How to Protect Your Kids from
CYBERBULLYING
O
By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.
ne of parents’ greatest fears is that their kids is wrong.” Research shows that parents who don’t
will become the victims of cyberbullying, monitor their kids’ online behavior are more likely
and for good reason: research shows that to be unaware that their kids are being cyberbullied.
almost half of all middle and high school students are There are many ways to monitor what your kids are
cyberbullied at some point. If that’s the case, what can doing online, including setting up their online accounts
you do to protect your kids? together with them so that you know their usernames
First, monitor your kids’ online behavior on a regular
basis and pay close attention to which sites they’re
on, who they interact with, and the nature of their
interactions. As Sarah Brown, an expert on children’s
and passwords, creating Google Alerts with your
kids’ names, installing monitoring software on their
devices, and requiring them to allow you to “friend” or
“follow” them online.
use of technology, says “Being familiar with their online If you notice any interactions that could be cause for
world is the best way for you to notice if something alarm, speak to your kids right away. Since kids often
F L A G L E R parent M A G A Z I N E | 13