To guard children against cyberbullying and the harm it does to our kids, we need knowledge and tools. All parents, teachers, and community members need to learn how to protect children from cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying entails using electronic means to mistreat or intimidate others; its effects on the mental health of those who fall victim cannot be underestimated as well as their emotional and physical existences.
My aim in writing this post is that readers should gain a comprehensive understanding of cyberbullying: what it involves; how it affects children; and most importantly what parents can do to protect children from cyberbullying.
What Is Cyberbullying?
The term “cyberbullying” refers to the use of digital communication tools, like mobile phones and internet, to harass, threaten or frighten someone. Social media sites, instant messaging apps online forums, and other web-based platforms are common places where cyberbullying is done.
This may include acts such as sending abusive messages; spreading false rumors about somebody online; pretending to be another person to destroy their reputation; or sharing humiliating content without consent amongst others.
In 2019, The Cyberbullying Research Center’s study showed that of a population of 5,000 American students from grades 6 through 12 they surveyed, about 36.5% said they had experienced cyberbullying at least once.
Also, in that same survey, approximately 14.8% owned up to bullying others through electronic means before.
Similarly in another research by Pew Research Center in 2018 displayed that nearly 59% of American teens have ever faced any type of online harassment with offensive name-calling being the most common at 42%.
Anxiety and depression are common mental health problems among victims of cyberbullying which often leads them into suicidal thoughts. This should motivate us as parents to find out how we can prevent our children from becoming victims of cyberbullying.
Hence making it one major concern for many parents today especially those whose kids tend to spend much time on social media platforms thus easily subjected to such attacks. Making it that much more for us to be vigilant in order to protect children from cyberbullying.
Read More: 5 Damaging Impact of Social Media on Children
How To Protect Children From Cyberbullying?
In order to protect children from cyberbullying, there are preventive measures and communication as well as how to react in case it happens.
Here are some of the ways to protect children from cyberbullying:
1. Learn and Sensitize
Take some time to know about cyberbullying; what it is, how it occurs and the impacts that arise from it.
Know how you can tell if your child is being bullied on the internet or not; make them aware that they are not responsible for such situations but assistance may be sought.
2. Encourage Open Communication
Open communication with your little one is crucial if you want to protect children from cyberbullying. Develop a trusting relationship with your kids so that they can feel comfortable sharing anything related to their online activities with you.
There should be an open discussion concerning every aspect of their online life including social media use, gaming or even messaging applications. Promise them support whenever they face challenges while browsing the internet.
3. Specify Boundaries
Create guidelines indicating what children should do or avoid when using internet services at home.
This includes putting boundaries such as restricting screen time within hours, supervising who they talk to on the web among other methods; besides this, ensuring both device and social media accounts used by them have activated privacy settings so far.
They should understand that these restrictions have been put for their own safety.
4. Teach safe conduct over the Internet
Make sure young ones also learn about good citizenship within digital space; just like one would like others treat him/her online. Help kids grasp this idea by promoting critical thinking around shared content while encouraging acts of kindness towards each other.
5. Use Parental Controls:
Use software or tools with parental controls in order to monitor what your kids do online closely.
Various apps provide parental controls that will help you to protect children from cyberbullying.
For instance, such means may be used in censoring indecent materials, blocking certain sites or apps and monitoring how long they spend on devices. These values must be checked frequently in order to ensure continuous effectiveness of this tool.
Read More: Why Is Parent Engagement In Schools Important? 10 Hacks For Busy Parents
6. Promote Positive Friendships:
This will emphasize on the importance of positive relationships for support in both online and offline situations.
Instruct children to choose their friends wisely, refraining from those who push them towards their best such as respectful children should avoid bullying tending and negativity.
7. Make Their Responses Safe:
Educate your kids about safe ways to respond when they experience cyberbullying. They should know when to block or unfriend bullying people, save evidence of this mistreatment, and report to trusted adults or authorities.
Also tell them that if they are in need, they can always approach family members, friends or school counselors.
8. Foster Resilience and Self-Esteem:
Build resilience and self-esteem in children by recognizing their accomplishments as well as strengths
Instead let them focus on what brings happiness into life so that they may feel a sense of worthiness and belief capable of protecting personal growth from negative cyberbullying impacts.
9. Follow Suit:
As parents we need to lead by example; show them how to be nice and responsible while using the internet.
Show how you navigate through the digital world with integrity and kindness, handle conflict digitally with regard for other people’s feelings. After all actions speak louder than words since even a single activity done by you can mold their perception concerning internet.
10. Find Help and Resources:
Do not wait until it is too late; seek early intervention measures before your child becomes a victim of cyberbullying. Consult your child’s school or nearby community centers or mental health professionals for advice on this matter;
Ensure more local knowledge on cyberbullying, promote its education in communities then work together on prevention mechanisms as well as interventions where necessary.
In this way, kids can be safe while exploring different aspects of life through technology without any fear or anxiety since one is proactive enough to see through these conditions online.
Read More: How To Encourage Kids To Talk About Emotions: Building Emotional Competence in Children
Key Takeaways
To protect children from cyberbullying involves several clear steps. Parents need to understand what cyberbullying is and how it affects kids. Open communication with children about their online activities is essential.
Setting rules for internet use, teaching kids how to behave safely online, and using parental control tools can help. Encouraging positive friendships and building children’s confidence is also important.
If cyberbullying happens, children should know how to respond safely and seek help from trusted adults. By leading by example and working with schools and community resources, parents can help keep their children safe online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is using digital tools like phones and social media to harass or threaten someone.
2. How can I tell if my child is being cyberbullied?
Look for signs like anxiety, depression, or reluctance to use their devices.
3. How should I start a conversation about cyberbullying with my child?
Encourage open, non-judgmental discussions about their online experiences and activities.
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