By Laura Pearson, Edutude.net
Cyberbullying occurs when children or teens use online communication to abuse or degrade a peer. “Unlike bullying, cyberbullying doesn’t require physical strength or a face-to-face meeting. Anyone with an Internet connection and a device can be a cyberbully,” says Norton. It can happen 24/7, and the bully can easily remain anonymous. Being the new kid at school can make a child an easy target for bullies, and being a target of cyberbullying can lead the victim to feel depressed, withdrawn, and, in some cases, suicidal. If your child is being cyberbullied, it’s extremely important to know the steps to take.
Talking with Your Child
Once you learn that your child is a victim of cyberbullying, the safety and well-being of your child is the top priority, so ensure he or she is not only physically safe, but that he or she feels safe. Communicate unconditional support for your child. Never blame your child, minimize the situation, or make excuses for the attacker. Make your child aware that you will do everything you can to stop the cyberbully.
Sit down to talk with your child and listen, and try to remain as calm as possible. Be engaged in the conversation and ask questions to get as much detail as possible without making your child feel overwhelmed. Never respond to a bully, but definitely collect the evidence. Print or take screenshots of conversations, messages, pictures, and any other proof that your child is being cyberbullied.
You should also take measures to prevent your child from becoming a victim of cyberbullying again. For example, set up privacy controls within each platform of social media to block the bully from contacting your child. Also, encourage your child to always report any new or recurring issues with any bullies, even seemingly small issues.
Contacting and Involving Others
If the bully attends the same school as your child, contact the school. “Your child has the right to feel safe at school, and educators are responsible to ensure this through an investigation and appropriate response,” says the Cyberbullying Research Center. You should also contact the content providers where the bullying occurred (websites, apps, Internet or cell companies), even if the bully isn’t identifiable. Cyberbullying violates the Terms of Service of all legitimate service providers. Never contact the parents of the bully.
If physical threats were made, contact the police. If your local department isn’t helpful, contact county or state law enforcement officials, who often have more resources and expertise in technology-related offenses. The U.S. Department of Education takes discrimination cases very seriously if children are limited in their ability to learn and thrive at school, so contact the Office of Civil Rights if the bullying is based on race, sex, or disability.
Stress-Free Home Environment
While all children need a stress-free home environment, those dealing with the emotional challenges of moving and a cyberbully especially need it. Help your child create a happy place in the home. Whether it’s a special chair or a nook in his or her room, your child needs a place to go where other family members will know not to disturb him or her in this zone.
Keeping the house clear of clutter can also minimize stress levels. Find a way to neatly organize items that are typically tossed on a table or countertop. Whether it’s a basket or a few hooks, create a place where your child can organize items he or she uses each day, such as sunglasses, keys, scarves, wallets, and similar items.
Place houseplants or flowers throughout your home. Studies have shown that the presence of plants improves the recovery of hospital patients and reduces blood pressure of office workers. Also, tending to plants has been shown to reduce stress. Remove televisions and computers out of the bedroom entirely, which can result in better sleep.
If you’ve recently moved across the country and you’ve found yourself in the dilemma of dealing with a cyberbully, knowing how to handle it can resolve the issue quicker and make your child feel more at ease. Remember to always be calm and supportive, and be sure to contact the appropriate authorities. While everything is being sorted out, it’s even more crucial that you maintain a stress-free home environment for your child. No matter the outcome, take steps to prevent your child from becoming a victim of future cyberbully attacks.
Talking with Your Child
Once you learn that your child is a victim of cyberbullying, the safety and well-being of your child is the top priority, so ensure he or she is not only physically safe, but that he or she feels safe. Communicate unconditional support for your child. Never blame your child, minimize the situation, or make excuses for the attacker. Make your child aware that you will do everything you can to stop the cyberbully.
Sit down to talk with your child and listen, and try to remain as calm as possible. Be engaged in the conversation and ask questions to get as much detail as possible without making your child feel overwhelmed. Never respond to a bully, but definitely collect the evidence. Print or take screenshots of conversations, messages, pictures, and any other proof that your child is being cyberbullied.
You should also take measures to prevent your child from becoming a victim of cyberbullying again. For example, set up privacy controls within each platform of social media to block the bully from contacting your child. Also, encourage your child to always report any new or recurring issues with any bullies, even seemingly small issues.
Contacting and Involving Others
If the bully attends the same school as your child, contact the school. “Your child has the right to feel safe at school, and educators are responsible to ensure this through an investigation and appropriate response,” says the Cyberbullying Research Center. You should also contact the content providers where the bullying occurred (websites, apps, Internet or cell companies), even if the bully isn’t identifiable. Cyberbullying violates the Terms of Service of all legitimate service providers. Never contact the parents of the bully.
If physical threats were made, contact the police. If your local department isn’t helpful, contact county or state law enforcement officials, who often have more resources and expertise in technology-related offenses. The U.S. Department of Education takes discrimination cases very seriously if children are limited in their ability to learn and thrive at school, so contact the Office of Civil Rights if the bullying is based on race, sex, or disability.
Stress-Free Home Environment
While all children need a stress-free home environment, those dealing with the emotional challenges of moving and a cyberbully especially need it. Help your child create a happy place in the home. Whether it’s a special chair or a nook in his or her room, your child needs a place to go where other family members will know not to disturb him or her in this zone.
Keeping the house clear of clutter can also minimize stress levels. Find a way to neatly organize items that are typically tossed on a table or countertop. Whether it’s a basket or a few hooks, create a place where your child can organize items he or she uses each day, such as sunglasses, keys, scarves, wallets, and similar items.
Place houseplants or flowers throughout your home. Studies have shown that the presence of plants improves the recovery of hospital patients and reduces blood pressure of office workers. Also, tending to plants has been shown to reduce stress. Remove televisions and computers out of the bedroom entirely, which can result in better sleep.
If you’ve recently moved across the country and you’ve found yourself in the dilemma of dealing with a cyberbully, knowing how to handle it can resolve the issue quicker and make your child feel more at ease. Remember to always be calm and supportive, and be sure to contact the appropriate authorities. While everything is being sorted out, it’s even more crucial that you maintain a stress-free home environment for your child. No matter the outcome, take steps to prevent your child from becoming a victim of future cyberbully attacks.
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