Taking A Stand Against Cyberbullying

Parent Workshop

By: Amy Huber, Harold Fortunato, Irene Vickner, Robin Shelton, Linda Gardner, Angel Castro

Welcome and Introduction

93% of teenagers today spend 2 hours or more on digital technologies every day (Pew Internet, 2009).

1 out of 5 students are victims of cyber-bullying and suffer academically, socially, emotionally and psychologically (Pew Internet, 2009).

We’re here to help educate parents about cyber-bullying, and equip you to protect and intervene for your children.

Cyberbullying: The Facts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oGFh0mwrjM&feature=related

What is Cyberbullying? It is the use of electronic information and communication devices to bully an individual or group through personal attacks or other means. Being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using technological means. An individual or group that uses information and

communication involving technologies to facilitate, harassment and threaten an individual or group.

Cyberbullying Technologies

Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Youtube)

Cellular phones (text messages, phone calls) Email Instant messaging Chat rooms

Differences between Bullying and Cyberbullying

Bullying Cyber-bullying On School Property-------Off School Property Direct-----------------------Anonymous

Emotions determined-----Emotions undetermined Difficult--------------------Easier

Limited people------------Unlimited people

Cyberbullying types/terminology “Flaming”: Fights which occur online by using

electronic messages with angry and explicit language “Harassment”: Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and

insulting messages “Cyber stalking”: Repeatedly sending messages that

include threats of harm or are highly intimidating. “Denigration”: Sending or posting cruel gossip or

rumors about a person to damage his or her reputation or friendships. (Dissing)

Cyberbullying types/terminology “Impersonation”: Pretending to be someone else and

sending or posting material online that makes that person look bad, gets that person in trouble or danger, or damages that person’s reputation or friendships

“Trickery”: Sharing someone’s secret or embarrassing information online. Tricking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information which is then shared online

“Exclusion”: Intentionally excluding someone from an on-line group, like a ‘friend list’

Effects of Cyberbullying Depression Anxiety Social isolation Nervousness after computer/cell phone

use Lowered self-esteem Deficits in school performance Impaired health

(Kowalski, 2008)

Factors in Cyberbullying Students involved in traditional bullying

are more likely to be involved in cyberbullying

Students involved in cyberbullying spend less time with their families and more time involved in online activities

Students involved in cyberbullying are more likely to have a personal online account such as MySpace or Facebook

(Twyman, Saylor, Taylor, & Comeaux, 2010)

Three Roles in Cyberbullying 1. Your child may be the victim 2. Your child may be the cyberbully3. Your child may be the witness (bystander)

Your Child May Be a Victim…

If he/she unexpectedly stops using the computer

Seems nervous about receiving text messages or emails

Does not want to go to school/avoids social interaction

Seems angry, frustrated, or depressed after being online

Avoids talking about online activityRetrieved from www.cyberbullying.us

Victimization Emotional Symptoms

Headaches Worrying Unhappiness Nervousness Fear

(Dooley et al, 2010)

Victim Reporting… What did the student do after being

cyber-bullied? 40% did nothing <25% told cyber-bully to stop 40% chose to get away (i.e. log off) 6% took revenge on cyber-bully or bullied

others 10% informed adults/told friends(Li, 2010)

Students are more likely to report if they believe that something could be achieved by telling someone

Otherwise students feel helpless and that there is no easy solution or the situation can’t be fixed.

(Dooley et al, 2010)

Victim Reporting…

Issues in reporting: Not all assistance and support that adults

provide may be useful 46% of students who reported indicated

that things either got worse or there was no improvement in the situation

(Dooley et al, 2010)

Victim Reporting…

Your Child May Be a Cyberbully…

If he/she uses the computer excessively

Is secretive about their online activity and/or avoids talking about online activity

Laughs excessively while using the computer

Has multiple online accounts and/or uses others’ accounts

Retrieved from www.cyberbullying.us

Cyberbullying Offenders

This study surveyed a random sample of 4441 youth between the ages of 10 and 18 from a large school district in the southern United States. Data were

collected in February of 2010 from 37 different schools.

Questions asked in the Survey in Relation to Cyber bullying offenders:

I cyber bullied others I posted mean or hurtful comments about someone

online I posted a mean or hurtful picture online of someone I posted a mean or hurtful video online of someone I spread rumors about someone online I threatened to hurt someone online I threatened to hurt someone through a cell phone text

message I created a mean or hurtful web page about someone I pretended to be someone else online and acted in a

way that was mean or hurtful to them

20% of the students in our sample admitted to cyber bullying others in their lifetimes. Posting mean or hurtful comments and spreading rumors online were the most commonly reported types of cyber bullying they reported during the previous 30 days. About 11% of the sample reported cyber bullying using one or more of the nine types reported, two or more times over the course of the previous 30 days.

Cyberbullying Prevention

Techniques for Parents

Educate your Child Internet Safety Monitor your child’s activities Look for warning signs Teach and reinforce positive morals

and values

Preventing Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying Research Centerwww.cyberbullying.us

Cyberbullying Intervention Strategies

Top Ten Tips for Parents

Cyberbullying Intervention Strategies

Top Ten Tips for Parents1. Make sure your child feels (and is)

safe and secure.2. Talk and listen to your child about

the problem in detail.3. Thoroughly investigate and

understand the situation.

Cyberbullying Research Centerwww.cyberbullying.us

Cyberbullying Intervention Strategies

Top Ten Tips for Parents4. Refrain from immediately banning

media access.5. Contact the parents of the cyberbully

(if possible).6. Contact and work with the media

service provider

Cyberbullying Research Centerwww.cyberbullying.us

Cyberbullying Intervention Strategies

Top Ten Tips for Parents7. When appropriate, contact the

police.8. Talk to and/or alert other

parents.9. Apply firm consequences (if

your child engages in cyber-bully activity).

10. Work with your child’s school staff.

Cyberbullying Research Centerwww.cyberbullying.us

Quiz1. Victims of cyberbullying are at an increased risk for traditional bullying victimization, substance use, and school problems.

True or False?TRUE

(Hinduja & Patchin, 2009 “Quiz”)

2. Most victims of cyberbullying tell an adult (parent or teacher) about their experience.

True or False?FALSE

(Hinduja & Patchin, 2009 “Quiz”)

3. Research has shown that victims of cyberbullying suffer from anger, frustration, and sadness.

True or False?TRUE

(Hinduja & Patchin, 2009 “Quiz”)

4. Cyberbullying does not result in physical harm to victims because it occurs (and is contained) completely online.

True or False?FALSE

(Hinduja & Patchin, 2009 “Quiz”)

5. Research has shown that utilizing blocking and filtering software decreases the likelihood of experiencing cyberbullying.

True or False?FALSE

(Hinduja & Patchin, 2009 “Quiz”)

Additional Resources for Parents

Helpful Websites: www.cyberbullying.us www.i-safe.org www.stompoutbullying.org

Handouts

Workshop Survey

Please take a brief moment to provide feedback and complete a survey.

Thank you for participation!

ReferencesDooley, J.J., Gradinger, P., Strohmeier, D., Cross, D., & Spiel, C. (2010). Cyber-victimization: The association between help-seeking behaviors and self-reported emotional symptoms in Australia and Austria. Australian Journal of Guidance & Counseling, 20(2), 194-209.Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. (2009). Summary of cyberbully research from 2010. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved July 19, 2011 from http://cyberbullying.us/research.phpHinduja, S. & Patchin, J. (2009). Quiz: The Facts about Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved July 19, 2011 from http://www.cyberbullying.us/quiz.php?QUIZNUM=1Hinduja, S., and Patchin, J. (2009). Responding to cyberbullying: Top ten tips for parents. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved July 19, 2011 from http://www.cyberbullying.us/Top_Ten_Tips_Parents_Cyberbullying_

Response.pdfKowalski, R. M. (2008). Cyberbullying: Recognizing and treating victim and aggressor. Psychiatric Times, 25 (11). Retrieved from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/print/article/10168/1336550Li, Q. (2010). Cyberbullying in high schools: A study of students’ behaviors and beliefs about this new phenomenon. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma, 19, 372-392.

ReferencesPatchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2011). Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved July 19, 2011, from http://www.cyberbullying.us/ Stop Bullying (n.d.) Retrieved July 19, 2011, from http://stopbullying.gov/topics/cyberbullying/ Think Time: How Does Cyberbullying Affect You? (2010). Retrieved online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oGFh0mwrjM&feature=related Twyman, K., Saylor, C., Taylor, L. A., & Comeaux, C. (2010). Comparing children and adolescents engaged in cyberbullying to matched peers. CyberPsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 13(2), 195- 199. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/

pdfviewer?sid=a6dbeddd-17ed-4692-8dc0-099ddce5bb3e%40sessionmgr10&vid=4&hid=7Willard, N. (2010). Center for safe and responsible internet use. Retrieved July 19, 2011, from http://csriu.org/cyberbully/