Cyberbullying is defined as harassing, humiliating, threatening or embarrassing someone (the victim) on electronic media such as instant messages, e-mails or social media. Children use mobile phones, tablets and the internet to send rude messages to each other, make nasty comments on each other’s photos, create hate groups, and upload photos of someone without that person’s permission. This can make the victim feel upset and shy.

HOW TO HANDLE THESE INCIDENTS

Tell someone. As with any form of bullying, it is important that you do not suffer in silence. Immediately tell someone, even though it may be difficult. Make sure you tell an adult you really trust, such as a teacher or your parents. They will help you decide what to do.

Report the person or group. Cyberbullying is not acceptable, and you will have to disclose the content (such as photos, messages and groups) to someone you trust as well as to the social media site. All social networks, like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have buttons where you can report abuse. Games like Xbox also give advice on their sites. You can usually report the bullying anonymously, so your name is not disclosed. Your bully won’t know it’s you who reported him/her.

Block the person or group. Most social media sites also give you the option to block someone. This means that a person or group can no longer contact you or see your personal content.

Keep the evidence. It is very important that you keep messages or conversations you received so that you have evidence of cyberbullying.

Don’t reply or return a message. It can be very tempting to send messages to the cyberbully, but it’s important not to become a cyberbully yourself. The bully usually wants to elicit a response. Responding to the messages will only worsen the situation. Rather than stooping to their level, block and report the bully.

Stay positive. It may feel as if you have no control over the situation, but you can take control. Follow the steps above and talk to people inside and outside the school whom you trust. They care about you and will help you put a stop to the bullies. Stay positive; you are not alone and the situation will improve.

TOP TIPS TO BE SAFE ON THE INTERNET

Treat your password like your toothbrush – don’t share it! Change your password regularly, and don’t use the same password for all your accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click

Think carefully about what you publish. Don’t share anything on your account or profile that you don’t want your grandmother to see. Always think twice before sharing anything on the internet. Remember, your teachers and potential future employers can find out what you are sharing on the internet or online.

Think carefully about whom you share something with. If you accept someone as your friend on social networks, they have access to the information and photos you share. So, make sure you know and trust the people you accept as friends, and that they will be happy to see what you share. Check out the privacy settings where you can choose who may see what information. For example, you can set your profile to be private or so that only certain people can see certain information.

Google your name. Although we don’t admit it, we have all done this. Entering your social media username and full name on Google is a great way to test your privacy settings. You will be able to see what strangers, university authorities or potential future employers can see about you on the internet.

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD WHO IS BULLIED

Listen to your child. Don’t judge. Your child must know it is the right thing to make your voice heard.

Reassure your child. Bullying can make your child feel ashamed and scared. The child may worry about how you as a parent will respond when you hear about it. Try to stay calm and reassure your child. Work through the information above with your child and ask how you can help. It is important that the child feels he/she is in control of the situation. Children’s imaginations tend to run away, and then they have such clear images of the worst that can happen that they are too scared to talk about it. That he/she is talking to you about this is already a big step.

Contact your child’s school. Make sure they are aware of the incident.

Allow your child to continue communicating online. Children and youngsters use technology daily to communicate with friends and look for information. If you forbid your child to go online, he/she will not talk to you again in the future. Rather encourage him/her to come to you if something seems wrong.

WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD DO WHEN LEARNERS ARE VICTIMS OF CYBERBULLYING

Thank and praise the learner for talking to you about the situation and for being brave enough to make his/her voice heard about bullying.

Ask the learner to show you the content online and help him/her to work through steps 1 to 6 (how to handle these incidents) if it has not already been done.

Ask the learner how you can help. It is important that the learner feels he/she is in control. Maybe he/she doesn’t want you to talk to the bully right away.

Keep the learner’s parents informed of what is happening so that they can keep an eye on him/her at home.

Follow the school’s anti-bullying procedures and make notes of what happens.