In today's generation the internet is the massive means of communication, allowing us to get access to merely anything on the web in a matter of seconds. Despite all of the benefits of this technological advance, the internet can be an extremely dangerous place for bully victims. Students who are being bullied or abused in school typically look to their home as a means of shelter, but with the internet being available victims of bullying find themselves being attacked directly from their own home computer. It is the ability for a bully to be completely anonymous when attacking their victim on the internet that is dangerous. Anybody can simply be behind a computer typing to another and can even be pretending to be somebody else. When bulliers have this advantage to attack without being personally face-to-face, it allows them the freedom to say however they feel to their victim without seeing their affect. Cyberbullying is the harassment or abuse to one/or a group that involve any means of technology, whether it be from cell phones to computers. Bully victims can be attacked through so many different approaches through technology that it becomes overwhelming. Our studies show that 14% of students experience Cyberbullying but at the rate that technology has advanced the numbers will surely increase.
There have been many cases in which students feel so overwhelmed by their attacker that they are motivated to commit suicide, this is called Bullicide, which is the act of suicide due to Cyberbullying. Project Anti Bully wants to dedicate their
research to Jeffrey Johnston, who was a victim of Bullicide at a young age of only 15.
As students try to find an escape from bullying, it follows them straight home and on their computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am being Cyberbullied, what should I do?
The first approach can be to always block or report the bully on the website/application/ program that you are using. Many sites are very good with controlling harassment and want you to able to continue using the website/application/program without being abused or discriminated.
I am being threatened, what should I do?
If you are ever being threatened online by your bullier, this is the time for you to take a stand and have your voice be heard. You need to tell an adult/teacher/friend about the problems you are experiencing online. Project Anti Bully wants to encourage students to communicate more with others, so it is important to start.
Text Bullying can be extremely dangerous
I am being attacked through text message etc.
Bullying through text-messaging can be very messy. Most students do not want to go through the trouble of having to have a number blocked, but it is possible to do. However, bulliers can block phone calls and are able to harass you without allowing you to call back. The best thing to do if a bully is attacking you through the phone, is to not answer and to communicate with somebody about what is going on. There is always a reason why a bullier is behaving the way they are, answering the bully will fuel their fire, meaning it may cause them to attack twice as hard. Instead communicate with an adult about what you are experiencing.
Always report the bully and tell somebody about what is going on.
My bully has posted pictures of me online that are offensive, what should I do?
The first step is to report the photo, most sites/ applications/programs have this ability and will eventually remove the photo from online. The next thing is to talk to an adult/parent/teacher about how you are being exposed online. Do not forget what goes online can be obtained to anyone! Its extremely important to make sure that your bullier stops demeaning your character online through offensive photos.
Videos
The different type of cyberbullying and imformation about who is being attacked. Students tell the viewers their personal experience with cyberbully
How far would you go?
Bullying is causing students to gain so much anger inside and causing them to take it out on others and on themselves.
Bullying becomes such a problem that students are trying to drop out of school. These students had left their school in hopes to get help from adults to adress the problem. These students were also cyberbullied by text messaging and on the internet.
