Cyber bullying

                 
                            Cyber bullying is when a person, or a group of people, uses the internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to threaten, tease or abuse someone.

Cyber bullying

Why is cyberbullying different from other types of bullying?
Cyber bullying is a form of bullying, but because it happens online or on mobile phones, it can happen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are being bullied you can usually get away from the bullies at home, but if you are being cyber bullied you can’t get away from it. This might leave you feeling scared and unsafe when you are at home.

It can be difficult to know who is doing the bullying. People are able to cyber bully people anonymously by hiding their computer’s IP address, which could identify them, or their phone number.

The number of people involved in cyber bullying may also be much bigger than other types of bullying. If the bullying is happening online there could be lots of people who join in.

Is cyber bullying against the law?
Bullying is not specifically against the law, but harassment or threatening behaviour is. If someone is being mean or is threatening you, something can be done to stop them and you should report it.

How can someone be cyber bullied?
There are lots of ways that cyber bullies can target someone, some of which might be:

Email
Sending abusive or nasty emails to someone. The emails might also go to a group of people who may then join in the bullying. Sending emails containing inappropriate videos and other content, or computer viruses.

Instant messaging (IM) and chatrooms
Using instant messaging and chatrooms to send threatening or abusive messages to someone and asking others to join in. Using another person's account without their permission, to send abusive messages to others.

Social networking sites
Creating fake profiles for people in order to make fun of them. Using fake profiles to leave abusive messages on a person’s profile for others to see. Abusing or harassing someone through online multiplayer gaming sites. Find out more about how to stay safe on social networking sites.

Mobile phones
Sending abusive text, video or photo messages as well as sharing videos of physical attacks on individuals (happy slapping or blue jacking etc). Also sexting which is encouraging someone to share intimate pictures or videos of themselves and then sending these on to other people. Find out about sexting. Find out more about how to stay safe when using mobile phones.

Abusing personal information
Posting photos, personal information, fake comments and blogs or pretending to be someone online without that person’s permission.

What is sexting?

Sexting is when someone sends or receives a sexually explicit text, image or video on their mobile phone, usually in a text message.

It’s great to be able to share pictures and videos with your friends online, and see what they’ve been up to. Some people, however, might encourage you to send them pictures of yourself naked, or film yourself doing things that you may not be happy about.

It’s important to only do as much you feel comfortable with. Once these images have been taken and sent to others, you lose control of them and they can end up anywhere. Find out more about sexting.
I'm being bullied online, how can I make it stop?

Although cyber bullying can't physically hurt you it can still make you feel bad and is a form of emotional abuse. No one has the right you make you feel like this. It might seem that there is no way to make it stop, but there are things that you can do to prevent it from happening or make it stop.

• Talk to someone you trust like a parent or teacher. They can help you to sort it out. Or you can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 to speak to someone who can help you.
• Don't reply to any messages you receive, as this may encourage the bullies.
• Keep a copy of the abusive emails, texts or messages that you receive and when they were sent to you.
• Never give out any personal details on the internet such as your real name, address, age or phone number. Even telling someone which school you go to can help them find out information about you.
• Change your online nicknames or user ID to something different.
• Block email addresses and/ or complain to host website.
• Report the abuse through the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) website.
My friend is being mean to someone online and wants me to join in, what do I do?

People who cyber bully others, just like people who bully others in different ways, may try and make you get involved if they are bullying someone. Sometimes they may not realise that what they are doing is bullying, they might just see it as having fun. It is important to think about how the person that this is happening to could be feeling and what impact this could be having on them. You don't have to do anything that you don't feel comfortable with. Tell your friends that you do not want to be involved in what they are doing.

If you feel like you can't talk to someone or are scared about what they might say or do to you, talk to someone you trust. You can call us for help on 0800 1111 or contact us online.
What can I do if someone is bullying me through my mobile?

It's now quite easy for mobile phone companies to trace the identity of anyone who is sending nasty or abusive text messages. If you are being bullied and receiving nasty or threatening language on your mobile, tell an adult like a parent or teacher. They can help you put a stop to this. If it doesn't stop you need to tell the police.

All UK mobile companies are used to dealing with nuisance calls and will have people you can call who can help you deal with this.

• Don't reply to any nasty messages you receive.
• Keep the messages that you have been sent so you can show someone.
• Don't answer any calls that are from a withheld number, or from a number you don't know.
• Change your mobile number and only give your new number out to close friends.
• If the problem is serious, tell the Police or you can call us and we can help.

Mobile phone operators can't bar a particular number from contacting another phone, but you can do this on some handsets. Check your phone user guide to see if yours can. They can only take action about the bully's account, such as blocking it, if the police are involved.

The contacts for mobile phone companies are:

• O2: ncb@o2.com or 08705214000
• Vodafone: 191 from a Vodafone phone or 08700700191 (pay monthly) & 08700776655 (pay as you go)
• 3: call 333 from a 3 phone or 0870733033
• Orange: Call 450 on an Orange phone or 07973100450
• T-Mobile: Call 150 on a T-mobile phone or 08454125000

Find out about mobile phone safety.

Find out about staying safe online.

Read about other types of bullying.