How To Protect Kids From Cyberbullies
Keeping Teens and Tweens Safe From Online Dangers
Dec 26, 2008
The public became aware of how dangerous and hurtful cyberbullying can be when the suicide of Megan Meier garnered national headlines. Megan, a 13-year-old girl, committed suicide after being repeatedly harassed by online bullies.
Parents wonder how they can protect their children from cyberbullies. Some children may not want to report online bullying to their parents for fear that they may lose computer or phone privileges. In other instances, they may be embarrassed, or feel as if they are tattling.
Parenting in the Online World
Parents warn their children about the dangers in the world around them and teach them moral and ethical behavior. The same lessons need to be taught about the online world. Young people should be reminded that the same morals and ethics apply online and on cell phones.
Guiding youth to make wise decisions will help keep the lines of communication open, should a problem ever arise. Parents can look for signs that a child is being bullied, such as:
- Appearing sad or depressed after being online or on the cell phone.
- Withdrawing from normal activities.
- Declining school grades or behavior.
What Parents Can Do to Protect Children
Parents can take proactive action to monitor and prevent cyberbullying.
- Visit the sites that young people visit. Monitor online activity by knowing what is being said and shown on the sites.
- Look at cell phone texts and pictures to see what is stored in the phone.
- Set up a contract for computer and cell phone use and ethical behavior.
- Block access to suspect websites.
- Encourage kids to tell a trusted adult if bullying occurs.
What Children Can Do to Protect Themselves
Children must be adamant and informed about protecting their safety online.
- Never give out any contact information. This includes cell phone numbers, instant messaging names, email addresses, or street addresses.
- Tell an adult if any online harassment occurs.
- On game sites or social networking sites, insist that the moderators follow up with cyberbullying complaints.
- Stand up against cyberbullying by never participating in it or laughing at hurtful comments.
What to Do If Online Bullying Occurs
- Tell the bully to stop. Be firm and clear.
- If the address of the bully is known, this can be done by certified letter.
- If the cyberbully is someone the child knows, a visit with school officials will help. Many schools are now putting rules about online bullying in their handbooks.
- Report harassment to the local police.
- Report harassment to the Internet Service Provider, (ISP), or the cell phone provider.
- Save any harassing messages and print them out to save as evidence.
- Block messages from the sender.
It is everyone’s right to use electronic media without worrying about being harassed, intimidated, threatened or demeaned. By becoming educated about what cyberbullying is and how to stop it, everyone can be safer online.
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