Thanks to technology and the internet, we’re more connected than ever before. However, for millions of people—especially young adults on social media—this digital age has also brought harassment, stalking, doxing, and other forms of cyberbullying.
A 2018 survey revealed that 58% of young people have experienced online bullying. This number could rise if we don’t take action to prevent it. Here’s what you need to know about cyberbullying, and how we can combat it.
Signs of Cyberbullying
Many kids and teens who experience cyberbullying hesitate to tell teachers, parents, or trusted adults. They often feel ashamed or fear losing access to their devices.
Signs of Cyberbullying to Watch For:
- Emotional distress during or after using the Internet or phone
- Being secretive or protective of their digital life
- Spending more time than usual in their room
- Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities
- Avoiding school or group gatherings
- Slipping grades and acting out in anger at home
- Changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or appetite
- Suddenly wanting to stop using the computer or device
- Nervousness or jumpiness when receiving messages, texts, or emails
- Avoiding discussions about their online activities
How to Prevent and Stop Cyberbullying?
1 Notify the School
Inform the principal, school nurse, counselor, or teacher about the situation. Schools, districts, and after-school clubs often have specific rules for handling cyberbullying, which can vary by location. Before reporting the issue, discuss it with your child to create a plan that both of you are comfortable with.
2 Hide Geolocation
If a child is being bullied, then when publishing stories on Instagram, their location will be revealed. This can cause additional complications. But you can update location Instagram. That is, you can set another Instagram location, any location. VeePN has a whole instruction about this.
3 Be Available
It’s crucial that your child feels safe coming to you if they encounter cyberbullying. Here are some tips to ensure they know you’re there to help:
- Be Approachable: Assure your child that they can always talk to you, even if they’ve made a mistake. Promise them that you won’t overreact.
- Stay Calm: If your child shares something concerning, remain calm. Help them remove any inappropriate posts, images, or videos they’ve shared, and discuss what is appropriate to post in the future.
- Open Communication: Encourage your child to talk to you if they see someone else being cyberbullied.
- Offer Support: Make it clear that if they become a target of bullying, your main goal is to keep them safe. Reassure them that you won’t make the situation worse by overreacting or taking away their devices.
4 Limit Access to Technology
Many bullied kids find it hard to stop checking websites or phones for new messages, even though it can be hurtful. To help, keep the computer in a common area at home and set limits on cellphone and gaming use. You can disable text messaging during certain hours, and use parental control options on websites, apps, and smartphones to monitor your child’s messages and online activity.
5 Keep Everything
Save all posts, messages, and communications from the cyberbully by taking screenshots or photos on your smartphone. Record the time, date, and any other relevant information that could be useful in court. Share everything with the school administration and involve the police if necessary. Remember, cyberbullying can often escalate from annoyance to criminal harassment.
6 Keep Data Secure
Cyberbullies sometimes create fake Facebook profiles to impersonate and abuse their victims. To protect yourself and your teen, be cautious about what you post online. Use VeePN iOS app to protect your online identity and your data. Limit personal photos and information, create secure passwords, and change them regularly.
Cyberbullies can also hack or “hijack” profiles to post offensive comments. Ensure your teen sets their social media profiles to “private” and ignores messages from strangers. Modern internet security solutions offer password management and other cybersecurity features to keep your children’s accounts and online identities safe.
7 Explore the Situation More
As parents, it’s vital to stay informed about your children’s internet and smartphone activities. Look into cybersecurity tools designed to keep kids safe online and implement stronger measures to protect them.
A common myth is that boys are usually the bullies and girls are more often the victims. However, research shows that girls are just as likely as boys to be both victims and aggressors. Boys tend to face more cyberbullying on gaming consoles, while girls experience it more on social media.
Conclusion
Cyberbullying is a serious issue that can have lasting negative effects on both victims and perpetrators. By educating ourselves and our children about what cyberbullying is and how to recognize it, we can become more effective in preventing and stopping it.
For more information and resources on how to combat cyberbullying, visit the Department of Health and Human Services’ website at stopbullying.gov.