Cyberbullying and the Bystander - Bullying - Australian Human ...

“I HATE cyberbullying…it is so mean and cruel…” [53,F,13]“Kids feel powerful when they are behind their computer or texting on their phones, so people saythings they wouldn't usually say, but this is no excuse as it is more hurtful and a lot more people cansee.”[159,F,15]In addition, some students expressed comments about students‟ rights in relation to bullying situations:“Everyone has the right to live without the fear of being bullied but some people think it‟s their right toharass another person out of their own free will.”[85,F,14]“Everyone has their own right to be safe.”“[If someone is cyberbullied] they have every right to tell someone.”“Everyone has the right to be defended.”[137,F,15][204,F,16][236,F,17]Strategies young people would use toward the person bullying othersOf those students who indicated they would initiate strategies directed toward the person engaging in thebullying behaviour, the majority stated they would ask the person bullying to stop this behaviour:“If there was a person being cyberbullied and I was witnessing it, I would first of all tell the bully to„back off‟…”[49,M,13]“I would ask the victim for permission to confront the bully. If I was given permission I would have atalk with the bully and ask them to leave the victim alone. But if I wasn't given permission I would justbe an extra ear and just help them out if they need it. I would help them because if I was bullied Iwould want someone to be by my side too.”[77,F,14]Some students also reported they would report the bullying behaviour to the authorities, such as police,if the situation was severe enough:“Report it to the police.”“…call the police about it to track down who the bully is.”[43,M,13][47,M,13]“The government need to take more action in cyberbullying and put up stronger laws aboutcyberbullying.”[39,F,13]Page 34 of 197