Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of electronic and digital methods, particularly the internet and mobile phones to deliberately hassle, make fun of or hurt another person. It can include bullying by sending inappropriate text messaging and emails, the sending or posting of offensive images by phone or via the internet, via instant messenger and social networking sites.

Report cyberbullying

If your child is affected by cyberbullying you should get in touch with their school or youth group if the bullying involves another pupil from that school or youth group. You should also contact the service provider (e.g. Bebo or Facebook) through its Customer Care or Report Abuse facility. If the cyberbullying is very serious and potentially against the law you should contact your local Gardaí.

Useful links

www.cyberbullying.org
Provides information on cyber-bullying
www.connectsafely.org/code/code/
Find tips and advice to help stop cyberbullying
www.digizen.org
Provides information on social networking and cyberbullying
www.safesocialnetworking.com/img/safety/Cyberbullying_1.pdf
A UK report on cyberbullying aimed at schools

Publications

Get With It! A guide to Cyberbullying

This guide is intended to increase awareness of all aspects of cyberbullying in the new media world and to help parents and their children understand the often confusing issues of new media technologies and tools which children and young people are using for this behaviour.