Chapter_4_Lesson_2_-_Textbook_1.pdf

How is Technology Used to Bully? MAIN IDEA​ ​Cyberbullying is more difficult to avoid than face-to-face bullying. Cyberbullying uses electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullies use electronic technology to har...

How is Technology Used to Bully? MAIN IDEA​ ​Cyberbullying is more difficult to avoid than face-to-face bullying. Cyberbullying uses electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullies use electronic technology to harass people, threaten them, or spread rumors. Examples of the communication tools that cyberbullies use to send mean messages or spread embarrassing rumors, photos, videos, or fake profiles include: social media sites text messages e-mails instant messages chat rooms websites online gaming sites This type of bullying allows one person to bully another without ever seeing him or her in person. The person being bullied may not even be able to identify the cyberbully. Because of this lack of face-to-face contact, the bully might not realize how much his or her actions hurt the other person. Cyberbullying vs. Bullying Similarities exist between cyberbullying and other types of bullying. Both types target one person over and over again with the intention to harm or humiliate him or her. However, there are some important differences between cyberbullying and bullying: Cyberbullying can be anonymous and can be difficult to trace. Cyberbullying can reach a wider audience very quickly. Cyberbullying can be active at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures are extremely difficult to delete after they have been posted online or sent. These differences can make cyberbullying more difficult to avoid than face-to-face bullying. Teens who are cyberbullied have a harder time getting away from the behavior. In addition, teens who are cyberbullied may often be bullied in person as well. Effects of Cyberbullying Cell phones and computers themselves are not the cause of cyberbullying. You can use social media sites for positive activities like connecting with friends and family, getting help with school work, and for entertainment. Unfortunately, these technology tools are also used to hurt other people. With more adolescents and teens using technology, the opportunities for cyberbullying have increased. The School Crime Supplement from the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that 6 percent of students in grades 6–12 have experienced cyberbullying. Whether bullying is done in person or through technology, it has negative effects on a person’s physical, mental/emotional, and social health. Teens who are cyberbullied are more likely to: use alcohol and drugs. skip school. experience in-person bullying. be unwilling to attend school.  receive poor grades. have lower self-esteem. have more health problems. READING CHECK List​ What are at least three effects of cyberbullying on a teen who is being bullied? What Are SomeTypes of Cyberbullying? MAIN IDEA​ ​Cyberbullies use several types of technology to attack another person. Today, most people have access to technology whether it’s at school, home, or through community resources, such as your local library. Many teens also have a cell phone that they use to keep in touch with family and friends. Having access to these tools has many benefits. Using computers and cell phones, however, can also make you vulnerable to cyberbullies. The use of technology in everyday life has provided bullies with a number of new ways to attack another person. A cyberbully can use a computer to post false information on social media sites, in blogs, emails, and instant messages. Text messages can also be used. As the use of technology grows, the ways that cyberbullies attack others will increase. You may believe that you can avoid cyberbullying by avoiding the use of technology. However, as you get older, your use of technology will likely increase. Rather than avoiding technology use, think about what you can do to prevent cyberbullies from targeting you How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying? The best way to avoid becoming the victim of a cyberbully is to do what you can to prevent it from occurring. Avoid including personal information about yourself in text messages, email, or social networks. Another important rule to remember is that any photo that you post online will remain online forever. Even if you delete a photo, a person with good computer skills can retrieve the image. This includes photos that are sent via email, posted to a social network site, or sent via text. How Can I Stop Cyberbullying? When cyberbullying happens, it is important to write down and report the behavior so it can be stopped. You can take these steps to avoid being cyberbullied and to stop the cyberbullying cycle: Do not respond to cyberbullying messages. Do not forward cyberbullying messages. Block the person who is cyberbullying. Visit social media safety centers to learn how to block users. Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Write down the dates, times, and descriptions of incidents. Save and print screenshots, e-mails, text messages, etc. Report cyberbullying to your social media site so it can take action against users abusing its terms of service. Use your evidence. Report cyberbullying to Internet and cell phone service providers so they can take action against users abusing their terms of service. Use your evidence. Report cyberbullying to law enforcement. Cyberbullying can be considered a crime. Some state laws also cover off-campus bullying that creates a hostile school environment. Use your evidence. Report cyberbullying to your school. Cyberbullying can create a disruptive environment at school and is often related to in-person bullying. The school can use your evidence to help stop the behavior and develop its anti-bullying policy. READING CHECK Describe​ What are three strategies to use social media safely, respectfully, and legally?