Cyber Safety & Sexting

Cyber Safety

            Cyber bullying is a form of bullying that takes place using an electronic medium. All forms of cyber bullying include four features; negative or hurtful behavior, intent to harm, imbalance of power and repetition over time.

            The current Illinois Cyber Bullying Law identifies cyber bullying as harassing someone using electronic communication such as the Internet and/or text messaging and enables the prosecution of someone who anonymously bullies in this capacity. Those found guilty of cyber bullying could be charged with a Class 4 felony which is punishable by up to three years in prison.

            Cyber bullying comes in several forms, all with the same basis, to intentionally hurt or upset another person. Examples include: sending someone a mean or threatening e-mail or text message, tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sending it to others, breaking into someone’s e-mail account to send cruel or untrue messages while posing as that person, creating websites or blogs to make fun of a peer or using websites to rate peers as prettiest, ugliest, fattest and so on.

            Cyber bullying can be prevented by guarding personal information. Never give out personal information online, whether in profiles, chat rooms, blogs or personal websites. If a mean or threatening message is received, do not respond because reaction constitutes victory for a bully. Instead, print the message and show it to a trusted adult.

            Sexting is another dangerous and potentially harmful form of communication that can be prevented. Sexting is when people send naked pictures or sexual messages over a cell phone or through the internet. People sext because it may seem like a fun and private way to share messages with another person, yet it can quickly turn dangerous. Pictures or messages can be shared with others and are no longer private between two people. Sending naked pictures or detailed sexual messages can be misleading, meaning it may show someone is interested in sex when they really aren’t.

            Not only is sexting dangerous, it may also be illegal. Creating, giving out or just having a picture of a person under the age of 18 is considered child pornography and can be prosecuted as a state or federal felony and could lead to prison time.

            Sexting is preventable. It’s important to recognize the fact that anything a person sends through the internet or a cell phone may not always remain private. Just like rumors, pictures and text messages can be just as easily spread to others. Always remember that anything in cyberspace will never truly go away. Possible recruiters, job employers, friends, parents or coaches can always retrieve information found on the internet. Always be smart when sending a text message or e-mail and be conscious of what the receiver may think of the message.