Cyberbullying, which is sometimes referred to as online social cruelty or electronic bullying, has been defined as "an aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself."

Suggestions for Parents: Tips To Help Prevent Cyberbullying:

• Make an agreement with your children to keep all internet capable devices out of children's bedrooms. 
• Talk regularly with your child about online activities that he or she is involved in.
• Talk specifically about cyberbullying and encourage your child to tell you immediately if he or she is the victim of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, or other illegal or troublesome online behavior.  Explain that you will not take away their technology if they confide in you about a problem they are having.

Cyberbullying can involve:

• Sending mean, vulgar, or threatening messages or images
• Posting sensitive, private information and/or lies about another person
• Pretending to be someone else in order to make that person look bad
• Intentionally excluding someone from an online group

Children and youth can cyberbully each other through:

• Emails
• Instant messaging
• Text or digital imaging messages sent on cell phones
• Social networking sites
• Web pages
• Blogs
• Chat rooms or discussion groups
• Other cyber technologies