What Every Sheriff Needs to Know About Cyberbullying
There are two different types of cyberbullying, which is defined as any cyber-communication or publication posted or sent by a minor online that is intended to frighten, embarrass, harass, or otherwise target another minor.
In the first type of cyberbullying, a direct attack, messages are sent to victims directly. For example, kids may send threatening messages to other kids via instant messaging or text messaging.
A direct cyberbullying attack can also involve the perpetrator posing as the victim. For instance, a cyberbully could post a provocative message in a hate group’s chatroom, posing as the victim. These messages also typically include the name, address, and telephone number of the victim–which makes it easy for the hate group to locate them.
Another type of cyberbullying is called cyberbullying by proxy, which involves using others to help cyberbully the victim, either with or without the accomplice’s knowledge.
For example, a cyberbully could provoke the victim in an online conversation, forcing them to lash back. After the victim retaliates, the cyberbully saves the communication and forwards it to the victim’s parents–who, without seeing evidence that their child was being provoked, think that they were the ones who “started it.”
This type of cyberbullying is the most dangerous kind, because cyberbullies can blame their accomplices–who have no legal leg to stand on when punitive actions are taken.
Both types of cyberbullying are prevalent among children. According to a poll conducted by the National Sheriff’s Association, 65 percent of students between the ages of 8 and 14 have been directly or indirectly involved in a cyberbullying incident, either as the one doing the bullying, the one being bullied, or a close friend of one or the other.
The consequences of such incidents can sometimes be very serious, involving suicide or even murder.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) from Sheriff (10/06); Vol. 58, No. 5, P. 6; Aftab, Parry.