Cyber-bullying is very scary and on the rise. Not sure what cyber-bullying is?

• It is when pre-teens or teens bully using technology.
• Cyber-bullying is minor against minor.
• If adults are bullying it isn’t cyber-bullying, it is cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking.

“The dawn of social media brought with it a whole new way to interact, communicate, and even bully. But in this digital world where filtered photos and crafted messages can be posted in an instant, it often takes more time and effort to say something mean than it does to say something nice. Kindness requires no manipulation, no focusing on the negatives, and no filtering of yourself. It’s simply, truly nice. For social media users, we want them to THINK before the post. We want them to ask themselves if it is: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and KIND.” (source: www.pinkshirtday.ca)

Learn more about what cyber-bullying is.

The techniques that children use to cyber-bully are limited only by their imagination and access to technology; hateful websites that taunt and tease, hundreds of text messages that create huge bills, chatting on social sites using the victim’s name and sending out mass emails with hateful comments are some of the many ways to torment via technology.

Keep your child informed by encouraging them to practice the following.

10 Tips to Safe Cyber-Etiquette

1. Never attack others online. Don’t say anything online that hurts someone’s feelings, attacks one’s character, or invades one’s privacy online or offline.
2. Don’t pose as someone else and post under someone else’s name.
3. Don’t write, post or send anything when you are angry. Cool down and then re-read the message.
4. Don’t reply to anything created to offend, bully or insult you. This may be hard but, usually, the offender quickly becomes bored and stops if he/she does not get a reaction.
5. If your child receives hateful or threatening emails or texts make them aware that they are to tell you or their teachers immediately.
6. Don’t open strange emails that may be offensive. Delete without responding.
7. Install spam filters. Monitor your Child’s access to technology. What web sites or social sites/ chat rooms do they visit online? Are they receiving texts from unknown numbers?
8. Staying silent, when others are being bullied, is not okay. Don’t allow bullies to use your child to harass or torment others. Your child will be safer online and offline if the support for bullies is stopped.
9. Everyone has a right to use email, their cell phone or a social networking site without being harassed, insulted, hurt or embarrassed.
10. Don’t try to stop cyber-bullying with more cyber-bullying. Delete without responding – Ignore to beat cyber-bullies!

Let us know if you need advice in this important area or have a story to share.

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