Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying – what it is and why it sucks

Cyberbullying is bullying that is done through the use of technology, for example, using the Internet, a mobile phone or a camera to hurt or embarrass someone. It can be shared widely with a lot of people quickly, which is why it is so dangerous and hurtful.

Why is cyberbullying so bad?

• A lot of people can view or take part in it.
• It is often done in secret with the bully hiding who they are by creating false profiles or names, or sending anonymous messages.
• It is difficult to remove as it is shared online so it can be recorded and saved in different places.
• It is hard for the person being bullied to escape if they use technology often.
• The content (photos, texts, videos) can be shared with a lot of people.
• This content may also be easy to find by searching on a web browser like Google.
• What does cyberbullying look like?
• Being sent mean or hurtful text messages from someone you know or even someone you don’t know.
• Getting nasty, threatening or hurtful messages through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, or through sites where people can ask/answer questions like Formspring or internet forums.
• People sending photos and videos of you to others to try and embarrass or hurt you.
• People spreading rumours about you via emails or social networking sites or text messages.
• People trying to stop you from communicating with others.
• People stealing your passwords or getting into your accounts and changing the information there.
• People setting up fake profiles pretending to be you, or posting messages or status updates from your accounts.

How it can affect people

• Feeling guilty like it is your fault.
• Feeling hopeless and stuck like you can’t get out of the situation.
• Feeling alone, like there is no one to help you.
• Feeling like you don’t fit in with the cool group.
• Feeling depressed and rejected by your friends and other groups of people.
• Feeling unsafe and afraid.
• Stressed out wondering what to do and why this is happening to you.

How to protect yourself

• Don’t share your private information like passwords, name and address, phone numbers with people you don’t know. Be cautious about sharing photos of yourself, your friends and your family.
• Don’t respond to messages when you are angry or hurt – either to strangers or people you know. This will often encourage them to continue or increase their harassment of you.
• Log out and stop messaging if you feel you are being harassed.
• Remember you have the option to block, delete and report anyone who is harassing you online and on your mobile.
• Find out how to report bullying and harassment on each of the different social networks that you use – see the Easy guide to socialising online for info on how to do this on different site.
• Keep a record of calls, messages, posts and emails that may be hurtful or harmful to you.
• Remember to set up the privacy options on your social networking sites like Facebook in a way you are comfortable with.

The Australian Human Rights Commission (1300 656 419) has a complaint handling service that may investigate complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying.