Cyberbullying Implications Responses Adrienne Katz Regional Adviser West

Cyberbullying: Implications & Responses Adrienne Katz Regional Adviser West Midlands

• Cyberbullying first emerged as an issue in 2002 (NCH) Threats or bullying by mobile or on PC experienced by 1 in 4 of 856 people, 11 -19 Exciting enabling technology but there are risks

Was this replacing age old prank phone calls? Or something more serious?

• In 2003 research confirmed this as a new form of bullying, although numbers were small (Oliver & Candappa) 1, 200 yrs 5 & 8 • 4% had received nasty text messages • 2% nasty emails • SHEU found 2% of nearly 10, 000 year 6 reported bullying via mobile phone

• By 2005: a picture of girls of 15 using phones for nasty messages (Sugar)* • 16% sent them, nearly 1/2 received them. • NCH: 770 people, age 11 -19, found: • 20% had experienced some bullying or threat via email, chatroom or text. • 14% text bullying • Internet chatrooms 5% and email 4%

In the NCH study: Almost ¾ knew the person, but 1 in 4 said it was a stranger. We began to become aware of risks. Same year: Goldsmiths College: 92 pupils From 14 London schools. Up to 1 in 5 experienced bullying via phone or net Picture clips, texts, emails and some chatroom bullying.

In 2005 Becta – 444 schools teachers in 25 LAs • 87% of teachers: no incidents in average month • 11% encountered between 1 and 5 per month • Less than 1% more than 11 per month • Older age groups and girls more likely. • 15. 5% of teachers did encounter 1 -5 incidents involving websites chatrooms or emails. • 83% of teachers: not aware of any incidents Was it being exaggerated? Are they telling? Discussion of types of cases seen

Complex video clips & ‘Happy Slapping’

• Adults slow to realise implications until teachers were targeted. • Dis-inhibiting effect of being unseen • ‘Remote’ • Humiliating – enormous reach • Teens not aware of electronic footprint left • Little robust research, media creates fear

Emerging Fear Media Hype Now: understanding evaluating responses practical steps MSN, websites, videoclips, social networking, outweigh emails and texts as ‘most hurtful’. Principles of bullying the same, but new tools greater power, secrecy and reach - humiliate

• Guidance - Childnet and CEOP • Protection from Crime and Harassment Act • Malicious Communications Act 1988 • Section 43 Telecommunications Act • Byron report • Work with providers • Blocking technology growing • Training for Safeguarding, netiquette, responses http: //wiredforsafety. org. gb/stalking/index. html

What is the most recent local picture? We all ask the questions in different ways so nothing is comparable. • In West Midlands figures ‘appear’ low but certain cases can be very serious. • Wide gap between adult/parent understanding and what young people say (Get I. T. Safe NCH & Tesco 2006)

• 30% bullied by mobile, by email or on the net • Of 2132 young people, well over 90% said it had never happened to them asked: ‘nasty messages or pics by text/email and nasty calls to mobile. ’ No net? • Are new forms not being captured? (small in-depth Midland survey August 2008 ongoing). (2007)

• 1/3 children regularly blog • 67% of parents don’t know what blog is • 46% of kids can get round parental blocks • 53% of children are unsupervised online • 78% of children use IM • 29% of parents don’t know what IM is Content, Contact, Commerce, Compulsion • (Get I. T. Safe NCH & Tesco 2006)

Excellent resources available www. teachernet. gov. uk/publications Ref DCSF-00685 -2007 www. digizen. org. uk Childnet CEOP Becta Byron report Local resources: Sandwell

Action points: what would you want to see? Educate adults – parents, carers, managers and staff in residential settings. Educate young people to be e-safe, consider e-footprint, the law, unsafe contacts, giving out personal data, hurting others. Develop better monitoring tools Evaluate what we do – Keep up!

• • • Start younger Look at clubs Social networking Websites, blogs Misuse of photos Embed ‘Safe To Learn’

Anti Bullying work is about • Inclusion • Participation • Equality • Rights • Citizenship How we want our communities to be

adrienne@abawestmidlands. org. uk