Understanding the
Dangers of CyberBullying
Cyberbullying
is aggravated harassment transmitted
through technological means, such as
emails, text messages, cell phone
communications, or social networking
websites.
Cyberbullying through sending
harassing text messages, posting
things on sites such as Facebook,
Formspring, etc., and sending
harassing IM’s while somebody is
online.
LONG ISLAND CRISIS CENTER
24/7 CONFIDENTIAL & ANONYMOUS CRISIS COUNSELING
 Walk-in
 Hotline Counseling
 Online Counseling
Located in Bellmore
516.679.1111
www.licconline.org
No problem too big or too small
 SUICIDE OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS SUICIDAL
 SELF-INJURY
 FIGHT WITH PARENTS & KICKED OUT OF YOUR HOME (S.O.P.)
 LGBTQ ISSUES (Pride for Youth)
 FEELING STRESSED & OVERWHELMED
 ADDICTIONS
 FEELING ISOLATED & DEPRESSED etc……
Statistics
It is estimated that 42% of students have been
cyberbullied while online.
•
• It is estimated that 35% of students have been
threatened online.
• 58% of students admit that someone has said
something mean or hurtful to them online.
www.stopcyberbullying.org
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Are you a Cyber Bully?
Often, people who are victims are also bullies. Before you feel too bad for yourself, take the quiz to find out if you,
too, are part of the Cyber Bullying problem! Rate yourself on the following point scale according to if, and how many
times, you have done the below activities. Give yourself 0 points if you’ve never done it, 1 point if you have done it 1
or 2 times, 2 points if you have done it 3-5 times, 3 points if you have done it more than 5 times.
Have you ever...
___Signed on with someone else’s screen name to gather info?
___Sent an e-mail from someone’s account?
___Impersonated someone over IM or online?
___Teased or frightened someone over IM?
___Not told someone who you really are online, telling them to “guess”?
___Forwarded a private IM conversation or e-mail without the permission of the other person?
___Changed your profile or away message designed to embarrass or frighten someone?
___Posted pictures or information about someone on a Web site without their consent?
___Created an Internet poll, either over IM or on a Web site, about someone without their consent?
___Used information found online to follow, tease, embarrass or harass someone in person?
___Sent rude or scary things to someone, even if you were just joking?
___Signed someone else up for something online without their permission?
___Used someone else’s password for any reason without their permission?
___Hacked into someone else’s computer or sent a virus or Trojan horse to them?
___Insulted someone in an interactive game room?
___Posted rude things or lies about someone online?
___Voted at an online bashing poll or posted to a guestbook saying rude or mean things?
Risk factor for becoming a cyberbully
Now calculate your total score:
0 – 5 Points: Low Risk
Congratulations! Your online behavior is exemplary!
6-10 Points: Low-Medium Risk
Well, you’re not perfect, but few people are. Chances are you haven’t
done anything terrible but try not to repeat these behaviors, since
they are all offenses. Keep in mind the pain these behaviors might be
causing others!
11-18 Points: Medium Risk
You’re online behavior could stand to be improved. You may have hurt
others without realizing it. Keep in mind that these practices are
dangerous, wrong, and punishable. There are better ways to resolve
conflict than utilizing the internet to hurt someone.
More than 18: High Risk
You may need to ask yourself why you are engaging in this behavior.
Chances are it will escalate if you don’t put a stop to it now.
Remember you may have to deal with the consequence of your
actions later on.
How many of you have Myspace,
Facebook, or a Youtube account?
What is it about the internet that
allows people to sometimes say cruel
things and potentially be a cyber
bully?
You may think that all you are doing is
typing on a keyboard and sending this
message out online, and that you will
never see the results of your actions.
“How would I feel if someone said to
me what I am saying to this person?”
Whatever you put online the internet
stays there forever.
The authorities can discover what
computer you are using.
Harassment of any kind is a crime
punishable by law. There are new laws
that are being passed in the US that
address cyber bullying and you or your
parents can be charged with a crime.
Has anyone ever heard the name Ghyslain Raza?
How about his other name “Star Wars Kid”?
• One of the most viewed videos in YouTube history
back in 2002.
• Ghyslain never intended for anyone to see the video.
People continuously commented on
every flaw he had, criticizing him,
passing judgment, using nothing more
than a minute long clip.
He felt violated, helpless, and
tormented.
People have more of a tendency to
share “funny” clips with their friends,
comment anonymously, and be less
cautious with their privacy.
Their, “funny” prank ended up hurting
their own family and quality of life.
Phoebe Prince
• From Massachusetts, 15 y.o.
• Killed herself Jan 2010
• Harrassing messages found on her Facebook account and through texts
contributed to her suicide.
• 14 y.o., from Missouri
•Killed herself after a former friend’s
mom, who was upset by their falling
out, impersonated a fictional teen boy
who at first was friendly and posing as a
possible love interest.
• After gaining her trust he said “the
world would be a better place without
you.”
•States are passing laws that make
cyberbullying a crime.
 Suicide is a complex phenomenon, not just one thing usually makes someone
take their own life.
Usually when someone contemplates suicide, they have more than one
problem that they are struggling with.
One common feeling is loneliness and it can be very easy to feel alone and
isolated, when you are being cyberbullied. It can feel like everyone has turned
against you.
It can be a contributing factor and may have pushed these already vulnerable
kids over the edge
SEXTING
PHILLIP ALPERT,
An 18-year-old from Orlando, Florida, who was charged with a felony for
"sexting": texting a naked photo of his underage girlfriend to classmates
that didn’t get along with her.
He can’t leave the state without permission because he is on parole.
He lost his job and friends because of this.
He had to leave his parents home because the live nearby a school and
he could do jail time for living to close to a school.
“You will find me on the registered sex offender list,
next to people who have raped children, molested
kids. ”
He was arrested for dissemination of
child pornography – which essentially
means, he distributed an image that
could be considered child
pornography, because of the fact that
she was 16 and not an adult.
IF YOU ARE BEING HARRASSED ONLINE OR
CYBERBULLIED, YOU HAVE RIGHTS:
1. Contact the website on which you are being harassed
and file a formal complaint.
The person is forced to disable their account.
2. Talk to a trusted adult, especially someone in your school.
3. Go to the proper authorities
 Call the police, they have ways of locating the person
who is cyber bullying you. You also can get the legal
system involved and have your parents contact a
lawyer, if you feel that your life is being threatened.
4. Deal with the behavior in a non-aggressive way