Peter JohnsonPeter Johnson

NetSmartz411 Project ManagerNetSmartz411 Project Manager

National Center for Missing & Exploited ChildrenNational Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Cyberbullies use technology such as e-mail, instant Cyberbullies use technology such as e-mail, instant

messaging, cell phones, and websites to spread rumors and messaging, cell phones, and websites to spread rumors and

gossip, steal passwords to assume someone else’s identity, gossip, steal passwords to assume someone else’s identity,

post pictures of someone without their consent, and threaten post pictures of someone without their consent, and threaten

or harass with offensive language. The speed at which or harass with offensive language. The speed at which

information travels online can be frightening, and because information travels online can be frightening, and because

most people use aliases, Cyberbullies are hard to track. most people use aliases, Cyberbullies are hard to track.

Internet is almost universal among 12-17, rising slightly from Internet is almost universal among 12-17, rising slightly from 87% in 2004 to 95% by 2011. 87% in 2004 to 95% by 2011. (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)(Pew Internet Research Center 2012)

In November 2006 over 90% of teens used the Internet, but less In November 2006 over 90% of teens used the Internet, but less than half used a social networking site.  than half used a social networking site.  (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)(Pew Internet Research Center 2012)

As of July 2011 the number of teens (on the Internet) using a As of July 2011 the number of teens (on the Internet) using a social networking site was to 80%.  social networking site was to 80%. 

Of that 93% have an account on Facebook. 41% have accounts Of that 93% have an account on Facebook. 41% have accounts on multiple sites.on multiple sites. (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)(Pew Internet Research Center 2012)

90% of social media-using teens who have witnessed online 90% of social media-using teens who have witnessed online cruelty say they have ignored mean behavior on social media; cruelty say they have ignored mean behavior on social media; 35% have done this frequently. 35% have done this frequently. (Pew Internet Research Center, FOSI, Cable in the (Pew Internet Research Center, FOSI, Cable in the Classroom, 2011)Classroom, 2011)

80% say they have defended the victim; 25% have done so 80% say they have defended the victim; 25% have done so frequentlyfrequently

79% have told Cyberbullies to stop being mean and cruel; 79% have told Cyberbullies to stop being mean and cruel; 20% have done so frequently20% have done so frequently

Parents, educators, and law enforcement face special challenges when Parents, educators, and law enforcement face special challenges when it comes to taking action. it comes to taking action.

Anonymity. Anonymity. By using the Internet, Cyberbullies can choose to remain By using the Internet, Cyberbullies can choose to remain anonymous. This makes it more difficult to pinpoint the offender. anonymous. This makes it more difficult to pinpoint the offender.

Outside of school hours. Outside of school hours. Cyberbullying can take place outside of Cyberbullying can take place outside of school, which makes it more difficult for school personnel to prevent.school, which makes it more difficult for school personnel to prevent. Lack of school policies and procedures to handle cyberbullying.Lack of school policies and procedures to handle cyberbullying. School personnel may not have policies in place to guide them in School personnel may not have policies in place to guide them in dealing with a cyberbullying incident. dealing with a cyberbullying incident.

Varying law enforcement and prosecution responsesVarying law enforcement and prosecution responses. Cyberbullying . Cyberbullying is not a crime in all areas. This may limit the scope of resources law is not a crime in all areas. This may limit the scope of resources law enforcement can provide when a cyberbullying incident occurs. It also enforcement can provide when a cyberbullying incident occurs. It also makes it more difficult for law enforcement to take further action to stop makes it more difficult for law enforcement to take further action to stop the abuse.the abuse.

Avoids the computer, cell phone, and other technological devices or Avoids the computer, cell phone, and other technological devices or appears stressed when receiving an e-mail, instant message, or textappears stressed when receiving an e-mail, instant message, or text

Withdraws from family and friends or acts reluctant to attend school Withdraws from family and friends or acts reluctant to attend school and social eventsand social events

Avoids conversations about computer useAvoids conversations about computer use

Exhibits signs of low self-esteem including depression and/or fearExhibits signs of low self-esteem including depression and/or fear

Has declining gradesHas declining grades

Has poor eating or sleeping habitsHas poor eating or sleeping habits

Be Involved and ProactiveBe Involved and Proactive

Only 13% of parents know their child was bothered by Only 13% of parents know their child was bothered by something online. (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)something online. (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)

Only 7% of U.S. parents are worried about cyberbullying, Only 7% of U.S. parents are worried about cyberbullying, even though 33% of teenagers have been victims of even though 33% of teenagers have been victims of cyberbullying (Pew Internet and American Life Survey, 2011)cyberbullying (Pew Internet and American Life Survey, 2011)

In 2011, 18% of children 12-17 possessing cells phones have In 2011, 18% of children 12-17 possessing cells phones have received “sexts” received “sexts” (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)(Pew Internet Research Center 2012)

4% of 12 year olds4% of 12 year olds 20% of 16 years old20% of 16 years old 30% 17 year olds30% 17 year olds

17% of children who pay for their own phone sent “sext” 17% of children who pay for their own phone sent “sext” compared to 3% who’s parent/guardian pays compared to 3% who’s parent/guardian pays (Pew Internet Research (Pew Internet Research Center 2012) Center 2012)

Privacy ControlsPrivacy Controls

62% of teens most often have their social media profile set to be 62% of teens most often have their social media profile set to be private. private. (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)(Pew Internet Research Center 2012)

19% say their profile is partially private and just 19% say their profile is partially private and just 17% say their profile is set to public so that everyone can 17% say their profile is set to public so that everyone can

see it.see it.

Teens who have had at least one negative outcome from an Teens who have had at least one negative outcome from an experience on a social network site are almost twice as likely as experience on a social network site are almost twice as likely as those who have not had a bad experience to say that their those who have not had a bad experience to say that their profile is public, 23% vs. 12%. profile is public, 23% vs. 12%. (Pew Internet Research Center 2012)(Pew Internet Research Center 2012)

If your child receives harassing e-mails, have them delete their If your child receives harassing e-mails, have them delete their current account and open a new one. This new e-mail address current account and open a new one. This new e-mail address should only be given to a few people who can be trusted with it.should only be given to a few people who can be trusted with it.

If your child is receiving harassing messages through instant If your child is receiving harassing messages through instant messaging (IM), help them use the “block” or “ban” feature. This messaging (IM), help them use the “block” or “ban” feature. This feature can be used to block specific people from being able to feature can be used to block specific people from being able to communicate with your child.communicate with your child.

If you have found that a cyberbully has set up a website to defame If you have found that a cyberbully has set up a website to defame or mock your child, contact your ISP or the site administrator or mock your child, contact your ISP or the site administrator immediately. If necessary, inform law enforcement to try to get that immediately. If necessary, inform law enforcement to try to get that website removed.website removed.

Get your child’s school involved. Learn about the school’s Get your child’s school involved. Learn about the school’s cyberbullying policy and urge the administrators to take a stance cyberbullying policy and urge the administrators to take a stance against all forms of bullying.against all forms of bullying.

Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) or the website where Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) or the website where the abuse is occurring.the abuse is occurring.

Talk to your children about the possible consequences of sending Talk to your children about the possible consequences of sending

inappropriate pictures to anyone. Check your home computer and inappropriate pictures to anyone. Check your home computer and your child's cell phone for any pictures that can be misconstrued if your child's cell phone for any pictures that can be misconstrued if seen by others. seen by others. 

Contact the CyberTipline if you find that sexually explicit pictures of Contact the CyberTipline if you find that sexually explicit pictures of your child are being circulated.your child are being circulated.

Call law enforcement if necessary. NOVA ICAC - Call law enforcement if necessary. NOVA ICAC - 1-800-572-45101-800-572-4510