Definition

watch the following video about what Cyerbullying is:

what is cyber bullying?

Video transcription

What is cyberbullying?

Technology can be a lot of fun, but there are some risks and threats we should be aware of.

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that takes place online. It can happen anytime, any place, anywhere, and on any platform, such as social media sites, messaging apps, and even computer games. It might start directly online, or it might be a follow-up from offline bullying, such as at school.

Examples of cyberbullying include saying hurtful things, spreading false rumors, leaving you out of things, posting photos or videos that make you feel bad about yourself, or making you feel different and alone.

Cyberbullying can be difficult to stop as posts spread quickly. By the time one is removed, there could be five more, and because social media is online all the time, it can all feel like too much. Someone who is being cyberbullied might start to think badly of themselves, feel sad, lonely, or nervous.

They might lose confidence or have problems at school or with friends.

So what should you do if you think you're being cyberbullied or if you know someone who is?

Cyberbullying is wrong.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your parents, teachers, or a trusted adult.

They can help support you and report what's happening to special reporting websites.

Don't worry, it won't get you in trouble.

They can also help with adjusting your privacy settings to stop unwanted messages from coming through, or so that only people you know and trust can see what you post.

It can be difficult, but try not to respond by sending the cyber bully similar posts or spreading rumors.

It will only make you fall into a horrible trap of becoming a cyber bully yourself.

Instead, make sure you're spending time offline with the people you care about.

No one deserves to be bullied in the real world or online.

By thinking carefully about what you post and taking a stand against cyber bullying, we can all enjoy safer technology.

Always.

Always. What is Cyberbullying? (CC BY)

Definition

Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies.

It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones. It is repeated behaviour, aimed at scaring, angering or shaming those who are targeted.

Examples include:

spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone on social media
sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages, images or videos via messaging platforms
impersonating someone and sending mean messages to others on their behalf or through fake accounts.

How do you tell the difference between a joke and bullying?

All friends joke around with each other, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if someone is just having fun or trying to hurt you, especially online.

Sometimes they’ll laugh it off with a “just kidding,” or “don’t take it so seriously.”

No bulling zone But if you feel hurt or think others are laughing at you instead of with you, then the joke has gone too far.

If it continues even after you’ve asked the person to stop and you are still feeling upset about it, then this could be bullying.

And when the bullying takes place online, it can result in unwanted attention from a wide range of people including strangers. Wherever it may happen, if you are not happy about it, you should not have to stand for it.

Call it what you will – if you feel bad and it doesn’t stop, then it’s worth getting help.

Stopping cyberbullying is not just about calling out bullies, it’s also about recognizing that everyone deserves respect – online and in real life.

Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0