CHAPTER 6 – Cyberbullying

Publisher Summary Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place outside of the usual reality of direct contact and is a method of harassment that typically involves a child, preteen, or teenager. These children are often the victims of torment as a result of being harassed, threatened, humiliated, or embarrassed as a result from another child or young adult who is using the Internet or an electronic method of communication to launch these types of messages. Cyberbullying involves a series of communications and often it can involve a death threat or a threat implying bodily harm. The harassment can often go both ways where both sides have access to the technology, often resulting in individuals reversing roles where victims become the cyber bullies. Several steps toward fighting cyberbullying include that minors should report any abusive messages to an adult right away; evidence, gathering, and archiving of messages, should always be retained so that there is no misinterpretation. It is also required to educate kids on appropriate behavior, whether it's by Internet or cellular phone and make sure that they are aware of the problems that can be created when technology is used to perform inappropriate behavior.