Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying happens when kids bully each other through electronic technology. Find out why cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying, what you can do to prevent it, and how you can report it when it happens.

 

Laughing group of teens use their cell phones together. What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

 

A mother and her son work together on a computer. Prevent Cyberbullying 

Parents and kids can prevent cyberbullying. Together, they can explore safe ways to use technology.

 

Students Resources

Bullying

Anti-Defamation League

GirlsHealth.gov

GirlsHealth.gov  - (Office of Women's Health) - If you've ever been the target of harsh and unkind words, you know how hurtful it can be.  This section of girlshealth.gov gives you the low-down on bullying among girls, which is more common than you might think.

 

Facing History and Ourselves

 

Be the Change: Upstanders for Human Rights - interactive website for students. 

Hetrick Martin Institute

The Hetrick Martin Institute provides a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and their families.  Through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth development. Hetrick-Martin’s staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services and uses its expertise to create innovative programs that other organizations may use as models.

KidsHealth

National Crime Prevention Council

Advice for K-5 kids on McGruff.org

PACER Center  

PBS  It's My Life-

 What is Bullying? - No matter what situation or form it comes in, bullying can make you feel depressed, hurt, and alone.  So It's My Life put together this guide to give you all the basics of dealing with bullying. (age 9-12)

 

 

Cyberbullying (Students)

CommonSense Media

Cyberbullying Research Center

Cyberbullying Fact Sheet: What you need to know about online aggression

Teens’ Health
Dealing with Cyberbullying
Internet Safety Safe Surfing Tips for Teens 

Teaching Tolerance
Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry

Other Kinds of Resources

New York City Resource Guide for Teenage Victims of  Family Domestic Violence and Dating Violence, compiled by the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, is an excellent resource for students that includes hotline numbers and an index of organizations by borough.

 

An anxious young boy sits at a computer. Report Cyberbullying 

When cyberbullying happens, it is important to document and report the behavior so it can be addressed.

girl lounging in front of laptop   

Information for NYC Students

 

I have been the target of bullying behavior. What should I do?

Report your concerns

Students who believe they have been the target of bullying or intimidating behavior, harassment or discrimination by another student or by a staff member, and all students with knowledge of such behavior, should report the incident immediately.

Student-to-Student Behavior

If you believe you have been the target of bullying or intimidating behavior, harassment or discrimination by another student, please report your concerns immediately to your school’s Respect For All Liaison or to any other staff member.

If you have knowledge of such behavior happening to another student, please report the incident immediately to your school’s Respect For All Liaison or to any other staff member.

A student may make a report of bullying, intimidation, discrimination or harassment by another student in writing or orally to the school staff members listed on your school’s Respect for All posters which are displayed throughout your school or to any school staff member.

Please see the Respect For All posters displayed in your building for the staff member who are your school's Respect For All Liaisons.

Staff-to-Student Behavior

If you believe you have been the target of staff-to-student harassment, intimidation and/or bullying, please report your concerns to the principal /designee or to the Office of Special Investigations.

If you believe you have been the target of staff to student discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, citizenship/immigration status, weight, or disability, please report your concerns to the principal/designee or to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

All reports of harassment, discrimination and/or bullying behavior will be investigated. Reports should be made as soon as possible after the incident so they can be effectively investigated and addressed.

If, after reporting your concern, you need additional assistance, please email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov. 

All reports of harassment, discrimination and/or bullying behavior will be investigated. Please see Chancellor’s Regulation A-832 for Student-to-Student Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation, and/or Bullying, and the Policy Resources section of this website for more information about related policies.

Useful Links for Parents and Students

 

 

What's New

 

Respect for All Week

For the 2015-2016 school year, the NYC Department of Education has designated February 9-12, 2016 as Respect for All (RFA) Week in all NYC public schools.  During this week, schools will have opportunities to highlight and build upon ongoing diversity programs and curriculum-based instruction. Schools will also have opportunities to embark upon new initiatives that promote respect for diversity and engage students in meaningful lessons and/or other activities that focus on preventing bias-based harassment, intimidation and/or bullying.
  

 

Bureau of Children, Youth and Families

The Bureau of Children, Youth, and Families has released two new videos on NYC Teen that feature two young adults, Joseph and Amanda, who share their journey about coming to terms with their own sexual identity and finding self-acceptance. Their stories speak to all youth and let others know that even through tough times, there is hope and help.  All the videos (on topics such as bullying, anger, stress, dating violence, etc.) on NYC Teen have educational materials that teens and adults that work with them can access, including fact sheets, quizzes, polls, and resource guides. There is a direct and secure e-mail address for LIFENET that teens can use in addition to calling 1-800-LifeNet for support.   To view the videos go to www.nyc.gov/teenand click on the images on the home page.

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media has posted Parents' Top 10 Cyberbullying Questions in support of National Bullying Prevention Month.  In addition, click here to learn about the 15 Social Media Tools Parents Need to Know About

SAMHSA

To Prevent Bullying the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched KnowBullying - a free smartphone app that provides parents, caretakers, educators, and others information and support to address youth bullying. The KnowBullying mobile app, developed in collaboration with the federal partnership StopBullying.gov is available for iPhone and Android users.

Key features include:

  *   How to start a conversation with a child about bullying
  *   How to prevent bullying for ages 3-6, 7-13, and older teens
  *   How to recognize whether bullying is affecting a child
  *   How and when to talk with children about bullying issues
  *   Getting advice and support through social media-Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and text messages
  *   Educator-focused strategies for preventing bullying in the classroom and supporting children who are being bullied

Download the KnowBullying app and the promotional postcard and flier .

Learn about more resources at StopBullying.gov.