According to Stop Cyberbullying, cyberbullying is determined as the action "when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones." However, when adults impersonate or intimidate a teen using these technologies, then this is termed cyber harassment.
Cyberbullying in the mobile ecosystem involves sending hateful or threatening messages via mobile instant messaging, mobile chat, or SMS messaging channels. It may also comprise a teen impersonating another teen by creating a fake profile on a mobile flash messaging site, or it may be harassing another teen by sending large numbers of SMS messages. Another common cyberbullying tactic is to take photographs or video clips of a victim and then disseminate these images to every contact in their phonebook.
Warning to Parents
You need to support your child to come to you - or another trusted adult - if they ever encounter cyberbullying. You will require being supportive of your child throughout this time. If the matter needs to be stated to the police,,, then do so in the interest of guaranteeing your child's safety. Some of the things you can tell your child are:- Do not keep this a secret.
- Keep a record of cyberbullying messages as evidence if you decide to report the matter to the police.
- To stop receiving bullying messages, you can change their cell phone number or delete their account on a mobile instant messaging service.
- They must not enhance a cyberbully by sending harassing messages to another person when they are angry or hurt. There is no limit to how broadly such words can spread, and there are situations where children have survived being taken to court for defamation.
