Cyber Bullying Discussion

What is Cyber Bullying? Let's go to Wikipedia for an answer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying

Definition

The term "cyberbullying" was first coined and defined by Canadian educator and anti-bullying activist Bill Belsey, as "the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others."

Cyberbullying has subsequently been 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". Other researchers use similar language to describe the phenomenon.

Cyberbullying can be as simple as continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender, but it may also include threats, sexual remarks, pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech), ganging up on victims by making them the subject of ridicule in forums, and posting false statements as fact aimed at humiliation.

Cyberbullies may disclose victims' personal data (e.g. real name, address, or workplace/schools) at websites or forums or may pose as the identity of a victim for the purpose of publishing material in their name that defames or ridicules them. Some cyber-bullies may also send threatening and harassing emails and instant messages to the victims, while other post rumors or gossip and instigate others to dislike and gang up on the target.

Kids report being mean to each other online beginning as young as 2nd grade. According to research, boys initiate mean online activity earlier than girls do. However, by middle school, girls are more likely to engage in cyberbullying than boys do. Whether the bully is male or female, their purpose is to intentionally embarrass others, harass, intimidate, or make threats online to one another. This bullying occurs via email, text messaging, posts to blogs, and Web sites.

Though the use of sexual remarks and threats are sometimes present in cyberbullying, it is not the same as sexual harassment and does not necessarily involve sexual predators.

Cyberbullying vs. cyberstalking The practice of cyberbullying is not limited to children and, while the behavior is identified by the same definition in adults, the distinction in age groups is sometimes referred to as cyberstalking or cyberharassment when perpetrated by adults toward adults, sometimes directed on the basis of sex. Common tactics used by cyberstalkers are to vandalize a search engine or encyclopedia, to threaten a victim's earnings, employment, reputation, or safety. A repeated pattern of such actions against a target by an adult constitutes cyberstalking.

Our statements:

There seem to be several ways of spelling this word. The choice here is to use Cyberbullying as one word.

How can we stop it? How can we cope with it? What should we do when someone receives this treatment? What if it happens to you, where would you turn? If you see a friend being bullied online, would you help or turn away?

How can we stop it? There are numerous sites that offer help and suggestions, I have visited a few and have posted their links in the left-hand column here.

Most times it cannot be stopped unless a website owner steps in to moderate it but that rarely happens. If you are being bullied by text messages, you can report these to crime centers. Links also posted in left-hand column.

Coping with Cyberbullying can be difficult. No one likes to be made fun of, talked about in a vicious manner, ridiculed, or humiliated. Character Defamation can hurt even when you know that you are okay. Some people can handle these attacks better than others and bullies know what type of character to pick on.

When I see this happening to others, it makes my stomach turn because I know how it feels. I have been a victim many times in a social community. We hope to bring some suggestions in a compilation from what we have found through online searches Credit will be given to those sites that provide some quality information.

For my part, I cannot turn away and ignore seeing others being 'beat up' by cruel words from bullies. There needs to be more exposure of cyberbullying and perhaps we can get the attention of authorities who handle this type of harassment.

You are welcome to leave your comments and even to tell your story if you have gone through this type of situation. Maybe we can learn from each other and put a stop to this, making it a crime to harass.