CYBERBULLYING PREVENTION

Today we are here to discuss an important topic which maybe familiar to some of you to a degree already: Cyberbullying.

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We also want you to know that what you say to us remains confidential and will be kept to ourselves unless you disclose to us three different things:

The first is if you give us reason to believe that you or someone you know are being hurt of have been hurt in the past. In this case, it is our job to get others involved so that we can stop the hurt and get you the help that you need.

The second is if you give us reason to believe you are a danger to yourself or others, and lastly, if there is reason to believe that someone else that you know is a danger to themselves or others.

All of this relates to our job of keeping kids, teenagers, and young adults SAFE.

There are multiple ways in which one person can bully another. Can we name some of them? (Discuss and then click)

Physical bullying –includes hitting, punching, kicking, hair pulling, and so on.

Verbal bullying –using your words to hurt or to harm another person ‐> could be direct verbal bullying, or through gossip and rumor spreading to do harm to one’s reputation

Emotional bullying is also called social bullying; could be leaving someone out, which is called social ostracism; can also include bullying that hurts someone by attacking their social standing and relationships.

And lastly we have cyberbullying….which is what we’re here todiscuss today.

Cyberbullyingis using tech to inflict willful and repeated harm on another person. It is also using technology for the posting or sharing of inappropriate, rude, or hurtful things about a person, or using tech to otherwise harass that person.

(play video)

Examples of cyberbullying include: the posting orsharing of malicious messages/photographs, gossip/embarrassing information, and the creation of negative or hate websites. The use of racial, cultural, or religious slurs are also a form of cyberbullying. And lastly, the creation of fake profiles to harass, demean, or harm someone or their reputation.

Now let me askyou a question: What is the difference between “joking” and “bullying?”

(allow audience to discuss this)

So I think we can all now agree, hopefully, that if we think before we speak, as society teaches us to do from a young age, we ought to also think before we post about the impact that our words will have on another and whether they will find what we may find funny to be funny too.

Let’s hear what some young people about your age have to say about cyberbullying… (play video and ask for thoughts and reactions)

Sowhy does cyberbullying still happen if we agree that words matter and what you say online is just as important as what you say in real life?

Why do we think that is? Why do people cyberbully?

(allow audience to answer and then show video)

Nowwe want to take the time to make an important distinction. People cyberbully, yes; but bullying is a behavior not an identity.

(Discuss if time allows)

Ultimately bullying is a behavior that is about power and control, but because it is a behavior, it can be unlearned. A person does not have to be a bully forever.

But thatdoesn’t make the consequences any less painful when you are cyberbullied. In fact, it’s different from the other types of bullying that we talked about earlier in several key ways:

‐ invasive; follows you home ‐ wide distribution; may be public ‐ could be anonymous ‐ disinhibition –people are more likely to say negative things online than to someone’s face ‐ statistically linked to higher depression rates

The consequences of cyberbullyingall hurt. Think about how you would feel as we watch the following video: (play video and discuss, then click and discuss the overlap of responses)

The consequences of bullying have what we call a rippleeffect, meaning that they build upon one another.

It can start at first with isolation and lead to depression / a low self‐image or self‐esteem. This can have the effect of lowering one’s academic performance or lead to poor school attendance ‐> all of this can help to foster a bullying culture in a school, a grade, a sports team, or whatever setting the bullying is occurring in.

Sadly, cyberbullying has sometimes been associated with suicide, which is the 3rd highest cause of death among 12 –18 year olds. (play video if time allows).

All of this is why we now want to talk aboutwhat to do if you are cyberbullied.

There are three, easy to remember steps:

STOP –BLOCK –TELL

Let’s talk about Stop –Block –Tell a little more

Stop:Do not respond of engage with the bully; also, do not delete the cyberbullying messages as you would need that later on to show a trusted adult and for making a report.

Block: Block the bully if you are able, and then report the incident(s) to a trusted person who is in a position to help you. This could be the adults in your life, like your parents or guardians, who may get the police involved depending on the severity of the cyberbullying.

You can also report to the internet provider or the social media website where the bullying occurred. And lastly, we cannot stress enough, it is so important to get support from friends, trusted adults, counselors, teachers, coaches, and even NOVA.

Now, another really important thing we want to highlightis that we are NOT all bullies! In fact, they are outnumbered and we can continue to outnumber them.

You have the power to help put an end to cyberbullying by respecting yourself and others through being what we call an UPSTANDER. (Discuss term).

Point out image, if time allows, as an example of the power of upstanders.

Discussion slide.

Key points and helpful hints:

‐ ifyou know about the cyberbullying, tell a trusted adult and do not share or otherwise spread any negative messages.

‐ If you know someone who is cyberbullying, talk with a trusted friend or better‐yet adult about the situation. If comfortable, you might let the bully know through assertive language that you do not find their behavior acceptable.

‐ If you receive a cyberbullying message about a victim, do not spread it but save it to show a trusted adult. Report the incident. Send out a positive message.

Talk about resources

NOVA supports and empowers crime victims in Bucks County Support 24‐hours on the hotline Website for further support

Monday –Friday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

1) Stop, block,tell 2) Talk to a trusted adult about the situation and report the website to the internet provider 3) Report it to a trusted adult and the internet provider

CALL 911! His safety is directly under threat!

Discuss

Recommendreporting the site to a trusted adult and the internet provider

1) Stop, block, tell; do NOT delete 2) Stop block tell 3) Trusted adult, parent, guardian, guidance counselor,teacher, principal, etc.

IMMEDIATELYtell a trusted adult and or have them help you contact the police because this is a self‐harming statement.

1) stop, block, tell 2) Thesocial media platform on which the fake profile is located