RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
14
CYBERBULLYING
WHAT IS IT?
Cyberbullying is the use of information and communication technologies to support
deliberate, repeated and hostile behaviour by an individual or group, which is intended to
harm (Bill Belsey, www.cyberbullying.org).
It can be committed using the internet, digital, gaming and/or mobile technologies.
This kind of bullying can cause great distress and impact on a child’s self-esteem
and confidence. Young people don’t feel safe, because they can be bullied in their
own homes.
The prevalence rates of cyberbullying in Australia vary with research suggesting between
10-25% of children having experienced cyberbullying. The rate of cyberbullying is still far
less than the rate of traditional bullying but its effects can be much more harmful.
Cyberbullying activities may include:
`` posting defamatory messages on social networking sites
`` spreading rumours online
`` excluding a young person from an online group
`` sending unwanted messages, either by text, instant messaging or email.
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
The perceived anonymity of the internet and the inability to see the immediate reaction
of someone can lead children and young people to behave in a way which they wouldn’t
necessarily do in a face-to-face situation.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
Cyberbullying can occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as children and young people are
almost always accessible via their mobile phone or the internet. It is often categorised as
covert bullying as it goes unseen or unnoticed by adults.
While every child is different there are a few warning signs that could indicate your child
is being bullied:
`` changing patterns in how they use the computer or their mobile phone
`` increase in text messages, often at all times of the day or night
`` trouble sleeping or having nightmares
`` becoming withdrawn or depressed
`` feeling unwell
`` becoming anti-social/not wanting to go out with their usual friends.
``