Cyberbullying & Online Abuse
The National Film & Television School is committed to providing a positive experience for all students, staff, tutors and visitors. We believe that cyberbullying and online abuse are never acceptable.
What is cyberbullying and online abuse?
Cyberbullying or cyberharassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. This is also known as online bullying. With the increased use of online platforms, there has been an increase in cyberbullying, and other forms of online abuse.
Types of cyberbullying and online abuse?
There are many ways of bullying someone online and for some, it can take shape in more ways than one. Some types of cyberbulling are:
Harassment
This is the act of sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages and being abusive. Nasty or humiliating comments on posts, photos and in chat rooms.
Denigration
This is when someone may send information about another person that is fake, damaging and untrue. Sharing photos of someone for the purpose to ridicule, spreading fake rumours and gossip. This can be on any site online or on apps. We even hear about people altering photos of others and posting in online for the purpose of bullying.
This is when someone may send information about another person that is fake, damaging and untrue. Sharing photos of someone for the purpose to ridicule, spreading fake rumours and gossip. This can be on any site online or on apps. We even hear about people altering photos of others and posting in online for the purpose of bullying.
Flaming
This is when someone is purposely using really extreme and offensive language and getting into online arguments and fights. They do this to cause reactions and enjoy the fact it causes someone to get distressed.
Impersonation
This is when someone will hack into someone’s email or social networking account and use the person’s online identity to send or post vicious or embarrassing material to/about others. The making up of fake profiles on social network sites, apps and online are common place and it can be really difficult to get them closed down.
Outing and Trickery
This is when someone may share personal information about another or trick someone into revealing secrets and forward it to others. They may also do this with private images and videos too.
Cyber Stalking
This is the act of repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm, harassment, intimidating messages, or engaging in other online activities that make a person afraid for his or her safety. The actions may be illegal too depending on what they are doing.
Exclusion
This is when others intentionally leave someone out of a group such as group messages, online apps, gaming sites and other online engagement. This is also a form of social bullying and a very common.
If you think you or someone you know has been discriminated against, or suffered any sort of abuse, there are a variety of support options available to both students and staff. Talking things through with someone you trust such as a friend, relative, or colleague can sometimes help.
Support for Students
You can use the Support & Report system to report your concerns or speak to a Student Wellbeing Advisor from the School’s Student Support and Wellbeing team.
The School has a range of wellbeing support. If you are not sure who to contact, you can speak to an Advisor from the School’s Student Support and Wellbeing team who can provide guidance in a safe, confidential environment. They can be contacted via email swellbeing@nfts.co.uk or via Facebook Workplace.
Consider submitting extenuating circumstances if your studies have been/are being affected using the Schools Extenuating Circumstances Policy.
The Student Union President can speak with you about your situation, and make you aware of the support services available to you within the School and more widely, as well as to make you aware of your options. They can also help you to decide if you would like to report an incident, and can assist you in completing the reporting form.
Support for staff members
Talk to your line manager. Particularly if your work has been or is being affected.
Have an informal conversation with a member of the HR team or your trade union representative.
Use the Support & Report tool to make a named or anonymous report of what’s happened.
All staff have access to the School’s Employee Assistance Programme where you can find online resources as an immediate source of support.
https://www.legalandgeneral.com/…/worklife-solutions/eap/
Access Code is worklife
Password is solutions
Other sources of support
The National Bullying helpline website is an online advice and support community which you can call for support and advice 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 2255787/ 0300 323 0169. The website also provides further details of how to report bullying on social media outlets such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook.
You can find help, advice and support from Get Safe Online: Get Safe Online | Free online security advice
Victim Support help anyone who has been the victim of a crime. They can support you coping with the after-effects of crime and help with reporting to the police.
Reporting for students, staff members, tutors and visitors
We encourage students, staff, tutors and visitors to contact somebody at the School in the first instance to help support you with any concerns you have.
Some individuals may prefer to use the School’s Support & Report tool. Students, staff, tutors and visitors can report an incident, both named and anonymous, via the School’s Support & Report system.
To the police. You can report a crime by calling the non-emergency number, 101 or online.
Make a formal complaint using the School’s Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy (for students) or to the HR department using the Grievance policy (for staff)
