CYBER BULLYING

INTRODUCTION:
Cyber bullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones,
computers,and tablets. Cyber bullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or
online in social media,forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or
share content. Cyber bullyingincludes sending, posting, or sharing negative,
harmful, false, or mean content about someoneelse. It can include sharing
personal or private information about someone else causingembarrassment or
humiliation. Some cyber bullying crosses the line into unlawful or
criminal behavior.
Cyber bullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target
another person. By definition, it occurs among young people. When an adult is
involved, it may meet the definition of cyber-harassment or cyber stalking, a crime
that can have legal consequences and involve jail time.
Sometimes cyber bullying can be easy to spot for example, if your child shows you
a text, tweet, or response to a status update on Face book that is harsh, mean, or
cruel. Other acts are less obvious, like impersonating a victim online or posting
personal information, photos, or videos designed to hurt or embarrass another
person. Some kids report that a fake account, webpage, or online persona has been
created with the sole intention to harass and bully.
Cyber bullying also can happen accidentally. The impersonal nature of text
messages, IMs. and emails make it very hard to detect the sender's tone one
person's joke could be another's hurtful insult. Nevertheless, a repeated pattern of
emails, texts, and online posts is rarely accidental.
Cyber-bullying has more than one definition, cyber-bullying can be defined as
"when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or
images intended to hurt or embarrass another person" or as "a situation when a
child or teen is repeatedly 'tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated,
embarrassed or otherwise targeted' by another child or teenager using text
messaging, e-mail, instant messaging or any other type of digital technology." The
last definition I gave refers only to teens or children because bullying through the
internet or cell-phones from adults to adults can be referred to as cyber-stalking
which due to word limitation I will not go into
Cyber stalking is a crime in which the attacker harasses a victim using electronic
communication, such as e-mail or instant messaging (IM), or messages posted to a
Web site or a discussion group. A cyber stalker relies upon the anonymity afforded
by the Internet to allow them to stalk their victim without being detected. Cyber
stalking messages differ from ordinary spam in that a cyber stalker targets a
specific victim with often threatening messages, while the spammer targets a
multitude of recipients with simply annoying messages.
Signs of cyber bullying:
Many kids and teens who are cyber bullied don't want to tell a teacher or parent,
often because they feel ashamed of the social stigma or fear that their computer
privileges will be taken away at home.
Signs of cyber bullying vary, but may include:
 being emotionally upset during or after using the Internet or the phone
 being very secretive or protective of one's digital life
 withdrawal from family members, friends, and activities
 avoiding school or group gatherings.
 . slipping grades and "acting out" in anger at home
 changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, or appetite
 wanting to stop using the computer or cell phone
 . being nervous or jumpy when getting an instant message, text, or email
 avoiding discussions about computer or cell phone activities

The most common places where cyber bullying occurs are:

 Social Media, such as Face book, Instagram, Snap chat, and Twitter
 SMS (Short Message Service) also known as Text Message sent through
devices
 Instant Message (via devices, email provider services, apps, and social
media messaging features)
 Email
Types of Cyber Bullying:

Cyber bullying is a worldwide problem and one that is growing fast! Because
cyber bullying can happen in a variety of ways, each of which needs to be dealt
with differently, it's important that you are able recognize them. In this blog post
we take you through the 10 forms of cyber bullying so that you have the
knowledge to protect your children.
1. Exclusion
Exclusion is the deliberate act of leaving you out. Exclusion is the deliberate act of
leaving someone out. Exclusion can happen in a number of ways.
 Your child might be excluded from friends' parties or activities.
 Your child's friends are having online conversations and tagging other
friends but not them. Your child isn't using social networking sites or doesn't
have a Smartphone and is deliberately excluded from conversations by
others because of this.
2. Harassment
Harassment is a sustained, constant and intentional form of bullying comprising
abusive or threatening messages sent to your child or to a group.
This is a very dangerous form of cyber bullying. It can have serious implications
for your child's wellbeing. The messages are generally unkind or malicious, can
impact their self- esteem and confidence, and can make them fearful. The constant
messaging means that there is no respite from the cyber bully. The cyber bully
makes extreme effort to cause fear and pain.
3. Outing
Outing is a deliberate act to embarrass or publicly humiliate your child or a group
through the online posting of sensitive, private or embarrassing information
without their consent. Outing can happen in a variety of ways and the information
revealed can be serious or trivial. Even reading out your child's saved messages on
their mobile phone can be considered aform of outing. Personal information should
not be shared and if someone reveals private information deliberately be sure your
child knows to report it as cyber bullying
4. Cyber stalking
This form of cyber bullying can extend to the cyber bully making real threats to
your child's physical wellbeing and/or safety. Cyber stalking can also refer to the
practice of adults using the Internet to contact and attempt to meet with young
people for sexual purposes. It is a very dangerous form of cyber bullying and can
have serious consequences if something isn't done immediately to stop it.

Effects of cyber Cyber Bullying :

Bullying, no matter whether it is traditional bullying or cyber bullying, causes

significant emotional and psychological distress. In fact, just like any other victim
of bullying, cyber bullied kids experience anxiety, fear, depression, and low self-
esteem. They also may deal with low self-esteem, experience physical symptoms,
and struggle academically. But targets of cyber bullying also experience some
unique consequences and negative feelings.
Here are some common feelings cyber bullied teens and teens often experience.
Feel overwhelmed. Being targeted by cyber bullies is crushing especially if a lot
of kids are participating in the bullying. It can feel at times like the entire world
knows what it is going on. Sometimes the stress of dealing with cyber bullying can
cause kids to feel like the situation is more than they can handle.
Feel vulnerable and powerless. Victims of cyber bullying often find it difficult to
feel safe. Typically, this is because the bullying can invade their home through a
computer or cell phone at any time of day. They no longer have a place where they
can escape. To a victim, it feels like the bullying is everywhere. Additionally,
because the bullies can remain anonymous, this can escalate feelings of fear. Kids
who are targeted have no idea who is inflicting the pain although some cyber
bullies choose people they know.
Feel exposed and humiliated. Because cyber bullying occurs in cyberspace, online
bullying feels permanent. Kids know that once something is out there, it will
always be out there. When cyber bullying occurs, the nasty posts, messages or
texts can be shared with multitudes of people. The sheer volume of people that
know about the bullying can lead to intense feelings of humiliation.
Feel dissatisfied with who they are. Cyber bullying often attacks victims where
they are most vulnerable. As a result, targets of cyber bullying often begin to
doubt their worth and value. They may respond to these feelings by harming
themselves in some way. For instance, if a girl is called fat, she may begin a crash
diet with the belief that if she alters how she looks then the bullying will stop.
Other times victims will try to change something about their appearance or
attitude in order to avoid additional cyber bullying.