How Are Teens Cyberbullied?

If you’re like most teenagers, you spend a lot of time on a cell phone or instant messenger chatting with friends and uploading photos, videos, and music to websites. You may have online friends whom you’ve never met in person, with whom you play games and exchange messages. Teens’ lives exist in a variety of places such as school hallways, part-time jobs, and friends’ houses. Now many teens also have lives on the Internet. And bullying has followed teens online.
Online bullying, called cyberbullying, happens when teens use the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. Cyberbullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens. Whether you’ve been a victim of cyberbullying, know someone who has been cyberbullied, or have even cyberbullied yourself, there are steps you and your friends can take to stop cyberbullying and stay cyber-safe.

How Are Teens Cyberbullied?

Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience. Some youth who cyberbully

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others
• Spread lies and rumors about victims
• Trick people into revealing personal information
• Send or forward mean text messages
• Post pictures of victims without their consent

When teens were asked why they think others cyberbully, 81 percent said that cyberbullies think it’s funny. Other teens believe that youth who cyberbully

• Don’t think it’s a big deal
• Don’t think about the consequences
• Are encouraged by friends
• Think everybody cyberbullies
• Think they won’t get caught

How Do Victims React?

Contrary to what cyberbullies may believe, cyberbullying is a big deal, and can cause a variety of reactions in teens. Some teens have reacted in positive ways to try to prevent cyberbullying by

• Blocking communication with the cyberbully
• Deleting messages without reading them
• Talking to a friend about the bullying
• Reporting the problem to an Internet service provider or website moderator

Many youth experience a variety of emotions when they are cyberbullied. Youth who are cyberbullied report feeling angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared. These emotions can cause victims to react in ways such as

• Seeking revenge on the bully
• Avoiding friends and activities
• Cyberbullying back

Some teens feel threatened because they may not know who is cyberbullying them. Although cyberbullies may think they are anonymous, they can be found. If you are cyberbullied or harassed and need help, save all communication with the cyberbully and talk to a parent, teacher, law enforcement officer, or other adult you trust.

How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying?

Teens have figured out ways to prevent cyberbullying. Follow in the footsteps of other quick-thinking teens and

• Refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages
• Tell friends to stop cyberbullying
• Block communication with cyberbullies
• Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult

You can also help prevent cyberbullying by

• Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and school administrators, to develop rules against cyberbullying
• Raising awareness of the cyberbullying problem in your community by holding an assembly and creating fliers to give to younger kids or parents
• Sharing NCPC’s anti-cyberbullying message with friends

Don’t forget that even though you can’t see a cyberbully or the bully’s victim, cyberbullying causes real problems. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Delete cyberbullying. Don’t write it. Don’t forward it.

What Else Can I Do To Stay Cyber-safe?

Remember that the Internet is accessed by millions of people all over the world, not just your friends and family. While many Internet users are friendly, some may want to hurt you. Below are some ways to stay cyber-safe:

• Never post or share your personal information online (this includes your full name, address, telephone number, school name, parents’ names, credit card number, or Social Security number) or your friends’ personal information.
• Never share your Internet passwords with anyone, except your parents.
• Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online.
• Talk to your parents about what you do online.

For More Information

Check out the following resources to learn more about preventing cyberbullying:

• www.ncpc.org provides information about stopping cyberbullying before it starts.
• Stop Cyberbullying Before It Starts (PDF) provides useful information for parents.
• Cyberbullying.us provides cyberbullying research, stories, cases, downloads, fact sheets, tips and strategies, news headlines, a blog, and a number of other helpful resources on their comprehensive public service website.
• www.stopcyberbullying.org has a fun quiz to rate your online behavior, information about why some people cyberbully, and how to stop yourself from cyberbullying.
• www.wiredsafety.com provides information about what to do if you are cyberbullied.
• www.stopbullyingnow.com has information about what you can do to stop bullying.

All statistics from the 2006 Harris Interactive Cyberbullying Research Report, commissioned by the National Crime Prevention Council.

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Taking action against bullying

There are many different things you might be able to do if you are being bullied. As long as you don’t feel unsafe or physically threatened, you might try first to work it out yourself. Here are some tips that may be helpful, especially for verbal bullying.

* Ignore the person who is bullying you (including contact with him/her via mobile phone or email) – bullies are looking for a reaction and often lose interest if they don’t get one.
* Stay with others – stick to areas where you feel safe and hang out with people you trust. The person who is bullying you won’t pick on you as much when there are other people around.
* Stay positive and be confident – think of all the things you do well and try not to let the bullying affect your confidence.
* Keep out of the bully’s way – it might be possible for you to avoid the person who is bullying you, for example by travelling a different way to school, or avoiding the places that he/she hangs out.
* Don’t reply to bullying messages – it’ll only get worse if you do. By replying, the bully gets what he or she wants. Often if you don’t reply, the person will leave you alone.
* Ask for help – if the bullying doesn’t stop, you might find it helpful to ask someone else for advice. You should also report it to someone in charge – either at school or at work.

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UVA Today: Bullying in School

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Prevent Bullying: Quick tips for parents

Bullying is when a person tries to hurt someone on purpose, either physically or emotionally. Bullying usually happens over and over again.
There are different types of bullying, which include behaviors like:

• Hitting or pushing
• Name-calling
• Spreading rumors

Bullying can be done in person, on the Internet, or with cell phones. Talk with your child about bullying before you see signs of a problem.

Tell your child why you are concerned about bullying.

• “It’s hard to know what to do if someone is picking on you. If you ever have a problem, we can figure out what to do together.”
• “In our family, we believe that everyone deserves respect. When you say mean things, don’t let other children play with you, or push and hit others, that’s not being respectful.”

Play the “what if” game with your child.

“What would you do if:

• ...you saw someone getting picked on?”
• ...someone was spreading mean rumors about you?”
• ...you hurt someone’s feelings?”

Look for signs of bullying.

Talk with your child about what’s going on at school. Your child might be being bullied if he or she:

• Doesn’t want to go to school
• Has cuts or bruises
• Is acting unhappy or depressed
• Complains of headaches or stomachaches

Your child might bully other children if he or she:

• Enjoys teasing other kids
• Has a hard time controlling anger
• Is very rough or aggressive

Learn more about bullying.

Talk to other parents and your child’s school to find out how they handle bullying.

• Ask about the school’s policies on bullying.
• Talk to your child’s teacher or school counselor if your think your child is involved in bullying.

For more information about preventing bullying, visit:

• http://www.stopbullying.gov/parents/index.html
• http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html 

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Cyber Bullying Prevention: How to stop Cyber Internet Bullies.

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How To Stop Bullying

Bullying cannot be dismissed as a part of growing up. Though bullying takes place mostly among, children and youth, it is now prevalent among all age groups. It can take the form of physical and verbal bullying; and both are equally bad. It has far-reaching effects. Children, who are victims of bullying, experience emotional trauma, most of their lives. These scars even shape their outlook, later in life. They are more susceptible to anxiety disorders and low self-esteem. In extreme circumstances, it can even lead to suicide. By bullying others, people display their power over the other. This also helps them to hide their fear and cowardice inside. Bullying also results from bias – bias against gender, race, and culture. Bullies receive a sense of euphoria through their degradation of the weak. That is why bullying is often defined as “preying on the weak”. Recent trends include bullying in work place, through the internet and the cell phone. In the article below are tips to inform you on the various ways that you can stop bullying.

Tips To Stop Bullying

* Bullies feed on the weak. So, showing confidence, as resistance is the best way to counter the people who bully. But don’t start a fight as it will aggravate the situation. They will leave you alone the moment; they see that they can’t boss you around.
* The more you retaliate, the more fun the bullies get. So don’t retaliate. This will take the fun away, and the bully will leave you alone.
* If you see someone else getting bullied and feel powerless to stop, then don’t simply stand there. Inform the concerned authorities. You can never stop bullying if you ignore the bully, as he or she will feel stronger.
* Parents should keep their eyes and ears open to find out if their child is being bullied. Children, in general, tend to keep mum even if they are bullied. So, talk to your child about the happenings at school, and sooner or later you will come to know whether he or she is being bullied.
* Take immediate action. Don’t think that the bullying will stop after some time. It never happens. Inform the school authorities and teach your child the best way to avoid the bully. Once the children get the confidence, that someone is there, who will listen and help, they stop being vulnerable.
* If possible, talk to the bullies. In most cases, people who bully were themselves victims of bullying or abuse and neglect. They bully because they are afraid, as bullying gives them a sense of power.
* It should be understood that punishment cannot be the solution. It is better to lend a sympathetic ear and counsel him or her. Patience is a must, and you must never expect that a single talking session will reform a seasoned bully.
* If you see someone picking on another, then don’t just be a helpless bystander. Nothing encourages a bully more then to see people looking on helplessly. Speak up to him or her. However, don’t, badger the bully back as, it may lead to a fight. The decent thing to do is to protest against his behavior. Gradually, you will find other people joining you.
* If a person is regularly getting bullied, you can stop the bullying by not leaving him or her alone. Bullies tend to prey on lone victims. Cultivate a friendship and introduce the victim to your friend circle. Not only, you would have stopped the bullying but also saved the victim from emotional scars.

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Bullying: Tips for Students

This checklist provides suggestions for what kids can do when bullying occurs – written for students being bullied, students who witness bullying and the bullies themselves.

If you are being bullied...
Reach Out

Tell an adult. Sometimes you may have to tell more than one trusted adult.
Ask your friends to help you. There is safety in numbers.
Practice what to say the next time you're bullied with your parents, teachers or friends.
Be Cool in the Moment

Stay calm and confident. Don't show the bully that you're sad or mad.
Ignore the bully and walk away.
Remember: Fighting back can make bullying worse.
Change the School Community

Work with others to stop bully behavior; your whole school will benefit.
Remember: A lot of kids have to cope with bullying. You are not alone. No one deserves to be bullied.
If you witness bullying...
Interrupt It

Stand next to, or speak up for, the person being bullied.
Ask the bully to stop.
Comfort the person being bullied and offer friendship.
Get Help

Walk away and get help.
Find an adult who can intervene.
If you are the bully...
Make a Commitment to Change

Talk to an adult, like a teacher or parent, about how to get along with others.
Ask a friend to help you stop your bully behavior.
Apologize to the kids you have bullied.
Focus on Empathy and Responsibility

Think about what it feels like to be bullied -- would you want to be treated that way?
Before you speak, think about whether your words will help or hurt another student.
Change Your Behavior

Resist peer pressure to bully.
If you start to bully, walk away and find something else to do.
Remember: You don't have to like everyone around you, but you have to treat everyone with respect

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Kazdin: How to Stop Bullying

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Stop Bullying!! Feat. Demi Lovato

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Stop Cyber bullying and Defeat the Label

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Cyberbullying tips

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Anti Bullying Motivation

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18 ways Christians can deal with Cyberbullying…

18 ways Christians can deal with Cyberbullying…

1. Step away from the keyboard. When you are attacked, never respond immediately. Give yourself time to pray. Ask God to fill your heart with His thoughts and His words. This may take one minute, five minutes, or even a few hours. (Read: Prov. 29:20)
2. Re-read your post or tweet. Did you express yourself clearly? Could you be to blame for the misunderstanding? (Read: Psalm 19:14)
3. If you are wrong, say so. If you’ve misspoken or communicated in haste admit it. Don’t delete previous comments or flee from the conversation. God is bigger than your missteps. Truth transforms moreso than appearing right. (Read: Prov. 17:9)
4. Ask God for new eyes. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you supernatural eyes to see what your critic is going through. Open your mind to the Holy Spirit’s lead and ready yourself for God to turn a harsh encounter completely around. (This is SO much fun!) (Read: Prov. 15:1).
5. Don’t take it personally. Treat your critic as a smart and capable person. Picture God’s hands lovingly creating that person, sculpting, and molding them. Remind yourself that God loves that person deeply and that them showing up in your digital stream could be a divine appointment. Realize and respect that they have a journey you know nothing about and that pain likely fuels their anger.
6. Be realistic. Although your words can prove very impactful, don’t attempt to change an angry person in 140 characters. If the Holy Spirit leads, ask your critic to take the conversation to a Direct Message or email.
7. Model self-control. When you are online you are on a public stage. People see you being attacked and they see your response. God’s power in you is able to love even difficult people and give you self control. (Read 2 Timothy 1:7)
8. Remember where you are. This is not your home—it’s a war zone. Don’t allow the language, actions, and words of this culture to surprise you or mortally wound you. Hurt, lost people hurt other people but healed people (YOU) can actually heal other people. Stay in the game—in His power and in His name! Never forget the enemy has come to destroy, not just annoy. Satan’s guns are loaded and gunning straight for you.
9. Check your attitude. It sounds cliché but ask yourself: How would Jesus respond to this person? Learn to delete your words and upload Christ into the conversation. (Read: John 8:31)
10. Show respect. Instead of lashing out, tell your critic that while you don’t share his/her opinion, you respect their right to say it.
11. Pray for your critic. If the context is right, tell the person you will be praying for them. Add a smiley face (the smiley face covers many sins and seems to disarm quickly online) :) . (Read: Proverbs 18:21)
12. Seek first to understand. Instead of drawing battle lines, listen. Ask questions that dive deeper such as: “Tell me more, I’m listening” or “wow, sounds like you’ve had some pretty tough experiences in that area.”
13. Use the word “I” and not “you” when responding. Use phrases such as “I understand” “I am listening” “I see it differently” “I hear you” “I’m trying to understand.”
14. Be positive. Turn a negative comment into a positive. If someone says to you: “Life sucks and so do your sappy tweets. God doesn’t care about anyone.” Come back with: “I hear you, friend. Sounds like things are especially tough for you today. I’ll be praying you up big time! Bless you! :) ”
15. Use gentle humor or light sarcasm. If appropriate, lighten up the heaviness with humor like: “Wow, guess I hit a nerve. Here –> \_/ <— this cup of coffee is on me!”
16. Circle back. Once you’ve diffused a person and connected in a positive way, circle back in a day or two to say hello and connect with your new critic-turned-friend. This small, caring gesture can go a very long way.
17. Be kind but don’t compromise. You can be kind and lend an ear to an angry person but that doesn’t mean you change your biblical perspective just to win someone to your point of view. God’s not so crazy about lukewarm Christians. (Read: Revelation 3:16)
18. Don’t get abused. If a person shows no sign of mellowing, continues to curse profusely, or seems threatening, block or defriend them and move on. Let the Lord deal with them on His turf. (Read: Prov. 25:26)

No doubt, a conflict online can shake you up and rock your world. Going public as salt and light in a world feasting on a diet of reality TV and moral mediocrity isn’t for sissies. Expect a few zingers now and then. But also expect God to meet you in the fire, protect you, heal you, and build your heart even stronger for the next opportunity to show a difficult person the love of Jesus Christ.

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