T I P S F R O M T H E S T. J O H N S C O U N T Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T O N
Cyberbullying, Social Media, & Internet Safety
C
yberbullying is bullying that takes place using
electronic technology. Electronic technology
includes devices and equipment such as
cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as
communication tools including social media sites, text
messages, chat, and websites.
Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages
or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social
networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos,
websites, or fake profiles.
Report Cyberbullying
When cyberbullying happens, it is important to
document and report the behavior so it can be
addressed.
Steps to Take Immediately
Don’t respond to and don’t forward cyberbullying
messages.
Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the
dates, times, and descriptions of instances when
cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print
screenshots, emails, and text messages. Use this
evidence to report cyberbullying to web and cell
phone service providers.
Block the person who is cyberbullying.
Tips for Teens – Preventing Cyberbullying –
cyberbullying.org/standing-up-to-cyberbullying-
tips-for-teens.pdf
Tips for Teens – Responding to Cyberbullying –
cyberbullying.org/Top-Ten-Tips-Teens-Response.pdf
Cyberbullying Warning Signs – cyberbullying.org/
cyberbullying-warning-signs
Other useful Tip Sheets from the Cyberbullying Research
Center – cyberbullying.org/resources
Be Aware of What Your Kids are
Doing Online
Talk with your kids about cyberbullying and other
online issues regularly.
Know the sites your kids visit and their online
activities. Ask where they’re going, what they’re
doing, and who they’re doing it with.
Tell your kids that as a responsible parent you may
review their online communications if you think
there is reason for concern. Installing parental
control filtering software or monitoring programs
are one option for monitoring your child’s online
behavior, but do not rely solely on these tools.
Have a sense of what they do online and in texts.
Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices
they use.
Ask for their passwords, but tell them you’ll only
use them in case of emergency.
Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social
media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so.
Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if
they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied.
Explain that you will not take away their computers
or cell phones if they confide in you about a
problem they are having.
Social Media
Teaching Kids to be Smart About Social Media –
kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-media-smarts.
html
Smart Social Networking – 15 Tips for Teens –
cyberbullying.org/smart-social-networking
Internet Safety
There’s a lot to deal with on the Internet — cyberbullies,
privacy settings, gossip, and even cyber criminals. These
resources can help parents and teens understand how
to make safe choices when using the internet:
For Parents – Netsmartz.org – netsmartz.org/
TrendsandTopics
Netsmartz for Teens – nsteens.org/
Safe Florida – safeflorida.net/safesurf
Source: www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/sdfs/cyberbullying/
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