The site ThatsNotCool.com is having a Callout Card Contest, where you can win some really cool prizes. ThatsNotCool.com is trying to raise awareness about the dangers of digital bullying through electronic Callout Cards, which I think are awesome because almost all of the Callout Cards that are posted on their site are hilarious. I love the sarcasm! I think that the sarcasm in these cards can help make it easier for a victim of digital bullying, or a friend of a victim, to address the issue head-on without being overly confrontational. As much as I love the sarcasm in the Callout Cards, digital bullying and cyber stalking are actually really serious issues. I know a few people that have had to change their phone numbers because of harassing and unwanted text messages, myself included. I also know a few other people who have had to delete their facebook and Myspace accounts to avoid being contacted by a certain person. If you or someone you know is being harassed by someone online or through text messages, it is important to do something about it. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, continued harassment can contribute to depression, decreased self-worth and a sense of hopelessness and loneliness. How do you know if you are being cyber-bullied? Cyber bullying is when the internet or cell phone is used to send or post text or images that are intended to hurt or embarrass someone. This includes online threats, sexual remarks, disclosure of personal information, and the spread of rumors by someone or a group of individuals online (National Crime Prevention Council). It is also considered digital bullying when someone keeps emailing you and texting you when you don’t want them to. What can you do? There are many things that you can do to deal with someone who is harassing you online. The most important thing is to do something about it. Don’t sit back and be passive when someone is messing with you online or on the phone, because being harassed by another person is not good for your mental health or happiness. No one deserves to have someone else make them feel bad. Here are my Top 3 Tips:

1. Save the evidence. Save or print what someone has written about you so that you have proof. You may need it to show to a parent, teacher, school, or police officer so that they can do something about it.
2. Tell someone. Tell someone who can help you do something if you are being bullied, whether it is a friend, teacher, parent or another trusted adult. You can even tell your school anonymously.
3. Don’t make things worse. As much as you might want to start a nasty rumor or post embarrassing information to retaliate against the person who is bullying you, it is best not to because it might make things more complicated or get you in trouble.

Check out these links to learn more about what you can do to stop cyber bullying:

• Connect Safely
• Stop Cyber Bullying
• CyberMentors
• That's Not Cool
• NCPC.org: Cyberbullying