Cyber Bullying Guidance

RELATED CHAPTER

Countering Bullying and Peer Abuse Procedure


Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Aim of Guidance
  3. What is Cyber Bullying?
  4. Different Forms of Cyber Bullying
  5. How to Manage Cyber Bullying at The Ride


1. Introduction

With the increase in mobile phones and handy hand-held electronic media, it has become much easier for there to be indirect bullying amongst young people particularly, sometimes to the unawareness of the ‘bully’ themselves. This is a major phenomenon amongst young people and occurring more than we are aware of. Recent media coverage’s has highlighted the dire impact of Cyber bullying amongst young people; committing suicide.

As some residents at the Ride own their own smartphones, laptops and tablets it is increasingly difficult to monitor their internet safety. However the key to ensuring young people are open to advice is in building trusting relationships with young people so they feel safe to disclose concerns to staff. Some young people may need extra support and in some cases it is acceptable to go though some young people’s electronic devices, with their agreement to monitor online accounts and assist them in maintaining online safety. This agreement should be noted in the placement plan at the beginning of their placement at the Ride.


2. Aim of Guidance

The aim of this guidance is to prevent any of the young people or staff at The Ride becoming victims or bullies of Cyber Bullying, through education, knowledge and awareness of Cyber bullying and the impact it can have on emotional, educational, social and health development. Some young people may avoid settings (school, college etc.) because of Cyber bullying.


3. What is Cyber Bullying?

Cyber Bullying is the use of electronic medium to bully others. It can come in the form of:

  • Text Messaging;
  • Picture/ Video/ Voice Recording and sharing via mobile phone;
  • Using Phone Calls;
  • Email Bullying;
  • Chat-rooms/ Facebook/ Instant Messaging;
  • Other Internet Sites.


4. Different Forms of Cyber Bullying

Flaming: Online arguments using electronic messages with aggressive or abusive language.

Harassment: Repeatedly sending abusive, insulting or unwanted messages.

Denigration: Spreading gossip lies or rumours about someone to damage their reputation or friendships.

Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else sending or posting material.

Outing: Disclosing someone else’s secrets or embarrassing information online without their consent.

Trickery: talking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information then publishing it online.

Exclusion: Intentionally excluding someone from an online group.

Cyber stalking: Repeated, intense harassment and denigration that includes threats or creates significant fear.

Interactions between individuals become BULLYING when:

  • Pain and Distress of others are caused- once or persistently;
  • There are unequal power imbalances;
  • Deliberate Aggression is being used to humiliate or embarrass the other person.

What Staff should be Aware of:

  • If a young person seems upset after using their phone or laptop. Perhaps subtle comments were overheard by staff;
  • The individual should be advised to keep the messages and not respond. Better yet, block or delete that person as a contact.

How to Avoid Cyber bullying:

  • Arguments from the real world should not be continued online as its best to manage disputes face-to-face. Online creates fantasies about what is actually being written or produced;
  • Do not accept anybody through BB pin, Facebook, WhatsApp etc. unless you know them in real life;
  • Don’t lose your manners just because you are online, it is still people on the other line.

How Young People Should Manage being Cyber Bullied:

  • Approach and speak with a member of staff, even you don’t feel that it is Cyber bullying but it is something which makes you feel uncomfortable, upset or angry.

Expectations from Young People:

  • To feel confident, be open and honest with staff knowing that staff will always be here to do their best to help;
  • To make use of the Knowledge acquired about Cyber bullying during CEOP training, Key work sessions and this Policy.


5. How to Manage Cyber Bullying at The Ride

Existing Online Protocol to continue to be in force see below link to LSCP procedures: www.londonsafeguardingchildrenprocedures.co.uk

  • Each young person to have a Key Work Session on admission, discussing Cyber Bullying, their understanding and explore their experiences (direct or indirect); when it is clear that young people understand how to recognise and report online abuse they should sign The Ride’s acceptable use agreement for their file.
  • All Staff and young people to participate in CEOP training, Key work and Residents Meetings.
  • If a young person shows you a message/ image or shares with you something that has been posted to/ about them electronically and they find it hurtful, it should be taken seriously and immediately addressed to prevent escalation and harm;
  • If this becomes persistent and the ‘bully’ is a resident, a three way informal meeting akin to restorative justice should be arranged so that both parties can understand the different perspectives, with staff explaining the impact thus awareness for both individuals;
  • Should the bullying be happening outside of the Ride, contact the institution (School, College, Work etc.) that the bully may be connected to. They should have an Anti-Bullying policy, which should be applied in such cases;
  • Should there be a serious threat made (violence etc.) contact the Police, keep evidence of the material as a criminal offence may have been committed.

Where to Find out More Information/ Advice and Resources: