ABC’s of Cyber Bullying for Students
Patti Agatston, Ph.D http://www.cyberbullyhelp.com
A Avoid posting or sending mean comments toward others online.
B Block the senders who repeatedly send nasty comments or messages to you.
C Clarify the intent of a message that bothers you. Maybe the sender was just joking.
D Delete mean messages or comments, but be sure to save the evidence
should the cyber bullying continue.
E Encourage your friends to post positive comments and messages online.
F Forward abusive messages to the internet service provider so that it can warn the abuser.
G Generate a positive cyber atmosphere by avoiding disrespectful treatment of others.
H Help others who are targeted by posting positive or encouraging messages.
I Invite a classmate who has been targeted online to participate in an activity with you.
J Join with others to stamp out cyber bullying by addressing it in student leadership groups.
K Keep a record or log of cyber bullying incidents to assist you in reporting the incidents.
L Limit the “friends” on your social networking sites or buddy lists to people
you know in the real world.
M Make a public service announcement or start a campaign in your school
to prevent cyber bullying.
N Name aggressive, mean, online behavior as cyber bullying when you see it.
It is not just “playing around.”
0 Open your eyes to bullying incidents everywhere.
P Protect yourself by using the privacy features on social networking sites.
Q Quickly report cyber bullying that includes threats of violence or
self-harm, sexual exploitation, or harassment. Report to a trusted adult or the police.
R Respect others in the real world and the digital world.
S Support targets of bullying online and in the real world through words
of support and offers of help.
T Tell an adult at home and at school if you or your classmates are being cyber bullied.
U Understand how words can be weapons and choose yours wisely.
V Verify with the sender that it is okay before you forward their message to others.
W Write an article for the school newspaper about cyber bullying to educate other students about this problem.
X “X” amine your own behavior online. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Y Yelling online is viewed as rude. Avoid typing in all caps.
Z Zip your lips and your keyboard when it comes to gossip and rumors!