Support your child
The biggest, most important part of support your child will need in a cyber-bullying issue or to prevent a cyber-bullying issue and in any other situation, is to be comfortable talking about what is going on and discussing their feelings with you. Your child needs to feel that they can come and talk to you without negative responses. If your child are afraid of being banned from the internet, television or from hanging out with his/her friends they will not come confide you.
When they come to you, listen to them completely with undivided attention. They then will feel more comfortable if you are listening and will talk more. When they finish, give them advice, suggestions, and comfort them as much as possible. Definitely do NOT punish them (at least at first).
When they come to you, listen to them completely with undivided attention. They then will feel more comfortable if you are listening and will talk more. When they finish, give them advice, suggestions, and comfort them as much as possible. Definitely do NOT punish them (at least at first).
Be firm
Set rules such how long your child can be online, and what kinds of sites they can and can't use. Also, if you need to you can always put programs on to the computer that will block certain websites and language, to child proof the computer.
Know your child
Knowing your child is very important. Kids who are already depressed and unhappy are prime targets for cyber bullying. It is very tempting to assume that your child my just be going through a "bad mood" but it is always safer and better off to seek professional help.
Educate
Teach your child what to do if they are ever in the case where they feel threatened or bullied. They should always ignore the person who is threatening them and tell and adult right away. They should also never engage with the bully, because all that is going to do is make the problem bigger and worse.
If you as an adult ever feel threatened by someone immediately call the police to be safe. You can also use built-in extras on on certain websites, such as blocking or reporting someone.
If you as an adult ever feel threatened by someone immediately call the police to be safe. You can also use built-in extras on on certain websites, such as blocking or reporting someone.
9 Possible Signs and Symptoms of cyber bullying to look for in your child.
Research also says that chances are that your child will not tell you he is harassed online. As our children get older studies also show the likelihood declines even more. One big reason: our kids say we did not listen or believe them when they did come and tell us. So get educated. Tune into your children closer. Look for these possible signs of cyber bullying though there are others. And if they are not due to cyberbullying they clearly warrant looking into. Something is amiss with your child!
- Hesitant to be online; nervous when an Instant Message, text message or Email appears
- Visibly upset after using the computer or cell phone or suddenly avoids it
- Hides or clears the computer screen or closes cellphone when you enter
- Spends unusually and longer hours online in a more tense pensive tone
- Withdraws from friends, falls behind in schoolwork's or wants to avoid school
- Suddenly sullen, evasive withdrawn, marked change in personality or behavior
- Trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, excessively moody or crying, seems depressed
- Suspicious phone calls, e-mails and packages arrives at your home
- Possible drop in academic performance