Cyberbullying
So what do I do if I am being cyberbullied?
Cybersmart poster - 'You dont need a black eye to be bullied'
Schools or parents can make a difference
The problem does not need to escalate if reported
Reporting makes the technology safer for you to use, and shows you can handle it
What do I do if my friend is being cyberbullied?
- Help stop the cyberbullying!
- Stand up and speak out! Tell a trusted adult.
- If you see or know about cyberbullying happening to a friend, support them and report the bullying. You’d want them to do the same for you.
- Don’t forward on messages or pictures that may be offensive or upsetting to someone. Even though you may not have started it, you will be part of the cyberbullying cycle.
- Remember to treat others as you would like to be treated when communicating online.
What does cyberbullying look like exactly?
Cyberbullying feels as bad as bullying; in fact sometimes it feels worse...
- Abusive texts and emails
- Imitating others online
- Excluding others online
- Tagging others inappropriately
- Posting unkind messages or inappropriate images on social networking sites
“Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated actions by an individual or group intended to embarrass, humiliate or intimidate their victim.”
Donna Cross, Professor Child and Adolescent Health, Edith Cowan University
Cyberbullying feels as bad as bullying—in fact, sometimes it feels worse...
While cyberbullying is similar to real life bullying it also differs in the following ways:
- It can give the bully a sense of being anonymous
- It can be difficult to escape
- It is invasive
- It can occur 24/7
- You can be targeted while at home
- It can have a large audience-sent to many people at once, posted on a public forum
- You don’t get a chance to respond immediately
- People don’t immediately see the consequences of bullying
- It can be permanent
Call: 1800 880 176
Email: cybersafety@acma.gov.au
Follow: @CybersmartACMA
Like: acmadotgov
How Cybersmart are you?