Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
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CYBERBULLYING
 Overview
 Understanding Cyberbullying
 Cyberbullying Advice
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Safe Social Networking
Sexting
Positive Online Behaviour
Resources
The use of Communications
Technology (ICT), particularly
mobile phones and the internet, to
deliberately upset someone else.
Cyberbullying: A whole-school community issue
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Today’s children and young people have
grown up in a world that is very different
from that of most adults.
ICT plays a big part of young people’s
activities and in the development of their
identities; always on and always there.
Information communication technologies
support social activity that allows young
people to feel connected to their peers.
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ICT is also being used negatively. When
children are the target of bullying via mobile
phones or the internet, they can feel alone
and very misunderstood.
They may not be able to identify that what is
happening to them is a form of bullying, or
be confident that the adults around them will
understand it that way either.
Previously safe and enjoyable environments
and activities can become threatening and a
source of anxiety.
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As mobile phone and internet use become
increasingly common, so has the misuse of
this technology to bully.
One study found that 22% of young people
reported being the target of cyberbullying
(Anti-Bullying Alliance in the UK).
Text-based bullying occurs through:
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mobile phones SMS
MSN messenger/chat rooms
social networking sites (facebook, myspace etc)
in-site chat areas
email
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Cyberbullying is not ok, tell someone you trust
Use the Cybersafety help button on the Cybersmart
website
Keep passwords secret and mobile numbers private
Do not reply to nasty messages and/or block the
sender if they are in your contact list
Call the Cybersafety Contact Centre on
1800 880 176
Report the sender to the messaging or email your
service provider
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Set sites to private
Only allow friends you know in real life to
have full access to your profiles
Avoid flirty or suggestive names
Do not post flirty or suggestive photos
Do not allow strangers into your private
networks
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Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit
images via mobile phones
It is a widespread issue that has serious
consequences for both the sender and the
recipient Images of young children may be
deemed as child pornography with legal
consequences
Once photos are sent, they cannot be
retrieved
It can lead to humiliation, cyberbullying or
even sexual assault
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There can be serious consequences with sexting
Never post or distribute sexually explicit images
of yourself
If receiving a photo, talk to a trusted adult about
it
There is real potential for predatory sexual
behaviour
Follow appropriate guidelines for mobile phone
and internet use—school policies and/or the
ACMA’s Phone Smart brochure
Everything you do leaves a digital footprint
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Positive online behaviour is the ability to
develop positive, appropriate and
constructive online relationships with peers,
family and strangers in a variety of mediums.
This includes:
appropriate online contact and
communication with others
consideration of issues such as cyberbullying,
problematic usage and unethical behaviour
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Ensure that all communication is respectful
Make sure that emoticons are used when
making a joke or being sarcastic
Be able to react appropriately when offensive
or hurtful communication is received
Develop skills for positive communication
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Let’s look at some resources