Cyberbullying is when one person or a group of people try to threaten, tease or embarrass someone else by using a mobile phone or the internet. Cyberbullying is just as harmful as bullying in the real world. There are lots of different types of cyberbullying. These are the main ones: Sending emails that can be threatening or upsetting. emails can be sent directly to a single target, or to a group of people to encourage them to become part of the bullying. These messages or ‘hate mails’ can include examples of racism, sexism and other types of prejudice. If someone sends you a message and you forward or laugh at it, you’re actually adding to the problem. Sending instant messenger and chatroom messages to friends or direct to a victim. Others can be invited into the bullying conversation, who then become part of it by laughing. Setting up profiles on social networking sites to make fun of someone. By visiting these pages or contributing to them, you become part of the problem and add to the feelings of unhappiness felt by the victim. Sending humiliating and abusive text or video messages, as well as photo messages and phone calls over a mobile phone. This includes anonymous text messages over short distances using Bluetooth technology and sharing videos of physical attacks on individuals (happy slapping). Games consoles allow players to chat online with anyone they find themselves matched with in a multi-player game. Sometimes cyber bullies abuse other players and use threats. They can also lock victims out of games, spread false rumours about someone or hack into someone’s account. Some people send viruses or hacking programs to another person that can destroy their computers or delete personal information from their hard drive. Many victims of cyberbullying have complained that they have seen personal photos, emails or blog postings posted where others could see them without their permission. Bullying UK is the new name for the award-winning charity Bullying Online which was founded in 1999 by journalist Liz Carnell from Harrogate and her son John, as a direct result of their experience of dealing with school bullying. You will find lots of help and information on CyberBullying on this site. Click the name to go to the site. ChildLine also has information on CyberBullying. © Rosehill Methodist Primary School