Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
With the prevalence of social media and digital forums, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers as well as acquaintances. The content an individual shares online – both their personal content as well as any negative, mean, or hurtful content – creates a kind of permanent public record of their views, activities, and behavior. This public record can be thought of as an online reputation, which may be accessible to schools, employers, colleges, clubs, and others who may be researching an individual now or in the future. Cyberbullying can harm the online reputations of everyone involved – not just the person being bullied, but those doing the bullying or participating in it. Cyberbullying has unique concerns in that it can be:
Persistent – Digital devices offer an ability to immediately and continuously communicate 24 hours a day, so it can be difficult for children experiencing cyberbullying to find relief.
Permanent – Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life.
Hard to Notice – Because teachers and parents may not overhear or see cyberbullying taking place, it is harder to recognize.
Although all states have laws requiring schools to respond to bullying, many states do not include cyberbullying under these laws or specify the role schools should play in responding to bullying that takes place outside of school. Schools may take action either as required by law, or with local or school policies that allow them to discipline or take other action. Some states also have provisions to address bullying if it affects school performance. You can learn about the laws and policies in each state, including if they cover cyberbullying.
(Provided by the US Department of Health & Human Services, n.d.)
Cyperbulling help and hotline:
The Cypersmile Foundation has many resources to help people. They also have a help line if you are being bullied online and need to talk.
They have collated a selection of helplines that offer various levels of support for problems ranging from cyberbullying and revenge porn, to mental health and suicide prevention.
Although we do our best to monitor the effectiveness and reliability of any external organizations that we link to – we cannot accept responsibility for any problems resulting in the use of these resources.
STOP BULLYING NOW HOTLINE (USA) 1-800-273-8255
If you need help to know if something you put online is appropriate, go to https://www.cybersmiledigitalcivility.com/ and take the Digital Civility Challenge.
Helplines for various issues young adults face:
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE (USA) 1-800-273-8255
SUICIDE NATIONAL HOPELINE (USA) 1-800-784-2433
INTERNATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION (SPAIN & USA) 1-800-784-2433
NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION (USA) 1-800-931-2237
THE TREVOR PROJECT (USA) 1-866-488-7386
RESTART (USA) 1-800-682-6934
SMACtalk Resources for Parents:https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/research-and-technology/smactalk