CYBERBULLYING... The Next Generation

Sign The Megan Pledge, and become part of the cyberbullying solution.

Sign the pledge

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. Most teenagers spend a lot of time on social web sites, cell phones or instant messengers chatting with friends and uploading photos, videos, and music to websites. And bullying has followed them online.

Online bullying, called cyberbullying, happens when people use the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images to torment, threaten, harass, humiliate, embarrass, or otherwise target another person.

“Once you put something online, you lose control of it. You can NEVER get it back.”

~NetSmartz.org

Cyberbullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens, according to some estimates. Whether you’ve been a victim of cyberbullying, know someone who has been cyberbullied, or have even cyberbullied yourself, there are steps you can take to stop cyberbullying and stay cyber-safe.

Sept 1, 2009 LORI Drew, the mother accused of using MySpace to taunt a teenage girl to her death, has had her landmark cyberbullying conviction overturned. Read more...

Missouri woman faces harassment charges after allegedly posting pictures of a teen in the 'casual encounters' section of Craigslist

Aug 19, 2009 Prosecutors say Elizabeth A. Thrasher put the 17-year-old's picture, e-mail address and cellphone number on the website in a posting that suggested the girl was seeking a sexual encounter. Read more...

Protecting Children From Cyberbullying...

What Every Parent Needs To Know

You are welcome to

print and share this PDF document

so long as it is printed in its entirety and includes the BAPA long and web site.

"Almost 80 percent of teens surveyed said that they either did not have parental rules about Internet use or found ways around the rules. "

~National Crime Prevention Council

How Are Targets 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

Learn about

Cox Communication's

"Take Charge"

program

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

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

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

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.
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.cyberbullying.us/index.php provides research and information on identifying the causes and consequences of online harrassment.

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

A portion of the above information was provided by the National Crime Prevention Council.