What is cyberbullying?
“Cyber-bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies such as e-mail, cell phone and pager text messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web sites, and defamatory online personal polling Web sites, to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others.” (Bell Belsey,
www.cyberbullying.ca). Sacred Heart University takes this behavior very seriously, and it will be dealt with as “Harassment”, which is a violation of the code of conduct.
What to do if you’re being cyberbullied:
- Do not respond to rude and harassing emails, messages and postings
- Contact Public Safety if you feel personally threatened and feel that harm will come to you. Remember that you can use the Silent Witness system if you are uncomfortable giving your name
- Keep a journal of the bullying communication
- Contact the IT Department at Sacred Heart University if the bullying is coming from within Sacred Heart
- Look into blocking or blacklisting the bullying email address (in Outlook right click on the email and select 'junk e-mail', then click on add sender to block sender's list)
- Contact the IT Department to try to get the website removed if the cyberbully has a website that is defaming you
- Contact the Counseling Center to talk to a counselor about the emotional impact of being harassed
Resources: