Cyberbullying

=What is Cyberbullying?=

"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

Cyberbullying is usually not a one time communication, unless it involves a death threat or a credible threat of serious bodily harm. Kids usually know it when they see it, while parents may be more worried about the lewd language used by the kids than the hurtful effect of rude and embarrassing posts. Cyberbullying may arise to the level of a misdemeanor cyberharassment charge, or if the child is young enough may result in the charge of juvenile delinquency. Most of the time the cyberbullying does not go that far, although parents often try and pursue criminal charges. It typically can result in a child losing their ISP or IM accounts as a terms of service violation. And in some cases, if hacking or password and identity theft is involved, can be a serious criminal matter under state and federal law.

=What Do I Do If I Feel Someone Is Cyberbullying Me?=

1. Do not respond to the person messaging you. You do not want to engage in messaging that can escalate the situation. 2. Immediately report the incident to Mrs. Gast, Mr. Whitby, and your parents. 3. Stay off of the site until the situation is resolved.

=How Can I Keep My Information Safe?= 1. Do not use your full name anywhere on this or any other site on the Internet. 2. Do not give out any personal information (address, phone number, email addresses, etc.). 3. Do not "friend" anyone on the Internet that you do not know. 4. Do not give out your username or passwords to anyone (Except Your Parents).

=Where Can I Go To Learn More About Internet Safety And Cyberbullying?=

[|www.wiredkids.org] www.stopcyberbullying.com