Safeguarding Your Child: A Guide to Dealing with Cyberbullying

The increasing exposure of children to the online world in the age of digital connectivity makes them susceptible to cyberbullying. As a parent, discovering that your child is a victim of cyberbullying can be distressing, but it's crucial to respond promptly and effectively. Here's a comprehensive guide on what to do if your child is being cyberbullied before it’s too late.

Maintain Calm Communication:

• Approach the situation with a calm demeanor. Initiate an open and non-judgmental conversation with your child, Making sure they feel safe sharing this information. Establishing trust and not making them feel guilty is paramount in understanding the full extent of cyberbullying.

Document the Evidence:

• Gather evidence such as screenshots, messages, or posts. This documentation will be valuable proof when reporting the incident to authorities or platform administrators.

Block and Report:

• Instruct your child to block the bully on all relevant platforms and report the incident using available reporting mechanisms and meet with school administrators. Most online platforms take cyberbullying seriously and have policies in place to address such issues.  Schools have very specific guidelines regarding this problem, although occasionally I do hear complaints that not enough is done.  

Involve School Authorities:

• If the cyberbullying involves classmates, inform your school authorities. Many educational institutions have established protocols for handling cyberbullying incidents that occur outside the school and can take appropriate measures to ensure your child's safety in school.

Seek Professional Help:

•  Your child is probably experiencing emotional distress, so please consider involving mental health professionals. Counseling can provide support and guidance for both you and your child to cope with the emotional impact of cyberbullying.  Cyberbullying can be deadly.

Educate and Empower:

• Empower your child with knowledge about online safety and responsible digital behavior. Digital predators are real and can be students or adults. Teach your child to recognize and appropriately respond to cyberbullying situations independently while sharing this information with you. Reinforce the importance of reporting any suspicious or harmful online behavior. If you see an article or tv show that covers this a small reference to it will keep this on their radar.

Monitor and Restrict Online Activity:

• Implement monitoring tools or parental controls to keep track of your child's online activities. If necessary, restrict access to certain websites or platforms to create a safer online environment for your child. Unfortunately, many savvy kids can get around these safeguards.
• Remember, combating cyberbullying requires a collaborative effort between parents, schools, and online platforms. Stay vigilant, communicate openly with your child, and take the necessary actions promptly to protect them from the harmful effects of cyberbullying. By addressing the issue, you can contribute to creating a safer online space for your child and others.

Part 2

As a follow-up to my last article, my recommendation is no electronics in the bedroom at night.  

Having devices in the bedroom at bedtime will contribute to an increased risk of cyberbullying for several reasons. Here's why this practice may be a recipe for cyberbullying:

Lack of Parental Supervision:

• When children have electronic devices, such as smartphones or computers, in their bedrooms at night, it becomes challenging for parents to monitor their online activities closely. The absence of direct supervision will create an environment where cyberbullying can occur without immediate detection.

Increased Unsolicited Online Interactions:

• With devices readily available, children are more likely to engage in unsupervised online interactions, such as social media conversations or messaging apps. This lack of supervision exposes them to potential cyberbullying from peers or strangers 24/7.

Anonymity and Impersonal Communication:

• The digital realm provides anonymity that emboldens kids to engage in cyberbullying. When children are using electronic devices in the privacy of their bedrooms, they may encounter harmful messages or harassment without the immediate support of parents.  It happens and it can be lethal.  Be aware this danger can occur for hours nightly, and may go on for weeks and months without your knowledge. Teen suicide from cyberbullying happens more than you think. Students are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide if they get cyberbullied.  13.6 percent of adolescents have made a serious suicide attempt after being cyberbullied.

24/7 Connectivity:

• Keeping electronic devices in the bedroom at night means constant connectivity, allowing potential cyberbullying incidents to extend beyond school hours. This continuous access to the online world can contribute to prolonged exposure to harmful content or interactions.

Social Comparison and Pressure:

• Social media platforms often foster an environment where individuals, especially females, compare themselves to their peers. This constant comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy or pressure to conform, potentially resulting in anxiety and depression.

Impact on Sleep and Mental Health:

• Electronic devices in the bedroom can impact sleep quality and overall mental health. Sleep deprivation and increased stress levels may make children more vulnerable to the emotional toll of cyberbullying.

Delayed Reporting and Intervention:

• If a child experiences cyberbullying in the privacy of their bedroom, they may be hesitant to report it immediately. Delayed reporting will hinder timely intervention by parents, educators, or authorities, allowing the cyberbullying to persist or escalate and bring potentially devastating harm.

To mitigate the risk of cyberbullying, it is advisable for parents to establish clear rules regarding device usage, especially during nighttime hours. Encouraging open communication, teaching online safety, and monitoring online activities can help create a safer digital environment for children, reducing the likelihood of encountering cyberbullying situations.

Mike Bogdanski 

America’s ANTI Bully