Protecting Your Child From Cyberbullying

I’ve always said that technology is like fire – a powerful tool that really we can’t live without, but one that must be understood, controlled and channeled in a way that adds value to our lives.  And we also have a parental and social responsibility to protect those who don’t know enough to protect themselves, like our children.  We would all love to eliminate bullying but that’s not likely to happen in the near future.  It exists everywhere, offline and online.

Online bullying, or cyberbullying, is no different from the offline bullying that occurs in the classroom, school hallways, sporting events and in the neighborhoods where our children live except that cyberbullying is done using technology.   Cyberbullying is defined by Netzsmartz Kids as:

Cyberbullying - sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices.

(NetSmartz Kids is a national organization dedicated to teaching parents/caregivers, educators, government officials, law enforcement, and youth organizations that want to learn more about the Internet and the possible dangers to children online.)

Like offline bullying, parents can educate themselves to help protect their children against cyberbullying.    What follows are tips for preventing cyberbullying from the Cleveland Clinic.

Parents can take a proactive, preventative approach to cyberbullying by dong the following:

• Learn! Go on a fact-finding mission. Learn what your kids are doing online, which sites they visit and what they post on sites like Facebook or MySpace. Monitor cell phone usage, especially text messaging.  Because much of Facebook is public information anyway, many parents make an agreement with their kids that if they are going to use it, the parent is given the log-in password so that they can review what is happening at any time.


• Sharing isn’t always a good idea. Teach your kids not to share anything that they wouldn’t want the entire world — including their parents, grandparents and teachers — to see.


• Discuss the ethics of Internet use. Encourage kids to develop a code of ethics for Internet use. Start a discussion of “right” versus “wrong” uses of technology. Then clearly set your rules and expectations for cell phone and Internet use.


• Watch for signs of cyberbullying. Kids who are cyberbullied are often reluctant to go online and find excuses to avoid school. If you think your child is a target, take immediate action. If the bully is a classmate, tell school officials. Report online harassment and physical threats to local police. If bullying involves mobile phones, report it to your phone service provider. Tell your Internet Service Provider (ISP) about email or social networking threats. On Facebook, kids can click “report” if they are uncomfortable about what they’re reading.

I think this is a good list and I would add only this, "Lead by example!"   If your kids are on the Internet then they are old enough to learn from your own behavior.  Be aware of how you use the Internet and other technology.  What might be acceptable or appropriate for adult communication may be very inappropriate for your 12 year old.

Regardless of how much you choose to use technology, if you are a parent or a caregiver you do a have responsibility to learn enough to ensure children can be protected.

Here are some other helpful inks:

• Facebook, Twitter and Online Bullying


• National Mental Health Information Center


• How to Stop Bullying on Facebook