Tips+for+prevention


 * TIPS **

Everyone can do something to proctect him/herself from cyber bullies, or to deal with them in healthy, safe ways. These tips are generally agreed upon about what to do if you or your child is being cyber bullied.

 **Students**: • Never share or give out personal information, like your phone number, email, or passwords to websites or people you do not know well. • Tell a trusted adult if you are being bullied. • If possible, do not read messages by cyber bullies, • Do not delete messages; they can be used to take action. • Block bully's on instant messaging and chat rooms if possible. • Do not open a message from someone you don't know, • Do not respond to the person bullying you.

Though all of these tips are valuable, remember that cyber bullies can also be anonymous or even one or more of your friends. Telling an adult is the best way to stop the abuse from happening.

**Parents**: • Pay attention to how and when your children are using the Internet. • Become more tech savvy. • Install blocking or filtering software. • Let your child(ren) know that he/she can talk to you if they are being bullied <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">• Limit your child's time using the Internet. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">• Develop some family rules about internet use. Make sure that **Where** your kids can go online, **What** they can do there, **How long** they can stay online, **What to do** if they become uncomfortable, **How to protect** themseleves and their personal information, and **How to behave** ethically and responsibly online is included.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Schools**: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">• Make sure students are aware of school policies for acceptable Internet and cell phone use and enforce them. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">• Do not tolerate bullying in any form, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">• Ensure that children and young people are aware that all bullying concerns will be dealt with sensitively and effectively. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">• Ensure that parents/guardians expressing bullying concerns have them taken seriously.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The most important thing for parents and schools to remember is to never dismiss a student who discloses that they are being bullied online. Being bullied is **not** an acceptable part of growing up and it does not always work itself out in the end. Students will not talk about their problems if they feel they will not be taken seriously. bullying is emotionally devestating