When you are aware, you are empowered and less likely to be victimized.

Be aware of situations in your environment and those around you, both online and off, that may not be safe.

Doing things such as staying with a friend and memorizing your parents’ phone numbers can help keep you safe.

Using knowledge of safe versus unsafe situations to determine if someone’s behavior or social interactions, both online and off, are unsafe or inappropriate.

Use good decision making skills to respond to new or unsafe situations, online and in-person.

Try to get away from unsafe situations or people, or continue to stay away from them people or situations you know are unsafe.

If you are safely able to, help a friend to also get away from an unsafe situation, whether or not they know that it’s unsafe or not.

Know that you have a right to be safe and know that you can use a strong or assertive voice if you or others are in an unsafe situation.

You can do this by saying “No” to someone who is behaving unsafely or inappropriately, or is violating your personal boundaries.

Tell, or report, a Safe Adult about unsafe or inappropriate situations or behaviors.

Not telling allows the problem to continue to grow and may cause more long-term consequences.

No matter what happens, it is important to know you should never feel ashamed to seek help and talk to a Safe Adult.

You are not to blame and it is never too late to tell.

Talking to a Safe Adult can help you learn and stay safe.

Bullying is repeated acts of hostility or aggression where there is a real or perceived imbalance of power and the victim cannot defend himself or herself. There are 4 types of bullying:

• Physical

• Verbal

• Social/Isolation

• Digital

Cyberbullying is repeated, threatening or harassing behavior that occurs online via the Internet or cellphone and can include:

• Sending harassing messages

• Posting false information

• Posting private pictures

• Gaining someone’s trust to impersonate them and post their private information online

• Suddenly reluctant to go to school

• Frequently loses lunch money or other possessions

• Frequently spends time alone

• Seems sad or depressed

• Suicidal

• Frequent cuts or bruises

• Injuries without good explanation

• Voices frequent physical complaints

• Changes in sleeping/eating patterns

• Ripped/torn clothing upon return from school

• Missing items or valuables

• Spends large amounts of time online, especially at night or when alone

• Receives an excessive amount of email or text messages

• Quickly exits computer or cell phone when parent or guardian approaches

• Withdrawn or depressed

• Does not want to go to school