CYBER BULLYING MIDDLE SCHOOL

texting guidelines

1.Don't lose control of your story!

The biggest mistake people make when texting...

The dreaded "invisible audience"

• when you comment, post or share in a chat it can be screenshot and reshared over and over!
• You can never be sure who else will read your texts!
• are you ok with your parents, teachers, grandparents and classmates seeing this...?

STOP. Take 10. THINK

miscommunication leads to conflict

when we communicate with people in real life, what cues or clues do we rely on?

• tone of voice
• body language
• facial expressions

EMOJIs

Emojis were invented to solve this problem! use them to make your tone and your intentions clearer when you text!

meanness in chats

when is it mean and when is it bullying? what can you do either way?

What do you think is the difference between bullying and meanness ?Why does it seem so much easier for people to say mean things on text than in person?

Share your thoughts...

MEAN OR THOUGHTLESS online comments

cyber -BULLYING

Targeting one person and being mean or taunting them over and over again. Usually there is a power imbalance with one person behaving as if they have more power in the relationship than the other.

Doing or saying something that intentionally hurts someone once or twice. Not thinking through your actions and unintentionally hurting someone.

vs.

TALK TO A TRUSTED ADULT. A PARENT, COUNSELOR OR TEACHER IS BEST

WHAT TO DO ABOUT CYBER BULLYING

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BY FINDING COMFORT IN YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES

BLOCK THE BULLY WHERE THEY ARE SHOWING UP

IGNORE DON'T ENGAGE

BE A FRIEND OR UPSTANDER IF YOU WITNESS BULLYING

SCREEN GRAB FOR EVIDENCE

STOP GROUP CHAT OVERWHELM AND ANXIETY!

If a text thread is getting overwhelming you can:

• mute the chat
• turn on "do not disturb"
• remove yourself from the group
• take a break and go do something away from your device for a while

Turning off "read" receipts is way less stressful for you and your friends too!