Do your part to prevent cyber bullying

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.

Teenagers’ 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 them there.

Online bullying, called cyber bullying, 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. Cyber bullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens. Whether you’ve been a victim of cyber bullying, know someone who has been cyberbullied or have even cyberbullied yourself, there are steps you and your friends can take to stop cyber bullying and stay cyber-safe.
 
How Are Teens Cyber Bullied?
Being a victim of cyber bullying 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 cyber bully, 81 percent said that cyber bullies think it’s funny. Other teens believe youth who cyber bully
» 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 cyber bullies may believe, cyber bullying is a big deal and can cause a variety of reactions in teens. Some teens have reacted in positive ways to try to prevent cyber bullying by

» Blocking communication with the cyber bully
» 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 cyber bullied. Youth who are cyber bullied report feeling angry, hurt, embarrassed or scared. These emotions can cause victims to react in ways such as

»Seeking re-venge on the bully
» Avoiding certain friends and activities
» Cyber bullying someone back

Some teens can feel threatened because they may not know who is cyber bullying them. Although cyber bullies may think they are anonymous, they can be found.
If you are cyber bullied or harassed and need help, save all communications with the cyber bully and talk to a parent, teacher, law enforcement officer or other adult you trust.
 
How Can I Prevent Cyber Bullying?
Teens have figured out ways to prevent cyber bullying. Follow in the footsteps of other quick-thinking teens and

» Refuse to pass along cyber bullying messages
» Tell friends to stop cyber bullying
» Block communication with cyber bullies
» Report cyber bullying to a trusted adult

 You can also help prevent cyber bullying by

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

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

(Courtesy of National Prevention Council)