Blog – Latest stories tagged 'cyberbullying'

Friday 17th June 2016 is Stop Cyberbullying Day - #SCD2016, an annual day where everybody can get involved and make a difference both on and off-line.

Online bullying (or more commonly called ‘cyberbullying’) can be a blight on many children’s lives. In many ways it can be more hurtful than traditional types of bullying as the victim in many cases, does not know who is posting the information, it can occur 24/7 and it is often difficult to remove.

There have been many campaigns over recent years to educate young people and ‘Stop Cyberbullying Day’ is another initiative to try and make children think about the impact of online bullying.

Over recent months, there has been much discussion about the future of the internet. The ‘Reclaim The Internet’ movement is highlighting the problem of trolling and cyberbullying of individuals who make comments and are then aggressively bullied by others who disagree with them.

Many social media experts believe that the way forward is to ensure that children and young people understand that creating a better internet means that they have to think about what they say when posting information. The concept of ‘netiquette’ and encouraging children and young people not to be ‘bystanders’ and to report and block online bullies is the way forward.

Many more social media sites now offer reporting mechanisms to ensure that users can report bullying. This includes online gaming sites such as Xbox Live, as cyberbullying can occur across many platforms. However, sites and Apps such as ‘Whisper’ have appeared which enable users to post anonymous comments which have caused many problems for schools.

For parents and teachers, it is important to recognise the signs of a child being bullied online. This can include secretive internet use, subdued behaviour and in the worst cases, self-harm.

On Stop Cyberbullying Day, the organisers of the event, The Cybersmile Foundation, are asking everybody who cares about cyberbullying and online hate campaigns to join their growing movement for action against online bullying and to help create a much safer more enjoyable environment for our children's future. Day, With the internet less than 25 years old, it is important that future generations take a stand and try to ensure that cyberbullying is confined to the history books.

All E-safety Support members can download a cyber bullying assembly from their dashboard.

The Duke of Cambridge will convene a new industry-led taskforce to support young people and their families affected by cyberbullying.

His Royal Highness has asked tech entrepreneur Brent Hoberman CBE to chair the group, with support for this ambitious project from The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Over the next year, The Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying will bring together industry partners and a group of advisors from the sector to develop an industry-wide response to the online bullying of young people, with a focus on 12-14 year olds.

A spokesman for The Duke of Cambridge said:

"This is an issue that The Duke feels strongly about. He knows that social media and other technologies are creating significant positive opportunities for millions of young people. But as a parent, he knows that many people worry about how to protect their children from the new avenues for bullying that technology is creating. He hopes the taskforce can help the industry share the best practice that is emerging across the sector and put in place new standards so that the internet remains something young people and their parents can embrace with confidence."

Studies suggest that some 35% of 11-17 year olds have experienced some form of cyberbullying during their lives, and 40% have witnessed cyberbullying within a social network they use. Cyberbullying, in common with other forms of bullying, can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of children and young people. The effect of technology means the impact of bullying is instantly multiplied through social networks, and can feel harder for young people to escape.

While most social platforms and service providers do have systems in place for reporting or removing abusive content, there is no common industry standard or commitment to tackle the issue, nor is there an existing single repository of information for users on how to address it.

The taskforce will take existing models of good practice for reporting abusive content on individual networks and develop a set of commitments for the industry to sign up to, to collectively tackle the issue. It will consider the development of a single resource of up to date practical support and information for young people affected by cyberbullying, with advice on how to get help. It will also work to help parents and adults to better understand cyberbullying, and give them the confidence to find appropriate help and resources to support children affected by the issue.

Full membership of the taskforce will be announced soon, but will include leading figures from technology companies and internet service providers. The taskforce will also be supported by a panel of young people aged 11-15, to ensure it remains engaged in current online trends.

Brent Hoberman CBE said:

"This Taskforce will bring together the commitment, talent and expertise of the technology industry to tackle Cyberbullying and the terrible effect it has on children. The future of our children is inextricably linked with the Internet. It is our responsibility to ensure that they grow up confident and happy online so that they can make the most of the extraordinary potential it offers."

Join the Cybersmile Foundation in creating awareness and encouraging positive action against cyber bullying

Stop Cyberbullying Day is an annual day where everybody can get involved and make a difference both on and off-line. The Cybersmile Foundation are asking everybody who cares about cyberbullying and online hate campaigns, to join their growing movement for action against online bullying and to help create a much safer more enjoyable environment for our children’s future.

The Cybersmile Foundation is a multi-award winning anti cyberbullying non-profit organisation. Committed to tackling all forms of digital abuse and bullying online, they work to promote diversity and inclusion by building a safer, more positive digital community.

Through education and the promotion of positive digital citizenship, they reduce incidents of cyberbullying and through their professional help and support services they enable victims and their families to regain control of their lives.

Founded in 2010 by the parents of children directly affected by cyberbullying, Cybersmile has grown to become the worlds leading anti cyberbullying non-profit organisation. Their educational programs, support services and messages of hope and positivity reach millions of people around the world each year, whilst maintaining their core values of integrity, equality and compassion – the Cybersmile hallmark.

Stop Cyberbullying Day #SCD2015 is an innovative and dynamic day of awareness and positive action against cyberbullying.

Online activities and events will be giving everyone the opportunity to help make a difference and join the growing movement for positivity.

One of the objectives of Stop Cyberbullying Day is for teachers and pupils to be made aware of the organisation’s work and the services they offer to anybody affected by or concerned with cyberbullying.

The many individuals and organisations participating during the day will drive the message towards awareness and advice for the many thousands of people affected by cyberbullying and online hate campaigns.

To find out more and download the SCD2015 Information Pack, visit the Cybersmile Foundation website.

All E-safety Support members can download a Cyber Bullying Assembly from their dashboard.