Cyberbullying is what we call it when someone uses a form of electronic communication, such as cell phone, text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, chat room, etc. to either harass or stalk someone else.

A common place for cyberbullying to occur is in chat rooms and e-mail. Often the bully pretends to be a friend to get the victim's guard down. A victim won't realize until it is too late that someone has tricked them into revealing private or embarrassing information, then used it to humilitate them by spreading it around (this is called "outing").

When someone sends mean, threatening, or inappropriate messages to someone, it is called "flaming". A "bash board" is a bulletin board that's sole purpose is to post hateful statements about others. Visiting a bash board to read the comments written about other students is just as harmful as writing them in the first place--the best thing to do is just stay away.

Cyberbullying can even occur by doing...nothing. How is that possible? When someone is deliberately singled out to be excluded from an IM or e-mail list, that is just as hurtful as any comments that might be posted.

Digital photos, especially taken through camera phones, can violate the privacy of the person whose photo is taken without their consent. When these photos are passed around or posted online, it is a particularly vicious form of cyber bullying.

Anyone can be a cyberbully, hiding behind technology to anonymously hurt someone else. Maybe you've even done it yourself! The fact is that over half of middle school students have either been a victim or a bully. Some people might think that committing cyberbullying is okay if you are getting revenge--it's not. Others might do it because they think it's a harmless prank--it's not. One thing is for sure: bullies like it best when they have a crowd watching their actions. Don't get caught up in watching someone else be hurt!

Here are some hints that cyberbullying is going on:

• mean, threatening, or lewd language
• insults
• serious threats, such as "Don't take the bus today or you'll regret it"
• frequency of the messages--bombarding someone with inappropriate messages

What you can do:

• if you know someone who is being victimized by a cyberbully, or if you, yourself are a victim, then tell an adult!
• never give out personal information online
• never tell anyone else your passwords (even friends!!)
• if you receive a bullying message, print it out and show an adult
• don't put anything online that you aren't prepared for the whole world--including your parents and teachers--to see
• don't send messages when you are angry
• never open spam
• if you read mean or embarrassing messages about someone on a web site or chat room, let the administrator know so that they can shut down the cyberbully.

• Advice from McGruff, the Safety Dog
• Cyberbullying.Org
• "Frequently Asked Questions about Cyberbullying", by Terry Breguet (available in the OHMS Library)
• Internet Super Heroes
• National Crime Prevention Council

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