Recognizing Abuse Online & Off
A Guide for Parents
Communication and Trust
Talk early and often about relationships and health boundaries. Whether romantic or platonic, teens are still figuring out what boundaries are appropriate for them.
Discuss romantic and platonic relationships that you see on your favorite TV shows and ask your teen to note what they think are good and bad about them.
Warning Signs
Early warning signs of bullying and abuse are commonly shrugged off.
- Unusual behavior with friends or family, such as canceling regular plans in favor of speending all their free time iwth one person.
- Constant communication with a partner or friend to the point of distress or concern that the other person may be upset if they aren’t available to talk, text, or hang out.
- Excessive flatter or attention from a partner of friend, particularly if the relationship is new.
- Changes in mood that are out fo character, such as extreme anxiety around getting to see their partner/friend.
Creating Reasonable Boundaries
When meeting online friends for the first time, the meeting should be in an open or public place. Explain the importance of choosing locations that aren’t isolated.
Explain the benefits of setting boundaries and allow teens to participate in setting them. This makes it much more likely that they’ll follow through.
Listen when they bring up concerns and work together to find a compromise.
This was originally created from a graphic resource that Uplift shared at conventions from 2016 to 2020. Download the graphic below.
