Cyberbullying: Crossing the Line

Stacey's Story: When Rumors Escalate Match the vocabulary word on the left with the correct definition on the right. harassing bombarding someone with messages over digital media, or repeated contact when it is least expected hate speech a verbal attack targeting someone because of their race, gender, religion or ability cyberbullying using technology, the Internet or cell phones to upset someone else on purpose, often over and over again target the person being cyberbullied Why did the girls start to harass and threaten Stacey online in the first place? When do you think the girls’ behavior “crossed the line”? Stacey says, “People talk really big, when there’s, like, miles between you.” What do you think she means by this statement? In what ways might the online context make the situation worse than if the bully had harassed Stacey offline? Stacey’s mom says that Stacey should call the school and report the incidents. Stacey responds that it would “just make it worse.” Do you think this is true? Why or why not? Sondra's Story Sondra is planning a birthday sleepover. Her parents have set a limit of eight girls, so Sondra can’t invite everyone she’d like.Two girls, who are left out of the party, overhear the plans. They decide to create a “We Hate Sondra Jones” website. They say that anyone invited to the party should not go. They share the website with everyone in school. The girls also tell everyone to add new reasons why they hate Sondra and to spread mean rumors about her.When Sondra hears about the site, she gets a sick feeling in her stomach. Each day she finds a new mean comment or joke about her on the website. She feels hurt and embarrassed. She tells her parents she is sick, so she won’t have to go to school. Is this a cyberbullying situation? Why or why not? Who are the cyberbullies? How do you think Sondra feels? Why do you think the two girls made the mean website about Sondra? What advice would you give Sondra about how to handle the situation?