Internet & Text Message Bullying
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Bullying page 07

Did you know that bullying can also happen on the Internet or via text messaging?!

Keep reading to learn about Cyber Bullying or e-bullying.


After several months of being treated badly by Rebecca, Susie decided to end their friendship. Rebecca was furious and set out to hurt her even more. She sent Susie dozens of angry e-mails full of untrue accusations. She also got several friends to post nasty comments on Facebook.

One included a death wish that said, ‘I think Susie should be a victim of a mysterious hit-and-run accident!’ Shocked and upset, 13 year-old Susie didn’t know what to do.


Since the use of technology is at an all-time high among youth, so is the possibility of cyber bullying. According to the Stop Bullying Now! Campaign, 1 in 4 middle school students is cyber bullied each month.


According to the National Crime Prevention Council, cyber bullying refers to using “the Internet, cell phones or other devices...to send or post texts or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.” Girls are twice as likely as boys to be involved in bullying. Girls tend to spread gossip or rumors and post hurtful remarks. Boys, on the other hand are inclined to harass one another on gaming sites or to use a cell phone camera to record a

fight and then post it online.


People who engage in this type of behavior generally know the person they’re bullying and even though someone receiving such a message may THINK they know who sent it, it’s hard to be sure. Even if they absolutely recognize a person’s name or email address, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the message came from that person. Kids are clever at getting around today’s technology.


If they know your password, that can only make things worse. For example, if they know your Facebook password, they could access your account and post ugly pictures, write embarrassing things, or forward something you had meant to keep private. They also could send nasty messages pretending to be you. THEY do the dirty work, but YOU get the blame.


You mean I have 25% chance of being cyber-bullied this month?

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