When Rumors Escalate - Cyberbullying

  • Due No Due Date
  • Points None
  • Available after Aug 3, 2015 at 12am

 Key Terms

target: noun -a person who is the object of an intentional action
offender: noun -a person who has malicious intent to hurt or damage someone
bystander: noun -a person who does nothing when they witness something happening
upstander: noun -a person who supports and stands up for someone else
escalate: verb- to increase or make more intense
de-escalate: verb - to decrease or make less intense

Cyberbullying is similar to face-to-face bullying, but online tools magnify the hurt, humiliation, and social drama in a very public way. Whether it’s creating a fake Facebook page to impersonate a fellow student, repeatedly sending hurtful text messages and images, or spreading rumors or posting cruel comments on the Internet, cyberbullying can result in severe emotional and even physical harm. And though anyone can spot bullying behavior in the real world, it’s much more difficult to detect it in the online world. Sometimes an entire social circle will get involved, and then it becomes harder for an individual teen to disengage from it. In fact, whole groups of teens may be actively or passively participating, and the target can feel that it is impossible to get away from the bullies. Upstanders - supportive friends, teachers, and trusted adults - can help.

Read and Learn: There will be a short quiz on these concepts on the next page.

Advice for Targets

  • Ignore and block the bully. Offenders often want attention. Take it away and they may give up.
  • Save the evidence. You may need it later for documentation.
  • Change your privacy settings. Allow only people you trust to see or comment on your pages.
  • Tell trusted friends and adults. Create a support network.

Advice for Upstanders 

  • Stand up to the offender when appropriate. If you see something negative, say something. Make it clear that you think online cruelty is wrong, and tell the offender to back off. (It may be easier to do this if you have good standing with the offender.)
  • Point out the bully’s motivation to the target. Comfort the target by explaining that many offenders act cruelly just to gain control, power, or status.
  • Help the target advocate. Help the target find friends and school leaders who can help de-escalate the situation. It’s easier to stand up to cruelty when you are not alone.

 

 

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