Cyberbullying
Students are spending more time online, and while some students may be at risk during online interactions with strangers, harassment from other students is far more common.
Unfortunately, many young people, as well as adults, do not know what constitutes cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is using technology in any way that hurts someone else, and may include:
- sending/sharing mean, hurtful, or abusive text messages or emails;
- posting/sharing embarrassing videos or images of others online (including private or sexual images);
- spreading rumours or lies about others online;
- setting up fake online profiles;
- excluding others online; and/or
- repeated harassment and threatening messages (cyberstalking).
Those who bully others may not realise that the things they write/post/share online are permanent. It is very important to remind your child that they could get into a lot of trouble with the police.
It is also important to talk to your child about what constitutes cyberbullying, and what to do about it. Those who are bullied often don't know what to do and how to respond, and so, they rarely seek help from teachers and/or parents and carers.
There are a number of very good resources that can help you learn more about what cyberbullying is, and what to do about it.