Cyber Safety

Common forms of cyberbulling include:

• Flaming and Trolling: sending or posting hostile messages intended to “inflame” the emotions of others
• Happy-Slapping: recording someone being harassed or bullied in a way that usually involves physical abuse, then posting the video online for public viewing
• Identity Theft/Impersonation: stealing someone’s password and/or hijacking their online accounts to send or post incriminating or humiliating pictures, videos, or information
• Photoshopping: doctoring digital images so that the main subject is placed in a compromising or embarrassing situation
• Physical Threats: sending messages that involve threats to a person’s physical safety
• Rumor Spreading: spreading gossip through e-mail, text messaging, or social networking sites

If you are being cyber bullied, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

1. Don't delete the text, post, email, etc. Save it as evidence.

Click here to see how to save it on different sites (Youtube, Facebook, etc.)

2. Don't reply. Sending an angry response will only make it worse.

3. Contact an Adult:

• Your counselor
• An assistant principal
• Health Center counselor
• A trusted teacher
• Your parents

4. If the bullying includes a specific threat to yourself or someone else, contact the police.

Predators take advantage of [your] natural vulnerabilities, such as the need for attention. “Grooming” is the process through which predators play on these vulnerabilities by offering gifts and attention.

It does not happen overnight. Grooming can be a long process that a patient, tenacious predator has planned and perfected to gain your trust. This grooming may lead you to meet the person with whom you are chatting. Offenders will try to encourage a face-to-face meeting by:

• Exploiting natural curiosity about sex
• Lowering your inhibitions by gradually introducing explicit images and child sex abuse images
• Using his or her adult status to influence and control your behavior
• Offering attention and affection
• Betraying your trust by manipulating your emotions and insecurities

If you think you have a cyber predator stalking you, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

1. Don't delete the text, post, email, etc. Save it as evidence.

Click here to see how to save it on different sites (Youtube, Facebook, etc.)

2. Don't reply. Sending a response will likely encourage more unwanted attention.

3. Contact an Adult:

• Your counselor
• An assistant principal
• Health Center counselor
• A trusted teacher
• Your parents

4. If the predator threatens to approach you or hurt you, contact the police right away! Telling the police about a predator will help others avoid getting into a dangerous situation.

If you think a friend is being stalked by a cyber predator, there are some things you can do to protect your friend. Encourage them to: save the evidence, not to reply, and to tell a trusted adult.

Predators

Predators are always looking to collect information about their ... victims. This information may be used to identify, connect with, or manipulate... For example, if a [you] blogs about being misunderstood, a predator might provide a sympathetic ear in order to create trust and form a relationship. Predators may also try to encourage [you] into a sexual relationship by talking about sex, so [you] should avoid talking about provocative subjects with people they do not know.

Cyberbullies

Cyberbullies take their targets’ personal information and use it against them. They may copy and alter photos; share private e-mail or instant message conversations; and taunt their victims with emotional insecurities revealed in blogs.

Scammers

Scammers want to use [your] personal information to manipulate them. [If you] post e-mail addresses and phone numbers, [you] may be the target of spam, telemarketers, and e-mail scams.

College and Career

It is also becoming more common for coaches, college admissions officers, and employers to screen applicants by checking their online profiles and postings. An admissions officer’s decisions may be negatively influenced by a teen’s posts - for example, rude comments about teachers or inappropriate photos.

(Netsmartz.org, 2010)

• Use privacy settings on social networking sites.
• Make sure any photos or videos you use are ones you wouldn't mind parents, teachers, colleges seeing.
• Don't post your e-mail or home address or your phone number.
• Don't share your passwords
• Don't respond to any e-mails requesting personal information and to delete e-mails from unknown senders.
• Don't reveal your name or gender in your screen names or email address.

(Netsmartz, 2010)