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Photo source: www.photoama.com ABUSE MAGAZINE 3750 East Rosser Avenue • Bismarck, ND 701-224-1876 “West River Transit encourages our youth to STAY Abuse FREE!” How Do Victims React? • Block communication with cyberbullies Contrary to what cyberbullies may believe, cyberbullying is a big deal, and can cause a variety of reactions in teens. Some teens have reacted in positive ways to try to prevent cyberbullying by • Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult • Blocking communication with the cyberbully • Deleting messages without reading them • Talking to a friend about the bullying • Reporting the problem to an Internet service provider or website moderator Many youth experience a variety of emotions when they are cyberbullied. Youth who are cyberbullied report feeling angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared. These emotions can cause victims to react in ways such as • Seeking revenge on the bully • Avoiding friends and activities • Cyberbullying back Some teens feel threatened because they may not know who is cyberbullying them. Although cyberbullies may think they are anonymous, they can be found. If you are cyberbullied or harassed and need help, save all communication with the cyberbully and talk to a parent, teacher, law enforcement officer, or other adult you trust. How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying? Teens have figured out ways to prevent cyberbullying. Follow in the footsteps of other quick-thinking teens and • Refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages • Tell friends to stop cyberbullying You can also help prevent cyberbullying by • Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and school administrators, to develop rules against cyberbullying • Raising awareness of the cyberbullying problem in your community by holding an assembly and creating fliers to give to younger kids or parents 923 E. Interstate Ave. • Bismarck, ND 701-258-8651 We are an ABUSE Free workplace. We support prevention efforts in our schools! • Sharing NCPC’s anti-cyberbullying message with friends Don’t forget that even though you can’t see a cyberbully or the bully’s victim, cyberbullying causes real problems. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Delete cyberbullying. Don’t write it. Don’t forward it. What Else Can I Do To Stay Cybersafe? Remember that the Internet is accessed by millions of people all over the world, not just your friends and family. While many Internet users are friendly, some may want to hurt you. Below are some ways to stay cybersafe: • Never post or share your personal information online (this includes your full name, address, telephone number, school name, parents’ names, credit card number, or Social Security number) or your friends’ personal information. 2717 Rock Island Pl. Bismarck, ND 701-223-3066 “BISMARCK Walmart is proud to be a drug free workplace! We care about our kids & community!” INTERSTATE Powersystems 3801 Commerce Drive • Bismarck, ND • Never share your Internet passwords with anyone, except your parents. • Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online. • Talk to your parents about what you do online. Kids, focus your energy towards an ABUSE FREE future and say NO to peer pressures! abusemagazine.org | North Dakota Spring/Summer 2014 | 35