When confronted with a cyber bully, it is important to capture evidence of the abuse. In some cases the cyber bully may post comments onto sites such as Facebook and later delete them so there is no physical record. In other cases they use a live chat feature where the dialogue is not saved. Many people are unsure of how to record evidence of cyber-bullying but it is an easy process to learn.

Step One – Capture a Screenshot

A screenshot is like a photo of what is currently on your computer screen. Instead of just saving text or images, it saves them in their original context such as a Facebook page. This gives them more credibility if they are later used as evidence. Here are simple instructions of how to capture a screenshot:

• In the top right hand side of your keyboard is a key that says “PRTSC” on it. This is short for “print screen” and is the one you need to press to capture what is currently on your computer screen.
• Open “Paint” which you will find by going to your program list and looking under “Accessories”.
• Click on the “edit” button which will give you an option to “paste”. Click paste and the screenshot should appear in Paint.

Step Two – Storing the Screenshot

Once you have the screenshot on the screen in Paint, you need to save it as an image:

• To do this, click on the “File” button followed by the “Save as” button. This will open a list of folders on your computer and there should be one named “Pictures” or “My Pictures”.
• Click on the folder to open it. The screen will ask you for a name to save the file as and will also ask for the file type. Type in a name for the image such as Cyber1 and label subsequent ones as Cyber2, Cyber3 etc.
• If you wish, you can create a new subfolder inside pictures and label it as Cyber-bullying or Cyber Evidence. Do this by opening pictures, right clicking the mouse and clicking on “New” and then “Folder”. A folder icon will appear and you can type in the name you want to give it.
• Select JPEG as the file format as this is the best one to use.

Step Three – Finding the Stored Screenshot

Finding your stored screenshots is as easy as opening your pictures folder and then the Cyber-bullying folder within it if you decided to create one. The images can then be printed, emailed or transferred onto your camera’s SD card.

Step Four – Emailing the Screenshot

In some cases, you may need to email your captured screenshots to the police, lawyers or other people who are involved in your case. This is a simple process and can be accomplished as follows:

• Open the saved screenshot folder and decide which images you want to send by email. Make a note of their name/number.
• If your email goes through Outlook Express, select the images by holding down the “Control” key and clicking on them. The computer will highlight them for you.
• Right click on one of the pictures and a list of options will appear. Select “Send to” and the computer will open a new email with the pictures attached. All you need to do is type in the email address you want to send them to.
• If using Gmail, Hotmail or similar, open a new email. Look for the option to “Attach” or “Insert” a file and click on this. It will open a list of folders through which you can access your Picture folder. Hold down the “Control” key and click on the images you wish to send.

Providing evidence is an important step to putting an end to cyber-bullying. Get into the habit of saving all abusive communications as outlined above and this can be the difference between failing to stop a cyber-bully and nipping their actions in the bud.

There are new tools such as CanProve www.canprove.com that are being developed to automate this process and make it much easier to capture the online evidence.

Cyber-bullying has become more and more of a problem as the cyber world has developed over the last decade. While all age groups are susceptible, teenagers are often targeted. According to the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) website, there are actions young people can take to stop the flow of cyber abuse.

Block Communication with the Cyberbully

It is essential to block communication in every way possible. Ideas include the following:

• Getting a new cell phone number and only sharing it with trusted friends.
• Changing their email address and being careful how it is used
• Use privacy settings on social networks such as Facebook and only accept friendship requests from genuine friends.

Report Cyberbullying to a Trusted Adult

The NCPC website recommends a teenager confides in a trusted adult if they are being victimized by a cyberbully. Adults have the advantage of maturity and are often able to bring a fresh perspective to the situation. They can help the teen work through the process of blocking and stopping a cyberbully and also bring reassurance and comfort. Educators, school administrators, victim service providers, law enforcement, community partners, and parents can all help to put an end to cyberbullying.

Report Cyberbullying to an Internet Service Provider or Website Moderator

If cyber-bullying takes the form of emails or comments in public forums, it is worth contacting the internet service provider. In many cases if adequate evidence is produced, they will be willing to block the offender. It should be noted that this may only bring temporary relief as some cyberbullies sign up with different details and user names.  Sites like www.canprove.com could help with collecting this evidence.

Delete Messages without Reading Them

It is tempting to read messages and look at photos but it is far better for a teen to delete them. This is especially true if they are sent through a private medium such as email or texting. If it is in a more public arena such as on Facebook, the teen should delete any posts on their page and ignore the comments. Cyberbullies thrive on the reactions they get.

Talk to a Friend about the Cyberbullying

The NCPC states that it is good for a teen to discuss the cyberbullying with a friend. A teen of similar age will instinctively understand the level of pain and emotional upset that abusive communication causes and will be able to offer some measure of comfort. A cyberbullied teen often feels hopeless and sad and their self esteem and enjoyment in life may plummet. A good friend can make a huge difference and they can also encourage the teen to follow the steps above in trying to stop the cyberbullying.

It is essential to address the problem of cyberbullying face-on and take steps to stop it. With the support of family, friends and trusted adults, a teenager can halt the flow of abuse and go on to live a life free of cyber insults and harassment.

MTV launched a “Thin Line” to stop digital abuse and a new Associated Press-MTV poll of youth in their teens and early 20s finds that most of them — 56 percent — have been the target of some type of online taunting, harassment or bullying, a slight increase over just two years ago.

Cyber-bullying is defined as the use of the internet, cell phones and other electronic devices to harass, hurt and embarrass another person. It frequently takes the form of ridicule, threats, embarrassing photos and gossip. In some cases a group of teens may gang up and launch a cyber-bullying campaign against an individual. The sheer volume of the attack can be devastating to a young person.

Adults including parents, family members, teachers and sports coaches may be aware that a teen is going through a difficult time, but are unable to pinpoint what the problem is. This is because adolescents often hide the cyber-abuse as they are ashamed, embarrassed and don’t know how to stop it. There are signs adults can look out for that a teen is being harassed electronically.

As a parent, how do you identify signs that your teenager is being cyber bullied?  Well, there are many ways. Here are six based on my observations.   Feel free to add signs from your experience.

1. Cyber-bullying can cause a marked change in the amount of time a teen spends online. In some cases they may increase the time as they endeavour to stop the abuse by defending themselves. Others withdraw from computer and cell phone use.
2. Questions about computer usage are evaded and the teen may be secretive about what they are doing. Watch out for a young person who erases their browser history and quickly closes screens when adults enter the room.
3. Mood changes after texting or chatting online can be a sign that the adolescent is being bullied.  They could become upset, angry or withdrawn.
4. Cyber-bullying can affect a teen’s school work, especially if the bullies are at the same school. Grades may drop and the young person spends an inordinate amount of time worrying about the bullying and how to stop it.
5. The emotional impact of cyber-harassment often affects a teen physically. They may lose their appetite or develop aches and pains.
6. In some cases, the adolescent loses interest in socializing and retreats to their bedroom. Parents are assured that nothing is wrong but there obviously is. Even if they vocalize their suspicions about cyber-bullying, the child may deny it.

Cyber-bullying in teens is a serious matter.  At the very least it leads to emotional upset and low self esteem. Before parents or other adults can help the teen, they need to understand what cyber-bullying is and how it can affect a young person. Armed with that knowledge, they can make a focused effort to help the teen bring it to an end.

We are developing a tool at www.canprove.com which will help teens and parents to easily capture the online evidence on cyber bullying and expose it to teachers and authorities to stop the harassment.