Microsoft backs campaign against cyberbullying in Malta

Bullies are notorious for tormenting their victims face to face – at school, on the playground, in sports. But now, cyberbullying (or online bullying) opens the door to 24-hour harassment through computers, mobile phones, gaming consoles, and other internet-enabled means.

The full scope of cyberbullying – using the internet for repeated, unwanted, or cruel behaviour against someone – is difficult to measure. However, research indicates that between 30 and 50 per cent of teens report having been a victim of online bullying. A Microsoft study showed that two in five parents surveyed, reported that their teen has been affected by cyberbullying, either as a victim, bully, or witness.

Microsoft this year supported the recently organised Safer Internet Day, a global campaign promoting a healthy internet for all, organised by Insafe and co-founded by the European Union to promote more responsible use of online technologies and services. In this regard, Microsoft Malta has joined forces with the eLearning Center, responsible for ICT use in public schools, and produced and distributed educational material to all pupils, parents and teachers in all government schools in Malta and Gozo. These include guidelines for parents and teachers guides.

But how does cyberbullying work? Microsoft explains that unlike physical bullying, where the victim can often walk away, the internet is always “on.” And, cyberbullying can be virtually invisible to parents and other adults. A cyberbully may send hurtful or threatening messages to a victim’s phone, harass a person in an online game, post embarrassing pictures on a social website like Facebook, or share a humiliating video online.

Forwarding confidential e-mails or text messages, deliberately shutting someone out of an online group, Impersonating the victim and then posting hateful comments on a blog or pretending to befriend someone, gain his or her trust, and then betray that trust are all forms of cyberbullying.

The consequences of cyberbullying are equally harsh. Victims of cyberbullying may withdraw from friends, avoid school, experience depression, lash out, consider–or even commit–suicide. And, the bully’s abuse can echo forever when college administrators, employers, friends, and others who search the internet for a name years later find the lies and insults.

Help kids avoid cyberbullying:

Encourage children to make friends and look out for each other.

Watch over kids. Ask about online activities and look for signs of online bullying.

Talk with kids about cyberbullying. Encourage them to come to you and not to be bullies themselves – make the consequences clear; urge kids not to share personal information or devices that could be used to bully them.

What to do if someone is cyberbullying your child:

Act immediately by letting them know you can and will help.

Acknowledge the pain. Affirm what happened isn’t right and that they’re not at fault.

Tell your kids not to respond or retaliate, but save any evidence for authorities.

Block anyone whose behavior is inappropriate or threatening.

Report the problem. Consider reporting fellow students to the school. Report bullying on a website where the abuse occurred. (e.g. in Microsoft services or software look for a report abuse link or contact www.microsoft.com/reportabuse.)

Educators can take a proactive approach to cyberbullying before it becomes a greater problem at school. We recommend schools take the following steps:

Develop and implement a formal policy for the school.

Provide training on how to address cyberbullying for faculty and staff.

Provide education for students and parents on:

What cyberbullying is and how it works.

How to help kids avoid cyberbullying.

What to do if a child is a cyberbully or is being cyberbullied.