Remember that you are not alone, but you must take charge to change the situation. There are many helpful online resources and some helpful points from a couple have been included on this blog, it is strongly suggested that you check out the sites for more information and guidance.
Website: http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/en/home.asp
Get information on cyberbullying and what you can do if it happens to you or someone you know
Opportunity to share your experiences in a safe environment
Get counselling online
Get counselling over the phone: 1-800-668-6868
Advertisement in the Metro
“Empower young people by giving them the tools they need to make health choices and decision- providing them with tips and advice on how to be safer online, and connecting them to resources in their community”
“Be connected and protected;
1. Control your online presence on social networking sites by learning how to use privacy settings to grant access to your friends only
2. Create login names that don’t reveal your identity when online gaming, chatting or on instant messaging in open forums
3. Avoid interacting with strangers online and how to learn to report upsetting incidents 4. Remember to turn your computer and Webcam off when not in use- or you could be transmitting without your knowledge
5. Give your parents/guardian a sealed envelope with a list of your user names and passwords- to open in case of emergency only
6. Consult with friends, a parent or teacher or Kids Help Phone if you feel threatened or worried about an online situation. ”
Website: www.cyberbullying.ca
The website is set up for individuals to gather support and information and to share their experiences.
Use netiquette: Be polite to people online as you would be offline, but remember that online bullies are a lot like off-line bullies, they want you to respond to their bullying tactics. If anyone is mean or rude (or anything that doesn’t feel right), don’t respond.
Even if you are angry or upset and really feel like you have something to say, that is not the way to fight back. Do not message them.
Notify your internet service provider. Look under ‘Related Resources’ on this website or a list of Canadian internet service providers and their contact information
Notify the police.
Save all messages as evidence to give to the internet service provider and the police. It is not your job to solve the clues to figure out who the bully is.
Talk to an adult. You may need to delete your current email, instant messaging, facebook, etc. accounts.
Always remember that you are not alone, you are not responsible for starting the cyberbullying and you do not deserve to be the victim. Tell an adult you trust.
Website: http://yourlifecounts.org
Do not respond to their messages
Save their messages as proof or as a means to trace back to the bully
Tell an adult: parent(s), guardian(s), aunt, uncle, friend, teacher, etc. Telling someone immediately will give you more power to change things and will give the bully less power to hurt you.
Report the incident(s) to your local police department and internet service provider. This will help to trace the bully so that they can’t reach into your life or anyone else’s life anymore.
Trust your instincts – if it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t
Don't blame yourself, this is not your fault.
DO NOT EVER:
Give out personal information (including photos, school, sports team names)
Meet with anyone
Use a webcam with strangers
Open messages from strangers
Email help@yourlifecounts.org for further support and direction to resources
Website: www.edu.gov.on.ca
This website provides helpful links to resources including online support and publications about cyberbullying.
In May 2007, Education Minister Kathleen Wynne brought a bunch of students together to discuss their experiences, perspectives, and suggested solutions to cyberbullying. A summary of the discussion was published in the Get Connected, Get in the Know: Online Respect and Responsibility that can be found at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/respect.html
A few key points raised by students were:
A need for online users to learn about the kinds of dangerous situations that others have encountered online.
Students need to be taught ways to respond online to a bully.
There needs to be clear guidelines for who they can go to for help and how to report cyberbullying.
These points have been listed on this blog to show that cyberbullying is a common phenomenon faced by many students, and if you don’t know how to handle it you are not the only one who feels that way. By speaking up to an adult you can help yourself now and you can help to make sure that you and your peers have the support to get help in the future.
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