Cyber Bullying Workshop

Constable Pete came to discuss cyber bullying with year 10's a couple weeks ago. The school felt it was incredibly worthwhile and arranged to have Constable Pete return to do the same workshop with the Year 9's. This occurred during period two when I have 9G for English.

Actual paedophilia case here.This case was used as an example of accepting random requests.

Ways to check out random friend requests:

- Google search their name

- Google image search their pics

- Check how many posts/images they have on their profile (limited and they are probably fake).

- Check if they have other social media accounts.

Examples of Cyberbullying

- calling people names online

- posting pics/information without your consent.

- Making mean comments on other's posts/pics.

- Threats or harrassment.

- Rumours spread online

- Catfishing

- Telling someone to harm themselves online

The definition: Online bullying (also known as cyber bullying) uses technology to transfer,

Students were shown a video of an English teenager experiencing bullying at school, in and out of class time. He was made fun of by his peers and then they started to harass him through text. He didn't talk to his parents about it and the bullying continued. He received verbal threats through phone calls and texts, as well as bullying on social media chat groups. A page was then set up by his peers to bully him through nasty messages and pictures. Had 'loser' chanted at him on the school bus. He was clearly distressed and made a video about his experiences - his mum saw this video and action was taken. Police visited the school, he received counselling. 

Questions they were then asked:

- Why do you think Joe was bullied to begin with?

- Should Joe have deleted the texts he received? 

- After Joe blocked *** what should he have done? 

- Who can you go to to talk about bullying issues?

- What effects did the bullying have on Joe?

- What is a bystander? Can they make things better?

- What could Rob have done to stop the bullying once it begun?

- What eventually stops the bullying?

- Why did the police turn up at the school?

Generated some really good discussion about the reasons why people are bullied, why you should keep evidence of bullying, feelings of suicide, 

Everything you do online leaves a digital footprint - police can get a 'production order' to retrieve any evidence they may need. 

Constable Pete discussed the times he has attended suicides - the reality of bullying.

"Your next message that you send someone could tip them over the edge."

A bystander is someone who is witness to bullying and does nothing about it. 

Harmful Digital Communications Act - It is illegal to send messages to post material on line that deliberately or intentionally cause harm or serious emotional distress to any person. The penalty can be up to 2 years jail.

netsafe.org.nz is a place you can go to if you are concerned about cyber bullying.

"Think twice before you post because it can affect your future."

If you notice nasty comments on someone's posts/pics ask one question - "Are you O.K?"

Facebook sharing settings:

- The world symbol means it is accessible by the world - i.e. public

- friend settings - which friends can see the post/pics