Not to be confused with Cyber Trolls
What is Cyber Bullying?
Bullying which is carried out through an Internet service such as email, chat room, discussion group or instant messaging.
It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as short messaging service (SMS).
Examples of cyber bullying
Teasing and being made fun of
Spreading of rumours online
Sending unwanted messages
Defamation
Anyone can be bullied online and the bully can act anonymously if he or she desires.
People can also be bullied online by groups of people such as class groups or collective members of an online community.
http://www.netalert.net.au/01569-What-is-Cyber-Bullying.asp
Are there Cyber Bullies on Storywrite?
There are cyber bullies on every website on the internet. The key is to recognizing the bullies and stopping their behaviour so that the web site can be enjoyed by all.
How do you spot a bully?
An internet bully is one who will constantly insult someone, and when called on it, will come back with "I was just kidding!", or, makes an insult, quickly followed by 'j/k!' (for just kidding) to make it look like they are not actually insulting someone. They are.
There is a huge difference between jovial banter and mean spirited posts.
When asked to stop, they won't. They will instead complain that everyone is picking on them, and that since they were just kidding, that it shouldn't matter. Lines like "I get called that all the time, so why should it bother someone else?" are commonplace. Some other common excuses are: "I'm in a bad mood"... "I'm bipolar"..."I'm on medication"....all valid reasons, although when constantly used, grow a little thin.
A bully will also use a role playing to insult, threaten or belittle someone... takes sword, and slashes the idiot's throat (which is threatening, and also against CB rules.)
Another tactic is to insult, and then log back in under another name, and act nice, asking if 'So and so' was just here, or 'did I do anything bad?'...or, they will continue to attack the same person again.
Bullies also like to push, and push, until you say something back, then they will ticket you, complaining that you have insulted them. Or, they will use your response for a springboard to attack you further, even bringing in friends to back them up.
Confronting the Cyber Bully
Tell the bully in simple terms to leave you alone. Tell him not to contact you again. Log off immediately and stay offline for at least 24 hours.
Do not reply to any future mail from the bully. Do not reply to taunts, e-mails or gossip written about you. According to CyberAngels, an Internet safety organization, If you take that power away from the harasser and refuse to play their game, then you have become empowered instead. You are now in charge.
Stay out of questionable chat rooms.
Keep e-mails from the harasser and your replies as evidence.
If you feel you are in physical danger or if the bully has made physical threats against you, call your local police precinct.
http://parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=4332
How can I stop it if I'm being bullied?
First- stop talking to the bully(ies). Don't reply back beyond a 'leave me alone'. Don't go on the attack or get friends to back you up... since that would make you a bully, too.
Second- Contact a moderator, copying CB posts if you can and IMing them to the moderator.
Third - If it is in your IMs, do not delete them. Ticket your IMs (bottom of the page, 'content complaint'), stating who is bothering you. A moderator will look at your Instant Messages (and look only for the interaction between the bully and you), and take action if needed.
You do have the option of placing other members on your ignore list... which is located under 'Your Options' on your author page. Unfortunately, this does not work for the chatterbox, but it will stop bullies from IMing you.
Remember! No one has the right to bully, and no one deserves to be bullied.
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