A Message for Parents On Cyber Bullying

What are the effects on young people when they are bullied online?
Signs that someone is being bullied include changes in their sleeping and/or eating pattern or personality (e.g. they become withdrawn or aggressive), refusing to discuss what is wrong or hurting them and withdrawing from group
and other peer activities.

If young people are being cyber bullied they may feel:

• Depressed and rejected by their friends and other groups of people, especially if no one is backing them up
• Hopeless, afraid and unsafe
• Ashamed this is happening to them and no one is supporting them.

From our students - Here is what we know about being esmart!

(Parents- this is worth reading! It gives you some great tips for yourselves and your children)

• People can save your nasty comments or messages so don’t write comments that could get you in trouble from teachers or police.
• Don’t share your password with anyone, not even your best friend, only your mum and dad. They should know this to always help keep you safe.
• Use a nick name online; don’t write your full name.
• Never add random people that you have only met once or are not really close with.
• The first thing to do if you are aware of cyber bullying or inappropriate content like pictures or language is to tell your mum and dad or guardian. Save the messages or evidence by taking a photo of it, don’t delete it. Report any inappropriate comments or nasty content to the online site administer. They can shut the person’s account down but you need to tell.
• Do not post pictures of yourself in your school, sport or work uniform. People can work out what club or what school you belong to.
• Be careful of the information you share on Facebook, for example. People can locate you or figure out you’re not at home and then go and rob your house.
• Never go to meet someone you have been chatting to online.
• Think about yourself, “Would you want this said about you?” If the answer is “No”, then don’t say it about a person.
• You have to be very careful what you say to people on online social networking sites.
• Sometimes things can NEVER be deleted. You can delete a photo or something from your computer, years later it can come back to haunt you. You might not get a job because of something you have said online that was nasty or inappropriate.
• Don’t get involved or buy into “back and forth” comments and conflict. Wait until the next day and solve issues face to face with a person, not online. It will just spiral out of control and make things worse.
• If someone tries to involve you in cyber bullying, you say “NO!” As a bystander, you are still a part of the problem.

Remember you can find more information at the eSmart website - www.cybersmart.gov.au