Be Kind Behind The Screen - Active Youth Association

DEFINITION

Cyberbullying, as defined by the European Commission, is a repeated verbal or psychological harassment (carried out by an individual or a group against others) through online services and mobile phones. In other words, cyberbullying is generally understood as bullying taking place on the Internet.

TYPES

1.

Online insults where a person is insulted in public, seen or heard by others

2.

Impersonation and reputation damage to someone

3.

Fraudulently obtained and disclosed personal information to others

4.

Rejection and non-acceptance in chat groups or social networks

5.

The spread of the rumors, arassment, threat to harm, stalking online

6.

Filming/taking pictures and uploading it to distribute violent acts online

RECOGNITION

SIGNS INDICATING THAT PERSON IS FACING CYBERBULLYING

Unpleasant feelings after using social media (anger, sadness)

Rapid mood swings (being sad, nervous or gloomy with no specific reason)

Avoiding to talk about what she/he is doing online, who she/he interacts with, etc.

Stopping to use computer/mobile and quitting social media

SIGNS INDICATING THAT PERSON COMMITS CYBERBULLYING

Exaggerated desire to use a computer

Use of different usernames, e-mails

Hiding and not telling about online activities

Aggressive behavior in real life

PREVENTION

WAYS TO PREVENT

1.

Give youngsters an informal definition and examples of cyberbullying

2.

Set up privacy controls and encourage others to do that

3.

Share famous people discussions about cyberbullying for youngsters

4.

Do not forget to log out of your accounts on public computers and remind youngsters about it

5.

Monitor online activity of your kids and loved ones

6.

Learn about apps and platforms youngsters are using

7.

Emphasize positivity – stand up for those who are being cyberbullied in public

8.

Educate yourself & others about possibility to report cyberbullying

HELPING TO FIGHT

SOLUTIONS EXIST, WE JUST NEED TO:

Assess the threat to the young person and his or her health

Find out who is harassing, in what way, how many people are involved, how long the bullying continues

Store evidencenad make copies of it

Inform all relatives of people involved in bullying about the situation

Inform the abused youngster and his or her parents about possible solutions and organizations that can be contacted

Provide emotional or psychological assistance to victims of cyberbullying

Inform about the consequences of cyberbullying

Protect youngsters from possible revenge (block harassers, change privacy settings)

CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

Cyberbullying can be addressed under civil law or criminal law, based on the situation. A cyberbully may be engaged in defamation. This is when the bully causes harm to someone’s reputation by spreading false information about that person.

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES

POLICE

After sending the information by e-mail, it goes to the Electronic Crime Investigation Board, which conducts investigations in fraud, threats and other areas.

STATE DATA PROTECTION INSPECTORATE

It ensures the protection of personal data. The Inspectorate may be contacted when the rights established in the Law may be violated.

NATIONAL CYBERBULLYING HOTLINE

In most countries, hotlines receive and process reports of illegal or harmful content /activity on the Internet.

RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR PEOPLE FACING CYBERBULLYING

Talk about the situation with someone you trust

Be kind behind the screen – don’t respond instantly and ignore or delete provocative messagess

Save the evidence

FOR EDUCATORS

Use team building activities when educating group of youngsters

Teach youngsters that it’s okay to report abuse

Develop activities that encourage self-reflection

FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILD IS FACING CYBERBULLYING

Discuss the etiquette of online communication with your child, so she/he would know what is not normal

Find out about their online friends. Who are they?

Don’t be a bystander, be a friend – talk with your child in informal way

FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILD IS BULLYING OTHERS

Keep the computer in a common area of the home

Remind or inform about the consequences of cyberbullying

Install blocking, content filtering, and tracking programs on your home computer

CONTACT US

Turn On Leaders

Mindaugo str. 23-88
Vilnius, Lithuania

+37064849302