10 DECALOUGES ABOUT CYBERBULLY Never post personal information

10 DECALOUGES ABOUT CYBERBULLY

• • • Never post personal information Always check the TO: field Don't be gullible Don't respond to an angry message with anger Never open messages from strangers Don't forward chain mails, hoaxes or long emails Use the BCC: field when forwarding messages Proofread your messages Beware of certain topics Don't post anything that is very private

1. Never post personal information This includes your name, address, phone number, school name, passwords, name of any team you play sports with, and any other information that would be used to try and contact you offline. This rule applies also to the personal information of others

2. Always check the TO: field Make sure that you are sending the message you are sending to the right person. Double check the spelling and make sure that you add your friend to your contact list of your email service or program. Many mailbox servers block out spam and your message may get caught up in the junk.

3. Don't be gullible Just because someone posts online that they are 13 years old, doesn't mean that they actually are. Or that a girl is really a girl, or a child is really a child. The problem with internet is that anyone can hide behind a computer, so you can never be sure who you are communicating with. We tell our own children never to accept any online friends that they have never met in person.

4. Don't respond to an angry message with anger It is best to step away from the computer and cool down. Think before you send a message. Spontaneous and emotional messages can turn out to be offensive and hurtful. More times that not, you will regret an angry message you may have sent. Sending angry messages, which threaten or harass another makes you a cyberbully.

5. Never open messages from strangers Your mother always said, � Don't talk to strangers on the street�. Well, the same applies to online communication. If you do not know who the sender is, delete the message immediately, no matter how curious you are. Not only can it be hate mail, but oftentimes viruses are sent this way.

6. Don't forward chain mails, hoaxes or long emails Although everyone likes to get fun emails, not everyone has the time or patience for them. Ask before you send jokes or long emails.

7. Use the BCC: field when forwarding messages If you decide to forward a message to more than one friend, use the BCC (Blind Copy) to list your email recipients. This way the receiver does not have to scroll through a long list of email addresses. This also serves as a security feature. Spammers can get a hold of email addresses this way and use them to send more spam to people who are not really friends.

8. Proofread your messages Read your message again and if there needs to be some explanation then add an emoticon or word it differently so that your message comes across as you want it to. Feelings may be hurt and backlashes taken if you are misinterpreted.

9. Beware of certain topics Keep in mind that internet is global and includes a mix of cultures, genders and ages. What is ok to say or talk about in the US may not be in China, Australia or Russia. Try and be respectful to others when discussing controversial topics such as religion, politics, gender, or war. People can get very emotional about them and, as mentioned before, emotions and internet do not mix.

10. Don't post anything that is very private If you have something really private to share, it is best to talk to the person face to face or on the phone. Mess ages can be misled or sent to the wrong person unintentionally and then be used by cyberbullies to harass you. If you are not willing for others to see it or read it, then don´t post it.

BONUS TIP: DON'T DELETE IT If you are attacked by a cyberbully, not only should you IGNORE him, but keep the messages. The more evidence you have, the more chances you have to stop the cyberbully. Save any messages and show them to an adult. The police, website or internet service provider will be able to use these messages to block an account or bring criminal charges if applicable.