CyberMentors is a Beatbullying project - What is cyberbullying?

 

Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology, like the internet or a mobile phone, to deliberately hurt, humiliate, harass, intimidate or threaten someone else.

Cyberbullying includes things like:

• Sending nasty or threatening texts or emails
• Posting abusive messages online - on a social networking site, in a chatroom, or using IM  
• Posting humiliating videos or pictures online, or sending them on to other people
• Taking on someone else's identity online in order to upset them
• Bad mouthing and spreading rumours
• Setting up a hate site or a hate group on a SNS site
• Prank calling, prank texts and messages 

It can sometimes feel quite difficult to escape cyberbullying as bullies can use technology to target you at home or on your mobile, even if they're not right there in the room with you.  For the cyberbully, there's the problem that once you send a bullying message or post something online, everyone can see it, and you can't take it back.  Many cyberbullies think that no one will be able to find out who they are, but that's not true.

A lot of young people cyberbully deliberately - they set out to target another user online. But it's important to remember that some cyberbullying is done for a laugh, a bit of a joke. It doesn't mean it hurts any less, but often people just don't think about the consequences of their actions. And there is growing evidence that many young people don't take being online that seriously and hide behind anonymous profiles.

The most important thing to remember is that you should never ignore cyberbullying.  Report it, flag it, and talk to someone about it.  That's what CyberMentors is here for.

 

via cybermentors.org.uk