try to hide the fact that they’re wannabe cyberbullies: this will only “Limiting online exposure helps keep
cyberbullied, assure them ahead of exacerbate the problem. Tara Fishler, the bullies at bay.”
time that they can always come to a prominent expert on mediation you with any problem, no matter and conflict resolution, says that how big or small. It’s very important, “responding lets the bully know they say Drs. Sameer Hinduja and Justin affected you. Not posting a response Patchin of the Cyberbullying gives you some control so you Research Center, to “cultivate and are not sucked into their harmful maintain open, candid lines of activities.” Instead, help block any communication with your children, wannabe cyberbullies from reaching so that they’re ready and willing your kids.
to come to you whenever they
experience something unpleasant or
distressing in cyberspace.”
More generally, teach your kids
to think carefully before they
post anything online. They need
to understand the potential
repercussions from anything they
post, including how certain posts
could be used maliciously. A good
rule of thumb is to say and do online
only what you would say and do
As part of your regular conversations face-to-face to someone. Your kids
with your kids, teach them safe should understand that as soon as
online habits. This includes such they post something, it’s out of their
Assure your kids ahead of time that basic online security measures control. Their posts can be forwarded
you won’t ban them from going as never revealing identifying, without their knowledge or consent.
online if they come to you for help. personal information like their home Ruth Carter, a lawyer who specializes
As Dr. Michael Nuccitelli, a well- addresses, phone numbers, and in social media and internet law, says
known child psychologist and expert where they go to school; not sharing “Kids should be taught early and
on cyberbullying, says, consistently their usernames and passwords with often that they have no idea when a
remind your kids that “they’ll others; not leaving online accounts post will take on a life of its own and
not lose their online privileges, accessible and vulnerable on public go places they can’t control.” A more
interactive online gaming time, devices; and never opening messages strict but no less useful approach
mobile devices or social network site and links from people they don’t would be to establish actual “rules”
privileges due to cyberbullying issues already know. for your kids’ online activities,
provided they are open, honest and
forthright.” Try not to overreact to
situations as this will make your kids
think that you’ll overreact if they tell
you about being cyberbullied.
Your kids should also learn to select
appropriate privacy settings on their
online accounts, so that they only
accept friends or follow requests
including deciding which sites they’re
allowed to access, for how long, and
what they are permitted to do on
those sites.
from people they personally know A final way you can protect your
When you speak to your kids about and allow posts to be broadcast only kids from becoming the victims of
their online activities, encourage to their circle of friends or followers. cyberbullying is to stay in regular
them not to respond in kind to As Mrs. Brown succinctly puts it, contact with their teachers. Since
a kid’s cyberbullies are often to be
found among his or her class - or
school mates, teachers are some
of the best sources of information
about any potential problems at
school. It’s important that you speak
to their teachers not just about
how they’re doing academically but
also socially. Teachers may notice
troubling interactions inside or
outside the classroom.
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