What is Virtual Bullying? With more and more of us using email and mobile phones, bullying doesn't even have to happen in person. Silent phone calls or abusive texts or email can be just as distressing as being bullied face-to-face.

What is Cyber Bullying? This is sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices.

Technologies are also being used negatively. When anyone is the target of bullying via their mobile phones or the internet, they can feel alone and very misunderstood. As mobile phone and internet use become increasingly common, so is the misuse of this technology to bully.

Bullying is not new, but some features of cyber bullying are different from other forms of bullying;

• Cyber bullying can take place at any time and can intrude home/personal space
• The audience can be very large and reached rapidly
• People who cyber bully may attempt to remain anonymous
• Cyber bullying can take place between peers and across generations/ages
• Cyber bullying can be the result of not thinking (something sent as a joke!)

Methods of Cyberbullying		Tips for Prevention
	Mobile Phones – Sending unwanted, abusive nasty calls or text messages, including threats, intimidation, and harassment. Taking and sharing humiliating images. Videoing other people being harassed and sending these to other phones or Internet sites. Using silent calls. Sometimes the bullied person’s phone is stolen and used to harass others, who then think the phone owner is responsible. As with all mobile phone bullying, the perpetrators often hide their number, and may sometimes use someone else’s phone to avoid being identified.	All UK mobile operators have nuisance call centres set up and/or procedures in place to deal with such instances. The responses may vary, but possibilities for the operator include changing the mobile number of the person being bullied so that the bully will not be able to continue to contact them without finding out their new number. It is not always possible for operators to bar particular numbers from contacting the phone of the person being bullied, although some phone handsets themselves do have this capability. Action can be taken against the bully’s phone account (e.g. blocking their account), only with police involvement.
	Instant Messaging – Sending nasty or unwanted messages of contact. Using someone else’s account to forward rude or mean messages via another’s contact list.	It is possible to block users, or change Instant Messenger IDs so the bully is not able to contact their target any more. Most providers will have information on their website about how to do this. In addition, the Instant Messenger provider can investigate and shut down any accounts that have been misused and clearly break their terms of service. The best evidence for the service provider is archived or recorded conversations and most IM providers allow the user to record all messages.
	Chat Rooms & Message Boards – sending nasty, menacing or upsetting responses to others whilst in a web-based chat room. Unwanted messages maybe sent anonymous or others may pretend to be someone they are not to obtain personal information.	Most chat rooms offer the user the option of blocking or ignoring particular users. Some services may be moderated, and then moderators will warn users posting abusive comments or take down content that breaks their terms of use.
	Email – Sending nasty or threatening messages. Forwarding unwanted or unsuitable content including images, videos or computer viruses.	It is possible to block particular senders or report spam. If the bullying persists an alternative is for the person being bullied to change their email address. The email provider will have information on their website on how to create a new account.
	Social Networking Sites – Groups of people picking on an individual by excluding them. Creating profiles to pretend to be someone else and posting menacing or unwanted comments. Video Hosting Sites –Posting nasty comments or humiliating images or videos.	It is normally possible to block/ignore particular users on social networking sites. Many social network providers also enable users to pre-moderate any comments left on their profile before they are visible by others. This can help a user prevent unwanted or hurtful comments appearing on their profile for all to see. The user can also set their profile to ‘Private,’ so that only those authorised by the user are able to access and see their profile. Social network providers allow you to report incidents of cyber bullying. If they do receive reports about cyber bullying, they will investigate and can remove content issue conduct warnings and they can delete the accounts of those that have broken these rules.
	VLE’s – Posting unpleasant or inappropriate messages or images to message boards, forums or chat. Hacking into someone else’s profile to post inappropriate comments or delete completed work.	Keep your password secure. Report any incidents to the VLE host or provider. If they do receive reports about cyber bullying, they will investigate and can remove content that is illegal or breaks their terms and conditions in other ways. They may issue conduct warnings and they can delete the accounts of those that have broken these rules.
If you experience any type of cyber bullying never reply to the perpetrator and tell someone you trust!

For children and young people

• Always respect others – be careful what you say online and what images you send.
• Respect other people - online and off.
• Do not spread rumours about people or share their secrets, including phone numbers and passwords.
• If someone insults you online or by phone, stay calm – and ignore them, but tell someone you trust.
• Think before you send – whatever you send can be made public very quickly and could stay online forever.
• Check the service provider’s website to see where to report incidents.
• Treat your password like your toothbrush – keep it to yourself. Only give your mobile number or personal website address to trusted friends.
• Block the bully – learn how to block or report someone who is behaving badly.
• Don’t retaliate or reply!
• Save the evidence – learn how to keep records of offending messages, pictures or online conversations.
• Make sure you tell someone you trust, or call a helpline like Child Line on 0800 1111 in confidence
• Make sure you report the provider of the service
• Contact TFT – Learner Support in confidence– 0161 7647523

Finally, don’t just stand there – if you see cyber bullying going on, support the victim and report the bullying. How would you feel if no one stood up for you?

Think how you would feel if you were bullied? You are responsible for your own behaviour, make sure you don’t distress other people or cause them to be bullied by someone else.

The law is on your side - The Protection from Harassment Act, the Malicious Communications Act 1988 And Section 43 of the Telecommunications Act may be used to combat Cyber bullying. People may be fined or sent to prison for up to six months.

For parents and carers

• Be aware, your child may as likely cyber bully as be a target of cyber bullying.
• Be alert to your child seeming upset after using the internet or their mobile phone. This might involve subtle comments or changes in relationships with friends. They might be unwilling to talk or be secretive about their online activities and mobile phone use.
• Talk with your children and understand the ways in which they are using the internet and their mobile phone.
• Use the tools on the service and turn on in-built internet safety features.
• Remind your child not to retaliate.
• Keep the evidence of offending emails, text messages or online conversations.
• Report cyber bullying:

- Contact your child’s school if it involves another pupil, so that they can take appropriate action.
- Contact the internet service provider or mobile network
- If the cyber bullying is serious and a potential criminal offence has been committed, you should consider contacting the police.