Case Study 5

You have a right not to be bullied by others on the Internet and you have the right to report this to someone if this happens.

Could this be YOU?

Carla and Stacey used to be really good friends but recently after an argument they have not been speaking to each other. Carla has started to receive lots of nasty text messages saying some very hurtful and nasty things and she believes that Stacey has sent all the messages.

Carla confronts Stacey and they get into an argument and Carla becomes very upset. Unbeknown to Carla, some of Stacey’s friends video her being upset and upload it to a website. A link to the website is sent to Carla and when she clicks onto it she finds a website with the video of her being upset after the argument and a vote for who thinks Carla is a loser.

Carla is very upset about the incident and at first does not tell anyone but eventually she tells her mum. Her parents make an appointment with the Institute. The Institute take the issue really seriously and ask for a copy of all the text messages and the e-mails. With Carla's permission a referral is made to the police by the Institute as the case is clearly harassment and the police take over the investigation.

What to do if it happening to you?

Cyber bullying is when one person or a group of people aim to threaten, tease or embarrass someone else by using a mobile phone, the internet or other technologies.

Please remember that professionals and parents take issues of cyber-bullyiog seriously and if it is happening to you there are a number of things you can do to prevent it. Always remember if you see it happening to someone else then you must report it because if you laugh at it YOU are part of it!

1. 'Block' the bully
2. DON'T retaliate or reply
3. Save the evidence (this is really important!!)
4. Make sure you tell someone – like a member of the Safeguarding Team

Back