We have all heard about the unfortunate trend of cyberbullying. We have listened to the news stories, we have read the articles and we know it is out there. However, we don't want to think that it is in our own homes. We so want to believe that cyberbullying is something that involves other people's children, and not our own. It is unimaginable that our child could be one of those bullies or worse yet, be the one getting bullied. But it happens, and it could be happening to your child.
The first step is to recognize that there might be a bullying situation taking place. The signs that a child is being bullied online are pretty much the same as those that you would notice if he or she was being bullied offline. If your child falls into some of the behavior patterns below, consider the possibility that they are involved in a cyberbullying situation.
If you do discover that your child has been or still is a victim of cyberbullying, what can you do? The NetSmartz Workshop offers us these very helpful hints on how to help your child if they are being harassed online by a bully.The first step is to recognize that there might be a bullying situation taking place. The signs that a child is being bullied online are pretty much the same as those that you would notice if he or she was being bullied offline. If your child falls into some of the behavior patterns below, consider the possibility that they are involved in a cyberbullying situation.
* having trouble sleeping
* feeling depressed
* mood swings
* feeling unwell
* becoming anti-social and losing friends
* falling behind in homework
* spending a lot of time online
* Make sure your child does not respond to rude and harassing e-mails, messages, and postings. Keep a record of them in case you need proof. Call law enforcement and inform your Internet Service Provider (ISP) if necessary.
* Use web sites that translate the lingo your child is sending or receiving so that you can understand the words that are being used in e-mails and chat rooms. See our entry on Intenet Lingo for some guidance.
* If your child continues to receive harassing e-mails, have your child delete his/her current e-mail account and open a new one. This new e-mail address should only be given to a few trusted people.
* If your child is receiving harassing messages through instant messaging, help your child make use of the "block" or "ban" feature. This feature can be used to block certain individuals from being able to reach your child over instant messaging.
* If you have found that a cyberbully has set up a web site that is defaming or mocking your child, contact your ISP and, if necessary, also inform law enforcement to try to get that web site removed.
* Get your child's school involved. Learn what the school's policy on cyberbullying is, and urge the administrators to take a stance against all forms of bullying.
* Use web sites that translate the lingo your child is sending or receiving so that you can understand the words that are being used in e-mails and chat rooms. See our entry on Intenet Lingo for some guidance.
* If your child continues to receive harassing e-mails, have your child delete his/her current e-mail account and open a new one. This new e-mail address should only be given to a few trusted people.
* If your child is receiving harassing messages through instant messaging, help your child make use of the "block" or "ban" feature. This feature can be used to block certain individuals from being able to reach your child over instant messaging.
* If you have found that a cyberbully has set up a web site that is defaming or mocking your child, contact your ISP and, if necessary, also inform law enforcement to try to get that web site removed.
* Get your child's school involved. Learn what the school's policy on cyberbullying is, and urge the administrators to take a stance against all forms of bullying.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Archana 11-14-2008 @ 2:39AM
Thanks Diana Pentecost for a informative article.
Regarding cyber bullying sign which you have mentioned I think firstly would be avoiding family and telling lie to them ,then studies and other signs which you have mentioned.This is just an idea what I felt in my research about cyber bullying.You can refer more articles on www.8falcons.com website along with videos.
Archana Shekar
keeping children safe online and offline -www.8falcons.com
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Luke 11-24-2008 @ 1:37PM
Thanks for the tips! So good for parents to see this information. Cyberbullying is like the new playground for kids: http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/2008/04/07/cyberbullying-the-new-playground/
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shannonGB 1-06-2009 @ 10:23AM
Excellent article. Parents need to be aware of this, especially because cyberbullying is not so blatant or obvious, it can go on for quite sometime without being immediately noticed.
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http://instantamber.com
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