Cyber Bullying-How To Be Safe

Presented by: George Street Middle School

Beyond the Hurt

Could This Happen in Your Home?

O http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/Video.do?ident=cyberbullying-0

What is…O Cyber bullying is when a student is

being bullied behind a screen.O This can occur over text messages,

on the computer (chat rooms), or any other conversations involving technology that isn’t a face to face conversation.

O Even if your child is on webcam it is still considered cyber bullying.

“Sorrow can hide behind a smile.”

O Notice actions of your children (changes), Ex:O Locking their doors (bedrooms and

bathroom)O They are being more quiet then usual.O Ignoring being social in any way. Wanting to

stay home a lot instead of going to malls and other public places.

O (Only certain children) Have different eating habits, eating less, stop eating completely or indulging in their food (due to stress).

“Sorrow can hide behind a smile.”-Continued

O They complain often of headaches, stomach aches, or other physical problems 

O They have trouble sleeping or suffer from bad dreams 

O They want to avoid going to school and seem anxious when you discuss school with them

Time Effects EverythingO Here are a few other warning signs:O Their academics start to drop drastically.O They begin to tell you that most of their friends

are on-line friends. This tells you that most of their social interaction is on-line, so bullying would be more common in their on-line lives.

O They are easily agitated (or secretive and/or argumentative) when you check up on what they are doing on-line. (see skit)

O All of these warning signs can lead to very serious consequences including self-injury, depression, extreme anxiety and addictions.

Time to start talkingO Know what your child gets into, have

all their passwords, usernames and websites that they go on. You’re the parent so take charge and don’t let them say no.

O If you’re talking to your child about being cyber bullied and they say that they’re not being bullied, don’t ALWAYS assume this is true. (sometimes you can, but double-check with them)

Safe Websites?O Certain websites aren’t what they

seem…..O Omegle (chat rooms) this website

has webcams that a lot of users utilize to show inappropriate content. Also, PornHub, Chat roulette, Pen Island and RedTube.

O On Facebook there could be people pretending to be who they’re not and hackers are fairly common.

Texting and BullyingO Tell your child that they should not respond to the

bullying, but instead should save it to report to a parent.

O Consider having a cell phone use contract with your teen that forbids text bullying, including forwarding mean messages, even if someone else starts it.

O Encourage your child to think before sending messages, and not to send a message they wouldn't want everyone else to see since they don’t know if the person they send a message to may forward it to others, or if they are even texting the person they think they are.

O Help them block numbers that are sending mean text messages.

O Tell them not to let anyone else use their phone to send messages.

O If the teen knows who the bully is, let the bully’s parents know what they are doing.

Statistics of GSMSO 400 students were surveyed on cyber

bullying:O 90% say that their parents don’t know of

everything they do on-line.O 14% say their parents don’t know

ANYTHING AT ALL about what they do on-line.

O 88% say bullying is very common or somewhat common on-line.

O Only 8% tell their parents of every bullying incident on-line.

If This Can Happen At a School, Imagine What Could Happen On-Line

O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcowGVd6GqY&feature=related

The internet is often anonymous, impersonal and apathetic. No wonder some people don’t want to get involved in reporting on-line bullying.

This needs to change and we hope that this presentation has at least allowed us to take one step in the right direction.

Thank You Parents

OAny Questions?

O None of this means that your child can’t protect themselves or be cautious on the internet.

Remember…