Cyberbullying happens when bullies torment others through the use of cell phones, computers, and such. It's a technological niche that comes with its own lingo. Here's what all those words mean:
A-I
Acceptable Internet Use Policies (AIUPs) - policies that schools implement to deal with online issues, including cyberbullying.
Bash board - slang for a virtual chat room (see below) or an online bulletin board (see below).
Blog - a journal or diary that is posted online for everyone to read instead of in a traditional notebook.
Buddy list - the list of people you have agreed to accept instant messages from in order to chat.
Chat room - an online meeting place where people communicate. One person types a message and once they hit enter, the message appears on the other person's monitor. Most online services offer a chat feature.
Children's Online Privacy Protection (COPPA) - a U.S. federal law that details the collection of personal information of children under 13 years of age.
Creeping - similar to stalking in the real world, creeping is following someone online through their status updates, profiles, websites, and such.
Cyberbully - someone who torments others using technological methods.
Cyberbullying - using technology to tease, torment, intimidate, or harass others.
Cyberpredators - people who prey on others online.
Cyberspace - the invisible space made up by the Internet, websites, and emails.
Cyberstalking - this involves stalking someone online and can lead up to threatening to hurt someone offline.
Digital bullying - another phrase for cyberbullying.
E-crimes - slang for electronic crimes.
Electronic bullying - another phrase for cyberbullying.
Email service provider - a company that provides email services.
Enhanced messaging service - usually called EMS. This is text messaging kicked up a notch. EMS users can send a text message and incorporate sounds, pictures, and animations.
Flame emails - emails containing lewd language and comments.
Flaming - use of crude comments and rude language in online communications.
Guestbook - this page on a web site allows visitors to leave comments.
Internet bullying - another phrase for cyberbullying.
Instant messaging - an online communication tool such as MSN or AOL. It allows computer users to chat in real time through messages sent from one computer to another. They go into a private chat room to converse with the other person. Instant messaging, also known as IM, is the number one activity of teenagers online.
Internet service provider - a company that provides Internet access to its users. Also called Internet access provider (IAP).
Internet usage - time spent online.
J-P
Multimedia messaging service - also called MMS. This is text messaging and EMS kicked up a couple notches. It allows the user to send not only a text message but to also include videos, pictures, sounds, and other images.
Netiquette - online etiquette.
Online bulletin board - a meeting place online where people can post messages.
Online poll - some websites have polls where you can vote on a question. Some are cruel such as ugliest person or most likely to be a failure.
PDA - personal data assistant. A device that lets you make phone calls, check your email, and go on the Internet. The brand names include the Palm Pilot, Treo, and Blackberry, among others.
Plugged in - connected to technology somehow, via cell phone, computer, iTouch, etc.
Q-Z
Screen name - a nickname someone online gives themself so they don't use their real name online.
Short message service - commonly referred to as SMS. It means a cell phone has the ability to send and receive text messages.
Spam - junk email or email from someone you don't know.
Terms of service agreement - the virtual contract between a website and its users. By accessing a website, you agree to their terms of service agreement.
Text message - these are short messages that are typed and sent from one cell phone to another.
Virtual world - The online presence that people create for themselves through the websites they visit and the people they chat and interact with.
Voting booths - a website that allows users to create an online polling station or voting booth. People go to the website to cast their vote.
Webcam - a video device that is in or attached to a computer that enables you to send pictures or videos over the Internet.
Weblog - now simply just called a blog (see above).
For more information on cyberbullying, check out:
- Facts About Cyberbullying
- What to do When Your Child is the Victim of a Cyberbully
- Technology Used by Cyberbullies
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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