Definition:
Cyber-bullying is when a child, pre-teen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. (Source: Stop Cyber-bullying website)
What it looks like:
Common forms of cyber-bullying include:
- Unpleasant text messages
- Posting nasty comments on social networking sites
- Setting up 'hate groups' about people online
- Conducting polls about people online
- Making prank or silent calls
- Writing blogs about people
- Passing someones phone number round to other people
- Sending insults, voice and video messages via online game chat facilities
- Getting a large group of gamers to gang up on someone within a game
- Stealing passwords and impersonation
- Sending viruses or malicious code by email
Support for pupils:
Pupils should be made aware of how to report abuse and who to talk to at school or at home about it. The following websites offer more advice and support:
Stop Cyber-bullying
Beat Bullying
Bullying UK
Childline