How can you
protect yourself?
Be
careful where you post personal information - By
limiting the number of people who have access to your contact
information or details about your interests, habits, or employment,
you reduce your exposure to bullies that you do not know. This may
limit your risk of becoming a victim and may make it easier to
identify the bully if you are victimized.
Avoid
escalating the situation - Responding with
hostility is likely to provoke a bully and escalate the
situation. Depending on the circumstances, consider ignoring the
issue. Often, bullies thrive on the reaction of their victims. Other
options include subtle actions. For example, if you are receiving
unwanted email messages, consider changing your email address. If the
bully does not have access to the new address, the problem may
stop. If you continue to get messages at your new account, you may
have a stronger case for legal action.
Document
the activity - Keep a record of any online
activity (emails, web pages, instant messages, etc.), including
relevant dates and times. In addition to archiving an electronic
version, consider printing a copy.
Report
cyberbullying to the appropriate authorities - If
you are being harassed or threatened, report the activity to the local
authorities. Law enforcement agencies have different policies, but
your local police department or FBI branch are good starting
points. Unfortunately, there is a distinction between free speech and
punishable offenses, but the legal implications should be decided by
the law enforcement officials and the prosecutors. Depending on the
activity, it may also be appropriate to report it to school officials
who may have separate policies for dealing with activity that involves
students.
Protect your
children by teaching them good online habits (see Keeping
Children
Safe Online for more information). Keep lines of
communication
open with your children so that they feel comfortable telling you if
they are being victimized online. Reduce their risk of becoming
cyberbullies by setting guidelines for and monitoring their use of the
internet and other electronic media (cell phones, PDAs, etc.).
Author: Mindi McDowell
Produced
2006 by US-CERT, a government organization.
