Cyber Bullying

Below are some things you can do to stop being harassed or bullied online:

Save It and Speak Out:

Sending inappropriate language is a violation of many web sites’ “terms and conditions.” Notify the site administrator of any violation. If someone sends a mean or threatening message, don’t respond. Save it as evidence and print it out. Also notify a parent, a teacher or adult about the harassment so that they can keep an eye out for in-school bullying. If you become the victim of a fraudulent profile and would like to have it removed, contact the site administer and alert them of the imposter account.

Block It:

Delete the person from your friends list, email list and/or personal profile.

Change It:

If someone has hacked into your email, computer or social networking profile, change your password right away. If someone continues to access your information, consider changing your username and/or email address.

Test Your Social Networking Smarts

Study this example of a typical social networking page. What on the page is potentially revealing material that could be used by an online predator or cyberbully?

Answer Key

A. Choose a gender-neutral screen name and don't let people you don't know find out where you live.

B. Don't give out your school name or where you work. Never post personal information like your home address, cell phone number or IM address. These are things only your real friends should know.

C. This is letting someone you don't know find out where you might be.

D. Photo with school names and logos can allow people you don't know to find out where you live and work. E. Posting where you are going to be lets EVERYONE know where you're going to be. F. There's a reason people keep their diaries locked. Potential predators and cyberbullies can use your inner feelings as a way to get to know you. G. Posting this is letting anyone know where he or she might find you. H. Only accept people you know in the real world as friends. The girl who says she's 15 could really be a much older man. I. Don't assume you're talking to someone your age with your issues. People may pose as teens and try to gain your confidence by picking up on personal issues you talk about in blogs. J. Always set your profiles to private to avoid letting people you don't know gain access to your private information.

Always set the privacy setting of the social networking sites that you use. This enables people to be added as your friend if you approve them, and people can only view your profile if you have approved them as a friend.