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!