Kids are vulnerable online. We’ve seen it in online marketing designed to sell kids products that may be bad for them, and in potential predators creating fake social media accounts to entice children to accept their friend requests. But one of the most toxic issues online is cyberbullying, which half of adolescents and teens will experience in their lifetime. Cyberbullying has been linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts or actions in youth.
As social media channels and mobile devices become increasingly ingrained in our children’s lives, it becomes easier and easier for cyberbullying to take place. Home is no longer a refuge from school bullies, who can now act out through text, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email and other digital networking hubs. OnlineBullying.Sucks, and it is becoming harder to just “log off” to avoid it.
Schools should be vigilant in internet safety and cyberbullying education, but they can’t possibly keep track of all students’ internet behavior at all times. Parents know their kids best, and are more likely to recognize when something is wrong.
Here at .SUCKS we have a no tolerance policy for cyberbullying. To help make the internet a safer—and kinder—place, we created this guide for parents to help educate their children about safe internet practices.
What Can Parents Do About Cyberbullying?
There are several things parents can do to be proactive about cyberbullying.
1. Communicate openly and often. The first step is to create an open dialogue before there is ever an issue. Encourage your kids to come to you if there is a problem and stress that they will not be in trouble or penalized (e.g. have their device taken away) if they do. Inform them of the best ways to deal with cyberbullying (don’t respond, save offending messages as proof) and outline the consequences of engaging in cyberbullying (like account banning or the possibility of law enforcement getting involved).
2. Secure their accounts. Make sure your children know never to allow strangers to have access to their information or accounts. Stress that they should keep personal details to a minimum and should never share their passwords. Warn them about sending photos, even if they think they are going to a trusted friend.
3. Save proof of cyberbullying. If your child comes to you with an instance of cyberbullying, be sure to gather proof. Screen capture and/or print out instances of cyberbullying. Text messages, social media messages and comments, emails and so on should be collected, as well as the phone number, email address and account name(s) of the aggressor(s). These will be vital forms of proof should the situation escalate, and can be used to talk to other parents, school administrators, counselors, social media security teams and even law enforcement.
4. Talk to their school. If your child is being cyberbullied, you can speak with school administrators and counselors to design a plan to stop the abuse in its tracks. You should also talk to teachers about if and how they incorporate digital safety into the curriculum, and what their policies are when faced with instances of online bullying.
5. Limit screen time. Make a plan with your child to limit the amount of time they spend in front of a screen. This will help to minimize exposure to bullying or potential bullying scenarios. You can also keep computers and laptops in public rooms of the house rather than bedrooms to encourage transparency. Ask for your child’s input when it comes to time limits online and other rules, so that they are more likely to abide by them.
6. Start a Bullying.Sucks campaign. If this is an issue that you feel passionately about (and we all should), you can use a .SUCKS domain as a hub for parental resources and awareness. Involving other parents and educators can help ensure your children and their peers are aware of why cyberbullying is damaging and how to best respond to it.
The Takeaway
Cyberbullying is everyone’s problem. The internet is a wonderful tool that can be used for socializing, learning and play, and it is up to all of us to ensure that teens and kids are safe while using it. Parents should talk to their kids before online exposure starts and frequently throughout their journey into digital literacy. Here at .SUCKS, we believe this is the best way to promote an environment that is friendly and inclusive for everyone.
Do you agree that CyberBullying.Sucks? Take action with a .SUCKS domain today and make your voice heard.
Photo Credits: Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock / rawpixel, Shutterstock / Dean Drobot, Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images
