For Parents: How To Teach Your Kids to Act on Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying presents a unique challenge to both victims and their parents. It is a relatively new concept and the impersonal nature of the internet increases anonymity, which can make it difficult to identify. With face-to-face bullying, the problem can be directly addressed. However, with cyber bullying’s unique form and delivery, addressing the issue is a bit more complicated.

While different in approach, there are effective methods that you can teach your kids to empower them to let report, document and properly respond if they are being bullied on the internet.

Tell Parents and Trusted Friends

The first step that your kids should take when being cyber bullied is to tell you, their parents, or trusted friends about what is happening. Encouraging this behavior will help them know that they are not in this alone. Telling others not only helps to bolster your kid’s spirits, but provides them with a foundation of support.

Document What is Happening

If you or your kids have identified a pattern of bullying make sure you keep records and document what is happening. If the cyber bullying reaches a certain point or breaches terms of service on a site or app, it can be escalated or taken to the authorities. If the bullying is extreme enough, you have grounds to take it to the police. In order to have proof of the violation, encourage your kids to keep and store the texts, images, and other instances of bullying before deleting them.

Bullies are Mostly Alike

It’s important to know that all bullies often hide behind anonymity or their internet presence to harm others. Their aggression often goes only as far as the keys on their computer or mobile device. A bully may be more scared than your kid so that can help to tone down your kids fear and help them to bring information forward.

Do Not Respond with Abusive Language

Let your children know that engaging with abusive language is only creating a larger problem. They should know the smart or clever comeback might make them feel better at the time but often only serve to escalate the problem. Their abusive comments in retaliation can be used against them so encourage them to tread lightly and keep any comments clean.

Consider Not Responding at All

Though it may seem to be the most difficult course of action, ignoring the cyber bully all together is best. In many instances the bullies give up when they do not receive the response they desire. You may want to encourages your kid to leave the website and stop engaging with that person as soon as the offense occurs. The less time they are faced with cyber bullying, the better.

Keep Your Head Up

For parents, helping your child deal with a cyber bully starts by teaching them that it’s a situation that can be handled. That a bully can only hurt you as much as you let them, so keep up their spirits and take the appropriate action when necessary.

Originally published at blog.trudyapp.com on January 2, 2018.