Cyber Bullying

"As technology advances so do ways of bullying. Chat rooms, e-mails and text messages are the latest ways bullies are getting to their victims. Recent studies suggest that around 1 in 4 young people have been bullied or threatened via their computer or mobile phone." (Modern Menace - Connexions, Lincolnshire and Rutland)

Unfortunately, unlike 'traditional' bullying that took place (and still does) in the playground, cyber and text bullying can continue long after schools have closed their gates.

The Internet

Bullying on the Internet can happen in two ways:

by using e-mail
by somebody setting up a site with the intention to 'victimise' an individual or group of people

1. E-Mail

Some advice for children and young people:

do not open a message from any name that you do not recognise
tell an adult if you keep getting messages from names that you do not recognise
if the sender is known to you and has sent messages that have upset you in the past - ignore any new messages but tell an adult about it
do not share your e-mail with anybody other than those you know very well and can trust
choose a username for chat rooms that does not show what sex you are
if you are not comfortable or happy with messages that you read in a chat room - do not enter / leave the chat room

Remember you can never be really sure exactly who are are chatting with on the Internet!!!

do not give personal information - address, telephone, your school or your real name
do not send your picture to anyone that you do not know very well
it can be dangerous to meet anyone that you do not know

If you really want to then make sure:

you take a parent with you or other adult that you trust
you arrange to meet in a public place
you tell your parents/ carers:
- where you are going
- who with
- who you are meeting (making sure that they know thet you have first met this person on the Internet)

2. site victimisation

Some advice for pupils, young people and parents:

contact your ISP and notify them of the problem. The person repsonsible for the site then can then hopefully be traced
inform the Headteacher, especially if it is discovered that the site has been created by another member of the school community

Mobile Phones

TEXT BULLYING AND HOW TO STOP IT

Some advice for children and young people:

do not give your mobile number to anybody other than those you know very well and can trust
tell someone else about it - a teacher, parent, Peer Supporter, Connexions Advisor
mobiles can now be bought fairly cheaply - if you get abusive messages, it may be an option to get another phone rather than continue to use one that can cause distress
don't reply to any nasty messages
try to keep all of the messages in your phone - THEY CAN BE USED AS EVIDENCE - if you can't then note the dates and times and content of text messages
inform the Police - first you may want to talk to others you know you can rely on for support. Think about whether you want to talk to a member of your family, a teacher or a Connexions Advisor first? These and many more adults will be there to offer support for you to approach the Police
when you do notify the Police - make sure you have a written record of dates, times and content of messages, especially if you have not been able to store the messages on your phone