Does Cyberbullying Only Start at Age 13? Answers by Kids! - Episode 16

Age 13 is when teens are finally able to sign up for many social media accounts. But does cyberbullying only start at age 13 when teens start getting these accounts? In this week’s video, we asked kids about this and all things cyberbullying.

Transcript

Hey, welcome back to PACER talks about bullying. I'm Bailey. We're glad you're here.

This month, we are talking all about cyberbullying. In this week's video, we are so excited to have elementary and middle school students with us to answer a ton of questions about cyberbullying like does cyberbullying only started at age 13 when you get on social media? I think you will love their answers. They have some really great insight. Let's get into it. Do you think cyberbullying only starts at age 13 when teens start using social media?

No, because there's calling. There's texting. Some people still e-mail. And also because kids are starting to get phones earlier and earlier at like age nine now so --

No. Anyone who has access to social media can cyberbully. A lot of people don't cyberbully, but it's a lot easier for people to. So if someone's going to bully, it would probably be cyberbullying.

No, because there's online games on computers where you can interact with people, and people could also say really hurtful things.

It could happen on social media, of course, if you have an account that everyone can see. It could happen on online gaming that has, like, chat that everyone can see.

Do you think cyberbullying is just as hurtful as in-person bullying?

Definitely. Yes. I think that it is very hurtful. Both types of bullying are very hurtful so --

I think that all forms of bullying are the same. So it is just as hurtful but it might also be just a little more hurtful because if you don't know who the person is, it could scare you more.

Yes, and it's probably even more hurtful because you don't know who it is.

When you post something to the Internet, it doesn't go away for a long time or it's really hard then that could be difficult because people are going to just keep sharing it and like they'll have it there.

What ideas do you have about ways you can support someone experiencing cyberbullying?

Well, if you don't personally know them, like, you just see they commented or spamming hate at someone's, like, post or account, you could send them a message, just make them feel better.

Just tell them that they're, like, not alone and that they should talk to someone like a counselor or, like, a teacher. And just tell them, like, if it's happening on, like, Instagram or, like, Facebook to, like, block the person or, like, report it and just help them find resources that they could go to.

If you don't know the person in real life, then you could stand up for them. You could report other people giving that person encouragement.

Tell them to find a very trusted adult and just support them and tell them that they're not alone. And there's also state laws that can protect you from bullying.

You can tell them that they don't deserve to be treated that way and cheer them up.

And if you know them personally or in real life, give them verbal advice.

I think that you can just be there for them. And if they don't have anyone rooting for them, you could be that person.

And while that wraps up this week's episode, if you want more information on cyberbullying, you can visit our website pacer.org/bullying. We'll see you right back here next week. And remember, when we stand together, no one stands alone. See you.