Cyber-bullying resources

The goal of this topic is to look at cyber-bullying, but focusing on the resources available for people to identify if they are being cyber-bullied and determine what they can do about it.

Wikipedia: Cyber-bullying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying
Should have been the first resource for the last topic, so here it is for the second topic. Interestingly, Wikipedia defines cyber-bullying by the following quote:

"involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. -Bill Belsey"

It also mentions that in adults cyber-bullying can be referred to as cyber-stalking. It reports on a couple of surveys, with the interesting, average (of all surveys given) statistics giving that 33% of children have been bullied online and up to 85% of children have not told their parents when something hurtful has happened online. One in five workers have reported being cyber-bullied. On the internet bullies can remain anonymous, changing identities if required, and thrive with individual, personal messages (email, personal messages in forums) which cannot be monitored (such as Facebook wall posts). However, in the first instance these bullies can be avoided by no longer frequenting the same location as the bully. Victims of cyber-bullying have:

lower self-esteem, increased suicidal ideation, and a variety of emotional responses, cyberbullying back, being scared, frustrated, angry, and depressed

with at least four USA cases leading to suicide. The article lists several awareness campaigns which have occurred in the USA and some examples of community support programs. To look for are Act Against Bullying's CyberKind and the (BeatBullying) YouTube channel.

Cyberbullying : What is it and how to get help - ReachOut Australia
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/cyberbullying
This site defines cyber-bullying as any form of bullying that occurs on or through the internet and through mobile phone technologies. The examples it gives are:

teasing and being made fun of
spreading of rumours online
sending unwanted messages
defamation.

It then gives similar information, but with more of an Australian perspective, on the prevalence and effects of cyber-bullying. The most interesting part comes at the end, which is what some of the options are when you are cyber-bullied:

Keep a record (including time and date) - This may help you (or the police) to find out who is sending the messages.
Tell someone - Talk to someone you trust, a parent, friend, school counsellor or teacher.
Contact your phone or internet service provider and report what is happening - They can help you block messages or calls from certain senders.
If messages are threatening or serious get in touch with the police - Cyberbullying, if it's threatening, is illegal. You don't need to put up with that!
Don't reply to bullying messages - It'll only get worse if you do. By replying the bully gets what he or she wants. Often if you don't reply the bully will leave you alone.
Change your contact details - Get a new user name for the internet, a new e-mail account, a new mobile phone number and only give them out to your closest friends.
Keep your username and passwords secret - Keep your personal information private so it doesn't fall into the hands of someone who'll misuse it.

 An interesting list, though I think that talking to someone should have been at the start of the list.

To be looked at next:
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/
http://www.coc.edu.au/site/_documents/ahisaconference-bamfordcyberbullying.pdf