Many young people experience aggressive and confronting behaviours online, and this becomes more common as students get older. 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. Even fewer students know what to do and how to respond, and so, they rarely seek help from teachers and/or parents and carers.

Cyberbullying is using technology in any way that hurts someone else, and may include:

• sending/sharing nasty, hurtful or abusive messages or emails;
• humiliating others by posting/sharing embarrassing videos or images;
• spreading rumours or lies online;
• setting up fake online profiles;
• excluding others online; or
• repeated harassment and threatening messages (cyberstalking).

Cyberbullying is a particularly challenging form of bullying for parents and carers and teachers to deal with, particularly when it occurs outside of class time. It is important to communicate to parents and carers that cyberbullying can often not be addressed by schools and teachers. This can be very frustrating for parents and carers.

Because schools can't always help, it is crucial to act quickly, and not wait for the school to get involved. Information posted online can spread quickly and be hard to remove, which makes this form of bullying particularly destructive and damaging. Like with any other form of bullying, it is important to know that the consequences for victims can be severe.  That is why it is important to encourage students and their parents and carers to seek help as soon as they can.

This Online Safety flyer has been designed for parents and carers and can be sent home as an email or in paper form. A printable, low ink copy has been provided also.