Cyberbullying Prevention: A Parent's Guide

There has been a notable increase in cyberbullying as technology offers more methods to exchange information, photographs, and videos instantly. When electronic equipment or technology is used for teasing, harassing, or threatening conduct, it is cyberbullying.

Traditional types of bullying and cyberbullying differ in several ways, yet cyberbullying has serious consequences for many people. In contrast to a direct point-of-contact with a conventional bully, social media networks, emails, videos, and photographs may create an environment in which a victim is tormented 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

According to studies, people who are subjected to cyberbullying are also subjected to face-to-face or contact bullying. Cyberbullying has negative consequences for victims, including despair, a lack of interest in education, and personality changes.

As children require a secure environment to develop, it is critical that cyberbullying is identified, addressed, and rectified as soon as possible. Here is a detailed guide for parents to explore more about cyberbullying and ways you can curb it.

Facts and Figures about Cyberbullying

According to the National Centre for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 6 per cent of students in grades 6 through 12 experienced cyberbullying in 2008-2009. 

• According to the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance Survey, cyberbullying affected 16 % of all high school students in 2011. 

• According to Do Something.org, 70% of students have experienced internet bullying. Unfortunately, according to Do Something, just one out of every ten victims will report the cyberbullying to an adult. 

• Because of the frequency of cyberbullying, it is advised that children and teenagers use a family computer rather than using their own laptops.

Mediums for Cyberbullying

• Cyberbullying can occur on any electronic device, including computers, cell phones, and tablets. 

• Cyberbullying may be perpetrated using any device with an Internet connection and the ability to access social media networks, email, and instant messaging applications. 

• Cyberbullies can use a variety of methods to transmit and exchange messages, pictures, and videos. 

• Cyberbullying is common on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. Users frequently create fictitious or anonymous identities before spreading stories, pictures, or videos that defame the victim. 

• The anonymous individual may friend or follows the victim at times, but they may also use the account to distribute fake information among the victim's friends or classmates at other times.

Steps to recognizing and responding to cyberbullying:

Parents should keep an eye on their kids or teens' online activities and frequently search for cyberbullying symptoms. Keep an eye out for indicators that your child is a victim as well as a victimizer. Keep in mind that your kid or teen may not tell you if they have been the victim of cyberbullying. 

• Look for any abrupt, significant changes in social media or messaging usage; an unexpected spike or reduction might suggest cyberbullying behaviour. 

• Keep an eye on how your child or adolescent acts after using the internet; a child or teen who has been cyberbullied may experience a mood shift after accessing social networking sites. Your kid or teen may be a victim of cyberbullying if they suddenly lose interest in their social media accounts and ask to delete them.

• Children who spend extraordinary amounts of time on social media networks and then turn off the device when a parent or adult passes by are signs that your child or adolescent may be a cyberbully. 

• Cyberbullies like harassing others online, and you may hear their chuckles when they post messages. They may use the computer at all hours of the night and refuse to answer inquiries about their computer usage. 

• To disguise their identities, cyberbullies frequently create fake accounts. Your child or teen may have numerous social networking accounts if he or she is a cyberbully.

Techniques for victims to cope with Cyberbullying:

Children who are cyberbullied must understand how to respond and cope. Victims of cyberbullying must not react or reply. Children may be inclined to fight back or retaliate, but this will not improve the issue and only make matters worse. Evidence of cyberbullying should be documented. 

Cyberbullying may be tackled in two ways by parents and teachers. The first is prevention, and the second is the response. 

• From emails and text conversations to screenshots on Facebook and Twitter, all cyberbullying evidence must be documented and maintained. Never be afraid to get in touch with the authorities. 

• Cyberbullying is a significant issue, and while not all states have legislation in place to address it, rules and regulations are always evolving. 

• Cyberstalking, stalking, and harassment laws are frequently used to address the activities of a cyberbully. 

• If necessary, make contact with school officials, website administrators, and local authorities.

• Educating youngsters on how to avoid cyberbullying can help them become more conscious of their online safety.

• When it comes to accessing the internet, children must understand how to act properly and safely. They must protect their personal information and be cautious while receiving a friend request. 

• Friendship requests should only be accepted by people they know and trust.

Conclusion:

If a kid is being bullied online, parents and teachers should assist the child and document any evidence. Parents face the risk of either failing to recognise cyberbullying or overreacting to it. Some parents, for example, may believe that cyberbullying isn't as dangerous as it is. 

Other issues emerge when parents respond to the bullying and punish the child or teen. Cyberbullying should be reported to the child's teachers and guidance counsellor by parents. Teachers should also be on the alert for any bullying that occurs in the classroom. Cyberbullying is a severe crime with serious consequences for victims, and with these techniques, it can be easily addressed.

About Author:

Archer Harrison is a contributing writer to LiveWebTutors. He is a podcaster, style coach and has been a blogger and a professional blogger writing about educational skills, personal development, and motivation since 2010. He operates a team of experts and qualified professionals who will provide high-quality computer science assignment help for Canada students.