Report bullying and cyberbullying here
What is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is intentional and repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
Types of Bullying:
Physical: hitting, punching, shoving
Verbal: name-calling, teasing
Social and Emotional: intimidation using gestures, spreading rumors, social exclusion
Cyberbullying: using the internet, cellphones or other digital technologies to harm others
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, students are spending more time online socializing with friends and family and distance learning. With this increased time online, students may be exposed to or engage in cyberbullying, whether they are the victim, the bully, or a witness.
More about Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of an electronic device such as a cellphone, Chromebook/computer, gaming system, and tablet. Cyberbullying happens when someone messages, comments, tweets, snaps, posts, or shares negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. In other words, it's anything that gets posted online and is meant to hurt, harass, or upset someone else.
What should I do if I'm being cyberbullied?
Tell someone - As with any type of bullying it is so important that you don’t suffer in silence, and you tell a trusted adult, such as a parent or teacher, as soon as possible.
Report the behavior
To the Riverside Meadows online bullying site. The Principal, Vice Principal, and School Counselor monitors the online bullying reporting system located below or on the homepage of the school website. Reports are investigated and followed up by the Principal or Vice Principal. Reporting is confidential.
2. To the social media network. All social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, Youtube, etc. have report abuse buttons. Games consoles also have advice on their websites to report cyberbullying. Reporting is usually anonymous, so the person will not know that you have reported the content.
Block the person - Most social media sites will give you the option to block and report the person/group cyberbullying you. When you block someone, it usually means that the person will no longer be able to contact you or see any of your content.
Save the evidence - It is really important that you save or copy any of the cyberbullying such as texts or conversations you received, so you have evidence of cyberbullying.
Don't respond- It may be very tempting to reply to the person or group, but don’t become a cyberbully yourself. Deal with the bully by blocking and reporting the abuse. It can be hard not to write back, but it is always best not to retaliate. Sometimes, the people bullying you are looking to get a reaction out of you, and answering back can just make it worse.
Stay positive - Although it may feel like you do not have control of the situation, you can. Make sure you do the steps above, and talk to a trusted adult. Your trusted adult cares for you, and will work with you to stop the cyberbullying. Stay positive, you are not alone, and things will get better.
What you can do if you see someone being bullied online?
Show support for the individual(s) being bullied.
Choose not to join in on the bullying. You may feel pressure to join in if a lot of other people are. You can make your own choice not to contribute to the bullying.
Don’t “like” or share posts that are bullying someone. When you see negative behavior happening online, don’t contribute to it.
Respond with positive support. If you feel comfortable, and if it is safe for you, publicly show your solidarity with the person being targeted by the bullying. Even one nice comment among a bunch of mean ones can make a world of difference.
Reach out to the person being bullied. Send them a private message letting them know that you don’t agree with what’s happening, they don’t deserve to be treated like that, and they’re not alone. Encourage them to report the bullying, or to tell an adult.
Document and report
Let an adult know what’s happening. Don't delete the post, take a picture or screenshot the post and tell an adult you trust.
Report the behavior to the social media network. Some companies provide guidelines for how to report and address cyberbullying on their sites.
Report the behavior to the Riverside Meadows online bullying site. The Principal, Vice Principal, and School Counselor monitors the online bullying reporting system located below or on the homepage of the school website. Reports are investigated and followed up by the Principal or Vice Principal. Reporting is confidential.
Cyberbullying is never acceptable or tolerated, and you should report the content (pictures, text, group, etc.) to a trusted adult, the Plumas Lake Elementary School District Anonymous Bullying Reporting site, and the social media site.
Please visit the following sources used for more detailed information on Bullying/Cyberbullying Prevention:
KnowBullying Mobile App: A new free mobile app that has been designed by SAMHSA. The KnowBullying app provides parents with tips, conversation starters, and warning signs to help parents recognize bullying. To learn more about the KnowBullying app click here.
StopBullying.Gov: A site for older children with facts about bullying, what they can do about it, and games and videos with antibullying messages.
PACER Center's Teens Against Bullying: A site that teaches teens about bullying, prevention, and intervention.
PACER Center's Kids Against Bullying: A child-friendly site with games, videos, and information to help them prevent and intervene in bullying situations.
BrainPop: A site that offers engaging learning games, animated movies, and activities to teach tweens and teens on core subjects and social-emotional learning.
BrainPOP Jr.: A site that offers engaging learning games, animated movies, and activities to teach kids on core subjects and social-emotional learning.