Cyber Bullying
Definition Cyber Bullying involves the use of electronic technologies to engage in repeated and/or
extensively disseminated acts of cruelty towards others.
FWISD Student Code of Conduct Students are prohibited from sending or posting electronic
messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s
reputation, or illegal. This prohibition applies to conduct off school property if it results in a substantial
disruption to the educational environment. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing
obscene, sexually oriented, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs will be disciplined
according to the Student Code of Conduct and may, in certain circumstances, be reported to law
enforcement.
Did you know?
15% had been bullied online; 10% by a cell phone
7% had bullied another online; 5% by cell phone
Source: Cox Communications (2009)
Traditional vs. Cyber Bullying
Children involved in cyber bullying are also likely to be involved in “traditional” bullying:
60% of victims of cyber bullying had been bullied in “traditional” ways and 55% of perpetrators
of cyber bullying had also bullied others in “traditional” ways
Exceptionally vicious and no escape for the victim
Harmful messages are widely distributed and incidents can involve large numbers of bystanders
Forms of Cyber Bullying
Cyberstalking- engaging in online activities that make a person afraid for his or her safety using
technology for control in an abusive relationship
Trickery- tricking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information for the intent to
humiliate or cause harm
Outing- sharing someone’s secrets or embarrassing information or images online
Flaming- an angry, hateful message
Exclusion- intentionally excluding someone from an online group
Impersonation- impersonating someone to make the person look bad, get the person in trouble
or danger, or damage reputation or friendships
Harassment- repeatedly sending offensive messages- direct bullying
Denigration- sending or posting cruel gossip or rumors about a person to damage his/her
reputation or friendships- indirect bullying
Leakage- when a teen intentionally or unintentionally reveals clues to feelings or thoughts that
may signal impending violence against self or others.
Victims of Cyber Bullying
Children who were cyber bully victims had the highest rates of anxiety, depression and school failure
and absences. Source: Kowalski & Limber, 2008
Questions Administrators Need to Ask
Is the behavior causing disruption or disorder at school
Are the materials is causing substantial interference with school operations
Does the student speech on web site disrupt the school community
Is there a direct link between student expressions and school disruptions
Safety Tips for Students
Never post cell phone number, address, social security number or name of your school
Be aware that information given out in blogs could put you at risk of victimization
Only add people to your site if you know them
Think before posting pictures; personal photos should not have revealing information
Never post cell phone number, address, social security number or name of your school
Be aware that information given out in blogs could put you at risk of victimization
Only add people to your site if you know them
Think before posting pictures; personal photos should not have revealing information
Suggestions for Victims of Cyber Bullying
Tell the person harassing you in straight forward terms, "Leave me alone, stop harassing me. Do
not contact me again."
Do not reply to anything else the harasser says. No replies to emails or lies said about you.
Save all interactions for evidence
In the case of email harassment you need to contact the harasser's ISP (Internet Service
Provider) and make a complaint.
If the harassment is coming from other students at the school, contact your school's
administration to see what action they would be willing to take.
Report it to local law enforcement along with copies of the materials that you have collected.
Encourage the victim to tell someone- maybe a teacher, school counselor or another trusted
adult at school. If the victim has been assaulted because of bullying, it maybe a criminal matter
requiring police involvement.
School Resources
Counselor
Intervention Specialist
Principal/Assistant Principal
Liaison Officer