1. • 1

     Ignore any insulting emails, instant messages or other postings from cyberbullies. Approximately 81 percent of cyberbullies harass people because they think the reactions are funny, according to the National Crime Prevention Council, so they may stop if no one goes along with the "joke."

   • 2

     Change the settings of any instant messaging programs to allow specified friends only. This will prevent any bullies from being able to personally attack you while you're online.

   • 3

     Switch any social networking profiles to private and only add people you actually know and are friends with. Contact the site's moderator if a cyberbully sends you threatening private messages or if you see unauthorized postings with your photograph or personal information on his page. This type of behavior is usually a Terms of Service violation and the site will delete the page and ban the bully.

   • 4

     Change your passwords if a cyberbully has hacked into any of your online accounts. Never tell anyone else your passwords because you never know if they will use them against you. Switch usernames or email addresses to make contacting you more difficult.

   • 5

     Print out any emails, instant messages or web pages that contain any harassing material if the cyberbully continues to target you. Save any text messages in your phone as well. Show them to your school principal if it occurs on school computers or take them to the police if you fear for your personal safety.

Tips & Warnings

• If you really want to prevent cyberbullying, write a letter to your local community leaders so they can come up with new ways to deal with the problem.

• Do not ignore personal threats just because they are made via technology because you never know if the cyberbully will follow through, so always report them to the police.

• Do not retaliate against the cyberbully because it will only continue the cycle, not prevent it.

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