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 | |  | | | What Are Cyber-Bullies?
Also commonly known as griefers, cyber-bullies are devoted to making life difficult for recreational online gamers — which may include your kids. Though cyber-bullies are most common in the world of online gaming, cyber-bullying can also occur on social networks, blogs and chat rooms.
How do cyber-bullies operate? In online multiplayer games, their tactics are varied:
- Taunting other players — especially beginners
- Sabotaging teammates or other players
- Blocking normal game play
- Using inappropriate language or cheating
- Forming gangs with other griefers
- Zoning-in on players that react negatively to their harassment
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While cyber-bullies make up a small fraction of online players, chances are that any casual gamer has encountered one or more. There is a silver lining, however. Because cyber-bullies have a negative impact on game subscriptions, many game companies have begun policing these negative elements. That means there is often a clear channel for reporting and resisting cyber-bullies.
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 | | | Dealing with Cyber-Bullies
An effective strategy for dealing with cyber-bullies is to talk to your kids about them and work out plans for times when cyber-bullies are present. Here are a few recommended tactics:
- Ignore them. If this isn't possible while playing, take a break from the game or play a different game.
- Play on sites or servers with strict rules — such as codes of conduct — and live game administrators that can ban cyber-bullies. Play games with settings that limit cyber-bully tactics. Many games enforce team play by ensuring that teammates may not harm each other.
- Avoid using provocative names, or providing personal information, that may supply griefers with fuel for their tactics.
- Ensure that your kids don't "fight fire with fire," or worse, perpetrate similar acts on other players out of anger. Your kid may be labeled a griefer and ejected from the game.
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Dealing With Cyber-Bullies in Other Mediums
Cyber-bully behaviors crop up online in non-game environments. The methods for dealing with cyber-bullies in these areas are similar. Many online communities have administrators that can be contacted in the case of online bullying, vandalism or harassment. Social networks and blogs routinely have resources that can be used to block or flag cyber-bullies.
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