Online Bullying Online Bullying What are the signs

Online Bullying

Online Bullying • What are the signs and symptoms of online bullying. • What to do if your child is involved in online bullying situations. • How parents/carers can prevent online bullying.

What is Online Bullying? Bullying - behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, which intentionally hurts others either physically or emotionally. Online - using social networks, games and mobile phones.

Types of Online Bullying • Threatening behaviour • Abuse • Harassment • Shaming • Exclusion • Identify theft • Malicious damage • Non-consensual sharing of images/videos • Coercion.

Devices What devices are used for online bullying?

How is Online Bullying Different? Bullying - behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, which intentionally hurts others either physically or emotionally. Online bullying is any bullying behaviour that takes place ‘virtually’ via devices like phones and tablets. It can take place through online social networks and is also common on gaming sites.

How Common is Online Bullying? There is no clear picture • Some reports suggest online bullying is rare • Other data indicates 11% of 12 -15 year olds may have been bullied online • European data suggests 20% of teens have been bullied online

Sam’s story Play on You. Tube

Impact of Online Bullying Online bullying can cause a profound and negative effect on: • the person being bullied • the person carrying out the bullying • people witnessing the bullying. Being a target of bullying increases the risk of being depressed later in life by more than half. Being a bully also increases the risk of becoming depressed.

How to Recognise it? Signs and symptoms can differ from person to person, but if you notice something different about your child’s behaviour – talk to them about it.

Signs and Symptoms Signs may include: • Withdrawing from family and friends • Losing interest in activities they were once passionate about • Closing their computer, laptop or smartphone abruptly • A dramatic change in sleeping habits, either more or less • A dramatic change in appetite, either more or less • Self-harm.

What Should I do? If your child is experiencing online bullying: • Help them to keep evidence by saving or copying any texts or conversations received so the necessary people can investigate the bullying • Block abusive users • Follow procedures for reporting abusive content on social networks • Let the school know : online and offline bullying are often linked and so the bullying may also be happening at school • In cases of threats of violence or sexualised content, contact the police • Don’t retaliate to the bullying.

What Should I do? If your child is initiating online bullying: • Try to avoid responding angrily to your child. Instead, talk to them. Try to find out what’s behind their bullying. See how you may be able to support them in changing their behaviour • Engage with the school and work together to resolve the issue • Make sure your child understands the consequences if they continue their bullying behaviour • Consider getting counselling for your child to help them deal with any underlying issues. You can discuss this with your counselling service

How can Parents/Carers Prevent Online Bullying? • Maintain regular conversations with your child about their online life and behaviour • Monitor your child’s activities online • Use filters and blocking to protect your child from inappropriate content • Introduce a family media agreement that places limits on what your young person can or can’t do online.