The Don’t Bully Me (DBM) Project is working to bridge the gap that exists between those who are victims of bullying, parents, schools, teachers and the rest of the community with the goal of putting an end to bullying. The DBM Project aims to focus on providing legal services to resolve – through court order or other legal remedies – situations where serious incidents of repeated physical, social, and/or verbal bullying is occurring.

Much of what is happening today lies in a lack of understanding of what cyberbullying is and how much pressure it puts on kids.  That’s where we can help you.  You can book a speaker through this website to speak at your school about the dangers of cyberbullying and educate your students on David’s Law.  Our presenters will educate students and staff on what cyberbullying is, what the laws are, and how you can help protect yourself and other students from being victims.

CYBERBULLYING
Children, Tweens, and Teens

Cyberbullying is the use of digital devices (cell phones, gaming consoles, computers, or tablets) to send, post, or share threatening, mean, intentionally embarrassing, or false information to someone either privately (one-to-one through text or messaging app) or publicly (social media, forums, gaming) online.

Key elements to consider

• Intention: The behavior is deliberate, not by accident
• Impact: The victim is harmed (afraid to go to school, depressed, anxious, fearful, etc.)
• Repeated: Bullying often occurs more than once, can be a single significant act, or combined with in-person bullying
• Power Imbalance: The perpetrator has more followers or is more popular, victim unable to reach into the screen and make it stop, or anonymity (the victim cannot identify the perpetrator)

Types of Cyberbullying

Suicide Baiting
Trolling
Catfishing
Impersonation
Doxing
Harassment
Flaming
Photoshopped Pictures
Cyberstalking
Outing
Spilling the Tea
Exclusion

Unique Characteristics

• Public
• Permanent
• Persistent (24/7)
• Easily spread
• Cyber-mob
• Frequently spread from one-platform to another
• Hard to recognize
  * Most states have laws requiring schools to respond to cyberbullying and may also have criminal statutes that apply when cyberbullying and harassment intersect.

Impact on the Victim

• Psychological: Increased emotional distress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation and attempts, indulging in harmful habits, substance use (illegal and prescription drugs, alcohol, smoking or vaping)
• Physical: Sleeping disturbance, eating disorders, stress-induced ailments
• Academic: Lower attendance, lack of attention, drop in grades, lack of interest in EC activities, change in friendships