What is CyberBullying
Cyberbullying is anybody harassing children through the following ways:
- Instant Messaging/Text Messaging/Email
- Pictures through email or cell phone
- Blogs
- Social Networking Website (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter)
- Online gaming
- Impersonation others through the internet
Here is how kids today us the following methods for cyberbullying
Instant Messaging/Text Messaging
The internet and cell phones have become essential items for kids today. Kids can send message back and forth to each other in a matter or second.
- Send hateful and degrading messages
- Sends lies or rumors about your child to others
- Send degrading pictures
- Create fake IM screen names to harass others in your child's name
Blogs
Blogs are online diaries, journals, or whatever method of writing the author chooses. Kids can create blogs and start writing about someone they don’t like.
- Blog about who did make a sports team or cheer leading team.
- Who is and isn't in what social crowd
- Kids will also create fake blogs to harass others in your child's name.
The majority of blog sites are free and anybody can create on in just a matter of minutes.
Social Networking
Social networking sites (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc) have become very popular among both children and adults in recent years.
- Create fake profiles and use your child's name
- Leave nasty messages on the wall or through email
- Writes lies or rumors on their wall for everyone to read
Online Gaming
Online gaming has become very popular among kids and adults today. If your child is playing games online through Xbox, PS3, Wii, or any online gaming forum cyberbullying is a real possibility.
- Leave nasty or degrading messages through email or voice mail
- Get into the same game so they can harass while playing games
- Try to ruin your child's character or get them banned from the site
Impersonating others on the internet
The internet has allowed people to create web pages and blogs designed to embarrass others. Blogs and web pages may be created in your child's name for the sole purpose of hurting and degrading others.
- Social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter
- Creating a blog and writing for spreading rumors
- Online forums for degrading others