2. What is it?
• Cyberbullying is any
harassment that occurs via
the Internet. Vicious forum
posts, name calling in chat
rooms, posting fake profiles
on web sites, and mean or
cruel email messages are all
ways of cyberbullying.
3. Why Do People Cyberbully?
• Bullying has been around forever but cyberbullying is different because it lets a
bully remain anonymous. It is easier to bully in cyberspace than it is to bully face
to face. With cyberbullying a bully can pick on people with much less risk of being
caught. Bullies are natural instigators and in cyberspace bullies can enlist the
participation of other students who may be unwilling to bully in the real world.
Kids who stand around doing nothing in a real life bullying incident often become
active participants in online harassment.
• The detachment afforded by cyberspace makes bullies out of people who would
never become involved in a real life incident. The Internet makes bullying more
convenient and since the victim’s reaction remains unseen people who wouldn’t
normally bully don’t take it as seriously.
4. What Can Be Done About Cyberbullying?
• There are many things that can be done
to combat cyberbullying. The most
important thing a victim of
cyberbullying can do is not respond to
the bully. Do not play in to the bully's
games. Do not answer emails, do not
respond to posts, do not engage in a chat
room exchange, and do not copy what
the bully is doing. Ignore the bullying
and get help from parents and teachers.
While ignoring the bully be sure to save the evidence so that school officials, Internet
providers and even the police can properly deal with the bully. Cyberbullying may give
bullies anonymity but it always leaves evidence.
5. Can Cyberbullying Be Stopped?
• Schools take all types of bullying seriously. As soon as the cyberbullying starts go
to school officials for help. Cyberbullying is often an extension or escalation of
bullying that is already happening at school. Parents should also be told what is
happening. The police are unlikely to become involved if the bullying is limited
to a few isolated incidents or a couple of mean emails or instant messages.
However, if you get even one communication that includes a threat of bodily
harm or a death threat the police should be alerted. Be aware that urging suicide
is considered a death threat and the police will treat it accordingly.
6. Example of Cyberbullying
• A student is bombarded by anonymous threatening and taunting
emails at home, even though there is no direct harassment at school.
The victim has no idea who is sending the messages and starts to feel
like everybody is against them. That student is being cyberbullied.
7. Personal Trials
• We believe that cyberbullying is a problem that grows more and more common. It is a
means, I think, for those children who do not feel good about themselves and think for
some reason to feel superior abusing other children.
We think this problem has no absolute solution, but nevertheless can be controlled;
• All this depends of the authorities of the institution, as parents themselves.
