Attention all Cyberbullies! Put down your weapons! And that means your cellphone, your keyboard and your mouse. It’s bad enough that we have nasty bullies that push us around on the school playground, but now there's an ever-growing population of cyberbullies being mean to other kids on the Internet. We have got to stop this mess!
Time to fight back against Cyberbullies
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is when a bully decides to threaten, harass or humiliate someone in messages through the Internet. Here are some examples:
- Posting photos of someone and making cruel comments
- Spreading rumors about someone with text messages
- Signing in as someone else to hurt his or her reputation in a chat room
- Re-sending and spreading hate emails to other people
- Posting humiliating pictures or videos of someone online
- Photoshopping pictures to humiliate someone online
Depression is a teen's worst problem
Why do the Cyberbullies do it?
It’s obvious that cyberbullying exists for the same reasons regular bullying exists. Bullies do this because they are angry and vengeful people. Boredom is also a very big reason why bullies choose to hurt people. It’s also possible that they just want to have a laugh... unfortunately, bullying someone is never funny, no matter where you do it.
The biggest problem with cyberbullying is the fact that it is so easy to do. You can often send hurtful messages about someone online without anyone knowing it was you.
Messages on a computer screen hurt
What to Do?
There is no instance of cyberbullying that is “too small” to just forget about and sweep under the carpet. Cyberbullying may start off seeming like not such a big deal, but the chances of one thing leading to another online, where messages, images and videos spread faster than a wildfire, are very big. It’s important to talk to an adult, a parent or a teacher to solve these problems before they escalate into something tragic.
Unity is the key to your future!
Cyberbullying for Popularity
When you're a kid, popularity is kind of a big deal. Let's face it: it's important to most kids to have good friends and be liked and respected among their peers and classmates. But when it's so important that it might cause you to take part in cyberbullying or even just watch as your so-called friends do it to others, is being popular really worth it?
Cyberbullying on your laptop
Are You a Cyberbully?
If you or someone you know is or has been a cyberbully, you have to stop now and apologize to the people you have hurt. Not only are you hurting your own peers but being mean to others could hurt you in the end, causing you to feel depression and guilty feelings throughout your life - especially if you don’t do something to stop it.
Computers make it too easy to bully
Helplines & Resources:
- TeenMentalHealth.org
- KidsHealth - A safe, private place for kids & teens who need honest, accurate information and advice about health, emotions, and life.
- Teen Line - A helpline for kids and teens to work through their personal issues and mental health as needed. 1-800-TLC-TEEN or 1-800-852-8336 (Toll-Free US & Canada).
- Mind Infoline – Information on self-harm and a helpline to call in the UK at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463.
- Kids Help Phone – Free, anonymous and bilingual helpline for young people in Canada, available 24/7 by phone, Live Chat, and the Always There chat app for any issue, including self-injury and suicide. Call 1-800-668-6868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca.
- Kids Helpline – A helpline for kids and young adults in Australia to get help with issues including cutting and self-harm. Call 1800 55 1800. (Kids Helpline).
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