Cyberbullying
School bullying is marked by a number of traits: it is malicious and persistent and involves unequal positions of power (for example, a group bullying a single victim).
Cyber-bullying is a form of school bullying distinguished by the use of electronic means of communication: mobile phones, web cameras, Internet sites and so on.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF CYBER-BULLYING?
- Repetitive sending of threatening or nasty e-mails, text messages, posts etc.
- Dragging personal information out of someone and spreading it about against their will
- Pretending to be someone else (hacking into their e-mail account, posting etc. under their name, sending e-mails and messages containing lies or insults etc.)
- Setting up websites etc. designed specifically to laugh at or mock someone or to create ill-feeling towards them
- Cyber-bullying normally involves more than one person
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FALL VICTIM TO CYBER-BULLYING?
- Tell someone you trust about it – a brother or sister, a friend, your mum or dad, someone from your class etc.
- Tell your parents about it and discuss together what you should do next
- Tell people working at your school (your teacher, the school psychologist, a social worker, the principal etc.) about any violence
- Contact the online administrator for help
- Call the kids’ helpline 116 111 for help or e-mail info@lasteabi.ee (e-mails are answered within five working days)
Links to sites which provide help and advice:
- http://www.lahendus.net/ – online advice from young people for young people, with psychology students counselling younger kids
- http://www.lapsemure.ee/ – a forum in which you can ask questions
- http://www.nip.ee/ – a youth information portal offering online advice
- http://www.pk.ee/ – Tallinn Family Centre
- http://www.eluliin.ee/ – an advice line
- http://kooli.ee/?teema=4 – Kooli.ee
- www.tonk.ee – Tallinn Educational Advice Centre
- www.plk.ee – Pelgulinn Child Protection Centre