Bullys are moving beyond classrooms, slam books and whisper campaigns to websites, chatrooms, groups and forums, text messaging, instant messaging and emails. While in some cases its no worse than old-fashioned bullying, cyberbullying has a few idiosyncraries. Websites and screen names give bullys a mask of anonynity if they wish it, making them difficult to trace. Bullys can make themselves completely anonymous with no fear of getting caught, and the receive the high of bullying others. This is just as bad as being bullied in school or at home etc.

Someone intent on bullying will simply create another screen name or go use a public computer with their free new web based screen name when they are blocked or banned from a forum and website.

Its unfortunate, and inevitable, that if you spend any amount of time on the internet, you eventually have an encounter with someone who is rude, troublesome, or even downright insane.

Whenever you have an encounter with anyone online, it is completely different from a real-life encounter. Online, you cant pick up verbal or physical cues that you normally would, not to mention that the internet is a huge place and to use the old saying it takes all kinds.

Some problems you will encounter with people online are easier solved than others, and while it is hard to understand, there are people online whose sole purpose is to start problems with others and to cause others pain and aggrevation. ( These people are generally termed trolls in online communities)

Additionally, there are sets of online mannerism, etiquette, and codes of conduct that are sometimes unspoken and unwritten that must be aknowledged in any online community. Sometimes these people can become very personal, or even downright cruel or threatening. Any reaction to these bullys actions encourages them to continue. They have, much like a three-year old might do, gotten a reaction out of you and will now continue their actions to get more reaction.

When you have a bad encounter with someone on the web, and you have identified that it may not be a miscommunication on either part, and if the person seems to be just communicating to you to harass, insult, or you get the feeling that they are being hurtful on purpose, then that person probably falls into the one of the following categories:

* People who are idiots,

*People who are naturally mean (and would be in real life)

* And People who are trying to purposefully get a rise out of you for their own amu t.

YOU CAN RECOGNISE THESE TYPES OF PEOPLE IF THEY USE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TACTICS:

1) Not making any logical sense in their communication.

2) Their communication has little, if any point to it.

3) Their communication is filled with curse words, insults, and/or threatening language.

4) The communication may even be worded with correct grammar and a sense that they are stating a perfectly acceptable and even righteous statement, when the intent of the thread or email or forum post is to hurt or anger you.

5) MASKED THREATS, or hidden and subtle language that contains verbal DAGGERS to get to you.

6) Continued communication to you, especially if you have chosen to ignore their actions.

7) The whole point of the communication is to insult you, demean or demoralize you, or to make you angry or fearful. Usually, their entire purpose in this is to cause you to become emotional, or to keep the fires going by encouraging further response.

And as the messages and or emails can sometimes be very personal, rude, and hurtful, remember that the other person does not know you, does not care about your feelings, and is simply a rude person. While their communications may seem very personal, (they love to include personal attacks), they are only going by what they know of you online, and are using every tactic they can get you to respond emotionally. (to b continued...)

The most dangerous people and the most seriously disturbed on the internet, are sometimes true psychopaths, just as in real life. Thesepeople may send u direct threats, to your own person, your privacy, your family, your business or other direct threats. These people cannot be reasoned with and while they may or may not carry out threats, its important that you deal with these people quickly and thoroughly.

First thing to do is to stay calm. SAVE all copies of any messages and emails that are sent by that person. If the situation continues you may need all the proof you can get. DO NOT respond at all. Do not aknowledge their emails or correspond with them in any way. Get to your local police office and file a report on the person threatening you. Take along copies of the threatening communication to the police station, along with the information you have on the person (name, email adress, IP adress, location if u know it, and anything else that might help the police).

Also, if the person has directly threatened you, make sure u step up your personal security. Look out for suspicious vehicles or people around your neighbourhood, and let someone else close to you know that you've been threatened.

Even if the person making the threats isnt serious, it is impossible to tell that over the internet, and you should take every precaution to make sure that no harm comes to you and your family.

You may also report these people to the FBI, and the following online resource Wired Safety.org - you should immediately report these people to their ISP or at the very least, their internet or operator provider and email provider. Keep as much information about yourself as private as you can. The more information someone has about you, the easier it is to bully you.

visit netbullies.com, go to linkspage to access it directly.