Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying? Formally, we define it as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.

  • Willful: The behavior has to be deliberate, not accidental.

  • Repeated: Bullying reflects a pattern of behavior, not just one isolated incident.

  • Harm: The target must perceive that harm was inflicted.

  • Computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices: This, of course, is what differentiates cyberbullying from traditional bullying

HB 1942 Texas Law against CyberBullying 

What does CyberBullying look like?

  • insulting, harassing, humiliating, embarrassing, threatening wall posts.

  • slam pages via profile, blog site, YouTube, etc.

  • pic placed on voting site.

  • profile on anonymous response site (formspring.me).

  • insulting/harassing emails, IM's, texts.

  • fake profiles for humiliation.

  • fake profiles for fake relationships.

  • digital correspondence nurturing "fake" friendship, then turn & burn [Ryan Halligan].

  • "Trolling" - provoking others into desired emotional response (push buttons) [Alexis Pilkington].

  • "Flaming" - "subtle" trolling that induces emotionally intense convo [gaming].

     

Why do people CyberBully?

  • Think it's funny.

  • Think it's not a big deal.

  • Can't fathom the consequences.

  • Prodded by friends.

  • Think everybody does it.

  • Think they won't get caught.

Who gets CyberBullied?

  • 20% of 10-18 year olds.

  • Marginalized students.

  • Social opponents/threats.

Of those who've been CyberBullied...

  • 45.5% felt Angry.

  • 31% said it didn't bother them.

  • 69% were emotionally affected - Therefore, we must help youth develop positive coping skills.