When a cyberbullying incident occurs, it is important that schools, teens and families work together to minimize the potentially devastating consequences for the targeted individual and the school community as a whole. Following are some ideas on prevention and intervention for administrators, educators, family members and students.

For Administrators and Educators:

Prevention

• Set clear school guidelines for technology use and update policies accordingly
• Educate youth about ethical standards for online activities
• Increase awareness of Internet safety strategies among youth and their families
• Institute supervision and monitoring practices that keep relevant staff informed about how technology is being used at your site
• Establish safe and confidential reporting mechanisms
• Designated a cyberbullying “expert” at your institution who is responsible for keeping up with laws, policies, best practice and current trends.
• Model appropriate technology use
• Be vigilant and look for warning signs that a young person might be a target or perpetrator of cyberbullying

• Save the e-mail or other evidence
• Investigate, respond, and determine appropriate consequences
• Involve law enforcement when extremely harmful online speech (including harassment, stalking and threats of violence) is involved
• Consult with your institution’s legal counsel to ensure that disciplinary measures are in line with your policies and the law
• Follow up with the perpetrator’s family to establish ongoing communication and consistent expectations
• Provide support to the target and the target’s family in coping with the impact of cyberbullying
• Block harassers from continuing to victimize target
• Help target file complaints with Internet and cell phone service providers
• Reach out to other schools and organizations to share information about ongoing cyberbullying problems
• Discuss strategies for responding to cyberbullying and ways to be an ally with all youth
  

• Talk to your child about responsible online behavior.
• Monitor the amount of time your child spends online and provide guidance for online surfing.
• Set up the computer in a common area where you can supervise your child’s Internet use.
• Purchase tracking software to block inappropriate Web content and check your child’s online activities.
• Encourage your child to tell a parent or trusted adult about threatening or harassing messages.
• Discuss and provide opportunities to practice strategies for responding to cyberbullying.
• Exemplify safe use of the Internet.
• Encourage your child’s personal responsibility in respectful Internet use.

• Don’t reply to cyberbullying and save the evidence.
• Block offending e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers, or change your child’s phone number and e-mail address.
• Try to identify the perpetrator and contact the parents if feasible.
• Report incidents and file complaints with communication services providers and Web sites where the cyberbullying is occurring.
• Report any potential criminal behavior related to cyberbullying to law enforcement
• Get legal advice.
• Notify your child’s school of the problem.

For Youth:

If you are the target of cyberbullying:

• Don’t respond to bullying or inappropriate messages, but save them as evidence.
• Don’t feel shame.  Discuss any online incidents that make you feel uncomfortable with a trusted adult, such as a family member, teacher or school counselor.
• Always report online bullying, hate incidents, inappropriate sexual activity and threats of harm to self or others to an adult family member (such as a parent), school authorities and the police.
• Block the e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers of people who are sending unwanted messages; if the messages continue, an adult family member can help you to change your phone numbers, e-mail addresses or screen names.  
• File complaints with e-mail services, Internet Service Providers, Web sites, cell phone companies, etc. Service providers can find the offenders, cancel their service, and report them to the police if necessary.
• When in doubt about what to do, log off the computer and ask for help from a trusted adult.