What is a Cyberbully? Who are the Victims of Cyberbullies? see how much they are hurting the victims, they may think they have not actually hurt them much A cyberbully is someone who uses technology to or at all and may, therefore, continue the harass, embarrass, intimidate, or stalk someone harassing behavior. else. Some individuals may believe that there are no The methods used can include emails, instant rules in cyberspace. They feel free to do messaging, text messages sent via cell phones, whatever they wish. Moreover, they believe digital photos and all other means of electronic they have the RIGHT to do whatever they want communications. in cyberspace without suffering any consequences. The types of content a cyberbully may send Most victims of cyberbullies are children, but include the following: there are also adults who are cyberbullying Warning Signs Your Child may be a

victims. Victim of a Cyberbully • vulgar and argumentative message

• cruel, offensive, and insulting remarks Generally, cyberbullies will know their victim, but If your child exhibits the following, it may be a • threats and false promises occasionally they will pick victims they don’t warning sign: know. In these situations, the cyberbully is The methods a cyberbully could use to harass picking on someone based on a type of bias or • displaying signs of depression, sadness, the victim include the following: prejudice. They may pick on people based on anxiety or fear – particularly if these signs

religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or intensify after your child uses the cell phone or • posting of secrets or embarrassing people who are deemed “not cool.” after being online information, including pictures, for everyone to • avoiding friends, activities, or school see Other times, they will pick on someone based on • experiencing difficulty with school or a drop in • posting of gossip or rumors for the explicit a message that he/she has posted that the bully grades for no apparent reason purpose of damaging the person’s reputation doesn’t like. • expressing subtle comments that indicate your • distribution of messages pretending to be the child is disturbed or upset victim in an attempt to damage that person’s Why Can Cyberbullying be as Harmful friendships as Physical Bullying? What to do if a Cyberbully • alienation of the victim from online groups Many people erroneously assume that “words Targets Your Child Who are Cyberbullies? can never hurt.” In cyberspace, however, cyberbullies can strike anytime, anywhere, In some cases, a cyberbully can also bully in thanks to modern technology. As long as the face-to-face encounters. Bullying over the victims are online, they can be vulnerable to computer may be a natural extension of their cyberbullying. behavior. Many bullies pick on people for the feeling of Some people who become cyberbullies may be power that it gives them. Because the Internet the victims of bullying and are taking out their seems to give anonymity, cyberbullying is often anger and frustration in cyberspace. They may seen to have fewer consequences to the bullies, be targeting the people who bully them or they which can encourage them to be more may have picked a different target. aggressive. Retaliation may only escalate the problem. If you feel the need to respond to the cyberbully, help Still others regard cyberbullying as a game -- Another aspect of cyberspace that can lead your child develop an appropriate response, nothing more than a fun thing to do. cyberbullies to be as harmful as a physical bully asking the cyberbully to stop the behavior. is that cyberbullies aren’t physically there when they are harassing their victims. This can lead By filtering email, instant messages and text to a lessened empathy. Since the bullies cannot messages, you can cut off many of the ways the cyberbullies contact your child. By having your Additional Sites for more Information child avoid the sites and groups where the about Cyberbullying The Parent’s Guide attacks occur, he/she can ignore the bully. to Cyberbullies If the harassment continues, then you can change your child’s email address, Internet MS-ISAC: account, and username(s). www.msisac.org/awareness/news/2007-01.cfm

If none of these steps are successful, you may US-CERT: need to take additional action, as follows: http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST06-005.html

1) Compile a copy of all harassing Cyberbully.org: messages and postings. Save the www.cyberbully.org addresses of web sites where other hostile information, embarrassing McGruff.org: pictures or negative messages are www.mcgruff.org/advice/cyberbullies.php posted. The more documentation you have the better. Bully Online: www.bullyonline.org/related/cyber.htm 2) Contact your child’s school. Even if the cyberbullying is not occurring in school, National Crime Prevention Council: officials might be able to assist. www.ncpc.org/

3) If possible, contact the bully’s parents. National Cyber Security Alliance - StaySafe Send them a registered letter detailing Online: the messages and asking them to make http://staysafeonline.org/ the bullying stop. They could be held liable for financial and emotional damages. Disclaimer: These links are provided because they have 4) Finally, if the situation is not resolved, or information that may be useful. We do not warrant the accuracy of any information contained in the links and if physical threats are made, contact the neither endorse nor intend to promote the advertising of the police. resources listed herein. State of Michigan

Department of Information Technology www.michigan.gov

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