Blog
Digital Resources for Teachers: Cyber Bullying Facts and Prevention
Where can teachers find information on Cyber Bullying?
One of The Teacher’s Academy’s most popular course, Cyber Bullying Facts and Prevention, is loaded with digital resources for teachers. Cyber Bullying is a daily occurrence in most schools so it is important for teachers to be able to recognize when it is happening, and have the tools to stop it immediately. The Teacher’s Academy is happy to share our list of digital resources for teachers (and parents) so we can all have the information needed to address a variety of different bullying occurrences.
Here is a quick clip for our course: Cyber Bullying Facts and Prevention
“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” -Theodore Roosevelt
As you know, the Internet is a vast network of computers. Anyone can access this network, create Websites and add content to the Internet. It is an infinite resource of information, communication outlets, commerce, entertainment and much more. This great design of multi-networks allows the Internet to function so efficiently. However, it is also why the Internet is so difficult to manage and regulate. As a result, Internet crimes are rampant. Minimal regulation is only part of the infinite security issues the Internet presents for minors. The other is anonymity.
When a bully can hide behind their computer, create false accounts and feel sure that their identity will be unknown, the harassment that they unleash is uniquely disturbing. Every day more and more students fall victim to cyber bullying. It is our responsibility as educators to learn about the signs, facts and prevention policies of cyber bullying so that our students can learn in a safe and supportive environment.
How is Cyber Bullying Defined?
Bullying exists in schools and can be so detrimental to a student’s psyche that in extreme cases a victim of bullying has turned to suicide. Research shows that most bullied kids rarely tell adults or seek help. The advent of electronics has simply provided a bully with additional “upgraded” means of harassing students. Some forums such as Chat rooms and websites allow for anonymity. Exclusion from online groups and using vulgar language are also considered a form of cyber bullying.
Cyber Bullying must include participation of minors to be considered bullying. If adults are involved, the terminology shifts to Cyber Harassment or Cyber Stalking. When the perpetrator is an adult posing as a teen and luring them into sexual situations, this is not cyber bullying. It is exploitation of a minor and it is a Federal crime.
- Tactics of Cyber Bullying
- Typical cyber bullying tactics include but are not limited to:
- Posting or making a website with rumors or compromising information/ pictures about someone
- Sending hateful messages via text or Twitter
- Claiming to be another person and acting as them online in chat rooms, on Facebook, Twitter or other Social Media Outlets.
- Impersonating a friend to trick and get personal information
- Bombard with text messages, potentially running up a large bill
- Hacking into computers and spreading viruses
- Harassing and negative peer pressure via Social Media
- Excluding someone from online groups.
Where can teachers find facts and statistics about Cyber Bullying?
The following startling facts about Cyber Bullying are provided by Do Something.org
- Playground statistics – Every 7 minutes a child is bullied. Adult intervention -4% Peer intervention – 11%. No intervention – 85%.
- 1/3 of students surveyed said they heard another student threaten to kill someone.
- Nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online. 1 in 4 has had it happen more than once.
- 70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online.
- Over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.
- 68% of teens agree that cyber bullying is a serious problem.
- 81% of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.
- 90% of teens who have seen social-media bullying say they have ignored it. 84% have seen others tell cyber bullies to stop.
- Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.
- Girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying.
- About 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out 10 say it has happened more than once.
- About 75% have visited a website bashing another student.
- Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide.
- 80% of the time, an argument with a bully will end up in a physical fight.
What are the Warning Signs of Cyber Bullying?
Cyber bullying is one of the worst forms of harassment for many reasons. First, those in authority positions that can help rarely step up and fill that role. The victim usually keeps the bullying a secret in fear of embarrassment or worsening the situation. The parents claim they cannot keep up with their child’s technical interests and/or rarely see the bullying attacks take place. Parents will also often take the stance that this is part of growing up and it is important to let the child learn to fight their own battles. Schools don’t have much jurisdiction on events that happen off campus or after school hours. Police hesitate to get involved unless a crime has been committed. Unfortunately, all of this passing the bill has the child left to deal with this problem alone. Cyber bullying only gets worse when it must be dealt with it alone.
As educators and/ or parents, we can help victims of cyber bullying by recognizing the warning signs. Some warning signs of Cyber Bullying include but are not limited to:
- Child suddenly stops all computer and cell phone use
- Child fears going to school
- Child jumps or is nervous around cell phone alerts
- Child becomes depressed
- Child stops hanging around with friends
Learn more about the course: Cyber Bullying Facts and Prevention
Digital Resources for Cyber Bullying:
Ted Talk: Stop Cyber Bullying Before the Damage is Done
Media Smarts: Cyber Bullying Resources
Common Sense Education: What is Cyber Bullying
National Crime Prevention Council: Cyberbullying
You Tube: Cyber Bullying Facts
Getting Smart.com
The Teacher’s Academy provides professional development hours through relevant, online courses. Approved in most states, teachers can quickly and easily maintain their education licenses by completing projects like, lesson plans, customized classroom activities and education resources reviews. The Teacher’s Academy is a small company of teachers, happily serving teachers. Find state licensing information on our state webpage. Browse more courses on our course catalog page.