Cyber Bullying

Contributed by Mollie Swadkins

All resources in the "Safeguarding Resources" section of our resource bank have been submitted by delegates on our Level 2 Safeguarding Online courses. For more information about this practical, self-paced course, please visit

http://www.pivotaleducation.com/level-2-safeguarding-online-for-schools/and

http://www.pivotaleducation.com/level-2-safeguarding-online-for-colleges/

This resource is intended to be used as a presentation during staff training on safeguarding and child protection

tackling the issue of cyber-bullying. This presentation would be useful for all teaching and support staff. It can

also be printed and used as a hand-out so that staff can refer back to it once their training has been completed.

The presentation highlights the importance of recognising and monitoring the issue of cyber-bullying which can

sometimes be overlooked as a safeguarding and child protection issue. After explaining what cyber-bullying is

and some of the ways in which children can be cyber-bullied it goes on to list the emotional and behavioural

signs to look out for that may suggest a child is a victim of cyber-bullying. It then ends with top tips that can be

communicated to the children to encourage cyber safety.

Cyber-BullyingRecognising the threat and importance of monitoring the use of

technological media

Cyber-Bullying

Safeguarding issues are usually assumed to be related to the threat of adults abusing children.

Due to the technological advances in todays society Cyber-Bullying has highlighted a fairly new aspect of abuse, child-on-child abuse.

Bullying does NOT have to be of a physical nature to constitute as a form of abuse. Cyber-bullying is largely abuse of an emotional nature which is just as important to recognise and monitor.

So what is Cyber-Bullying?

Cyber-bullying is when either a person uses a form of technology to threaten or humiliate another person.

It is quite common for a group of people to target a victim and use various forms of technology to post threatening messages.

Cyber-bullying is often not as public as ‘traditional’ face-to-face bullying which causes more of a risk of the act going un-noticed.

Can be used to send upsetting messages.

Instant Messengers are often used to get other people to be quickly involved in the bullying. People laughing at already posted comments can become part of the problem.

Fake profiles have been made to make fun of people. People who also add comments to already posted abuse can cause more trouble then help.

Most social networks, emails, instant messengers are now available on our mobile phones which can increase vulnerability and the risk of being exposed to cyber-bullying.

Recognising the Signs of Cyber-BullyingEMOTIONAL SIGNS

Withdrawn

Signs of depression

Agitated

Anxious

Aggressive behaviour

ACADEMIC SIGNS

Doesn’t want to go to school

Gets into trouble

Skips school

Drops in grades

Loses interest

Recognising the Signs of Cyber-Bullying

SOCIAL & BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS

Suddenly stops using technology

Doesn’t want to take part in activities

Self-harm

Threats of suicide

Change of friends

Recognising Cyber-Bullying in Practise

SIGNS THAT A PERSON MAY BE CYBER-BULLYING OTHERS

Stops using computer when somebody comes near-by.

Turns screen off suddenly when somebody enters room.

Appears nervous when using phone or computer

Keeps their actions on computer and phone secretive

Spends most of their time on technology devices

Becomes annoyed when technology devices are taken away

Top tips to teach

Don’t respond.

SAVE the evidence.

Use the available tools to help yourself. (Most social networking sites and applications allow you to block a person and report a problem.)

Reach out for HELP.

Be a friend. (If your friend has become a victim of cyber-bullying, try to help by reporting it to a trusted adult.)