Cyberbullying and online harassment

Cyberbullying and online Report cyberbullying to internet service Facebook - facebook.com harassment can be extremely providers - lots of content on social media that Twitter - twitter.com distressing. They can be classed as is offensive or upsetting is not necessarily a Instagram - instagram.com criminal offence. However, cyberbullying often LinkedIn - linkedin.com criminal offences but there is lots violates the terms and conditions established by Google+ google.com of help available to support you. social media sites and internet service providers. YouTube - youtube.com Report cyberbullying to the social media site so Pinterest - pinterest.com Tumblr - tumblr.com they can take action against users abusing the Snapchat - snapchat.com Tips to stay safe online terms of service. If you believe that you are the victim of an Think before you post - when posting or offence, always keep a record of the content, commenting on the internet, consider what by taking a screenshot, for example. If you are you say and what effect this may have. Never worried that your child or a loved one might be post comments that are abusive or may cause the victim of cyberbullying here are some signs offence to others. to look out for: Keep personal information personal - • Low self-esteem. do not say anything or publish pictures that • Withdrawal from family and spending a lot of might later cause you or someone else time alone. embarrassment. Be aware of what friends post about you, or reply to your posts, particularly • Reluctance to let parents or other family members anywhere near their mobiles, about your personal details and activities. Social media help sections can show you how laptops etc. Make the most of privacy settings - keep your to block users and change settings to control who can contact you. You can get advice and • Finding excuses to stay away from school or work including school refusal. chosen friends and family. support on using the following social media sites including the ability to report content to them. For further signs and advice visit bullying.co.uk Advice for parents and guardians Help protect your children online Advice for schools The internet can be a valuable resource for • Keep computers and games consoles in family Advice by the Department for Education: children, allowing them to connect with friends rooms where you can monitor activity. Also Preventing and tackling bullying and learn new things. But there are also make sure the games your child plays online Advice for headteachers, staff and governing risks when going online, and children can be are age appropriate. bodies can be viewed at gov.uk particularly vulnerable. Talking to your child is • Install parental control software or activate one of the best ways to keep them safe online. Cyberbullying Advice for headteachers and parental controls through your internet to school staff gov.uk By understanding the risks and keeping yourself prevent access to inappropriate content. up-to-date on the latest technology, websites and social networks you can help your child • ‘Friend’ or ‘follow’ your child on social enjoy the internet safely and securely. networking sites, so you can see how they are What can the police do? using them. For further help and advice, please click on the If we consider a message or post to be links to our partners websites, where you will • Check they are old enough to join any websites potentially criminal, we will take appropriate or social networks with age restrictions. action. This could involve arresting the person responsible or interviewing them under caution. be working alongside a range of charities on this • Advise your child not to post personal Cases involving sustained abuse or where important subject. information or any images they wouldn’t want someone’s life is threatened will be treated everyone to see. seriously. NSPCC • Avoid using nspcc.org.uk We will look at all of the circumstances when webcams unless considering the best response to a report of Cyberbullying UK talking to close cyber bullying. We will assess how vulnerable bullying.co.uk friends or family. the victim is and what resources are required to Consider covering trace the offender via social networking sites, Mumsnet your webcam when mumsnet.com which often operate abroad and to different it’s not in use. Kooth take action if the offender isn’t in the UK. kooth.com • Monitor your children’s internet usage, and be watchful for any secretive behaviour. We will work with the victim to bring about the Internet Matters most suitable and proportionate conclusion. internetmatters.org • Encourage your child to be open about what they do online and who they talk to. This could include alternative options that Kidscape kidscape.org Further advice is available for parents and discretion and working with the offender to carers of children at gov.uk record an apology to the victim.

Reproduced with kind permission of West Mercia Police