Cyberbullying part 1
Tuesday 20 November 2007
Following the huge response to the cyberbullying campaign, n2k has decided to answer some of your questions and feedback over a two part feature.
In Part 1 we take a look at what is cyberbullying. Next week we look at how to deal with cyberbullying and the law.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that happens online, for example when you’re using instant messenger or a social networking site like Bebo, Facebook or Myspace. Cyberbullying can also happen via text or mobile phone.
Some of the ways cyberbullying happens is through:-
- Text messaging
- Picture/video-clip via mobile phone cameras
- Phone calls on mobile phone s
- Emails
- Chat rooms
- Instant messaging
- Social networking sites
Cyberbullies do things like exclude someone from an online group on purpose. It can also be when rude and angry messages or gossip are sent online.
Cyberbullying can also be when someone sends messages via text. It could be a message about another person or a video clip or picture of them that they would not want to be sent.
To test out if something can be classed as cyberbullying, put yourself in their shoes. If it would upset you then it’s likely to upset someone else.
The USA are already tackling cyberbullying - take a look at their Delete Cyberbullying advert...
It’s just a joke…
“even though it can be really bad, me and my friends have jokes all the time…but its not at all cyber bullying coz we know its not true and wer obvs. still friends. …. i DO think cyber bullying is bad, i just hope people dont confuse it with little insults and stuff that dont matter… all adults over-react to small little insults that arent bullying - its really annoying”
Having a sense of humour and bantering between friends is healthy and fun.
However it’s worth being aware that it can be really difficult to understand the tone of a conversation when it’s being conducted via text or on line. You may see it as a joke but others might not get the joke and feel insulted or upset by it.
Some actions like sending pictures or ignoring someone may seem funny or harmless, but could be very upsetting for some people.
You need to put yourself in the shoes of someone who is being potentially bullied - how you would feel if you got the same treatment? Perhaps you haven’t taken into account that some people are very sensitive?
Am I being bullied?
In the same way, if someone sends you what you feel is a mean text on your phone or on IM, it might be worth just stepping back from the situation for a while. You may over react and make the situation worse, or you might not react at all when something needs to be done. So go and do something else for a few minutes, come back then assess the situation again.
Does it make you feel really uncomfortable? If so then the best course of action might be to tell a parent or teacher or even a police officer it it’s really bad.
I’m not a bully…
“I was told on that quiz I was a bully.. but I'm not - I'm nice to everyone, just because I said if someone sent me a nasty comment on msn that I would find out what their problem is doesn't make me a bully, it means I'm just defending myself ."
Reacting doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a cyberbully but it does mean that you are adding to the problem rather than taking steps to make it better. Reacting to a cyber bully by sending back rude messages will make the situation worse, and means that you are sinking to their level.
Tell someone
Sending messages that are in anyway offensive, purposely excluding someone or joining in with any form of insult are all forms of cyberbullying or could potentially lead to a situation where someone feels like they are being bullied. Even ignoring a situation that can be perceived as cyberbullying is in some way excusing it. If you or someone you know is being cyberbullied, tell someone who can put a stop to it before it gets any worse.
If you want to get more information about cyberbullying, take a look at the Laugh at it, and you're part of it campaign page and let n2k know what you think about the issue.
