How To Help Your Child Deal With Cyberbullying

Bullying can have a detrimental effect on a child’s mental, emotional, and physical health. If it persists for a long time, children face a heightened risk of developing issues such as anxiety and depression. The emergence of content sharing and social media sites, such as Facebook and TikTok, gave rise to a new form of bullying known as cyberbullying. The term refers to repeated hurtful and aggressive behaviour towards another person using digital technologies. 

Parents must be involved in their child’s online life, teach them how to stay private on social media platforms, and notice when something is wrong. 

Unlike bullying that takes place in a work or school environment, cyberbullying doesn’t end when you come home. Online bullying can happen at any time and can be done by anyone. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullies can hide behind their screens and online personas.

One research showed that over two million British children experience cyberbullying yearly, and a quarter of children say it has worsened during recent lockdowns. 

COMMON SIGNS YOUR CHILD MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING CYBERBULLYING

Many children don’t tell anyone about bullying because they feel embarrassed and ashamed of being a victim. They might also be afraid that involving an adult will make things worse. Parents need to be aware of signs that something concerning might be happening. Act if you notice that your child: 

• Hides their devices when you’re present
• Suddenly stops using their devices, even though they regularly used them before
• Seems upset after using their computer or phone
• Appears nervous when they receive a message
• Avoids talking about their online activities
• Becomes withdrawn from family, friends, and usual activities
• Struggles with decreased self-esteem and confidence
• Doesn’t want to go to school and their academic performance drops
• Experiences sleep disturbances 
• Shows significant changes in appetite

HELP YOUR CHILD COPE WITH CYBERBULLYING

Make sure your child feels that they can get support at home. Nurture open communication, listen without judgment or blame, and always take their feelings and concerns seriously. Try to work out a solution together. 

Familiarise yourself with the platforms your child likes and advise them to: 

• utilise privacy settings 
• have a strong password and never share it 
• Be careful about sharing private information online, and never share with strangers
• Think before uploading or posting content 
• Never engage with a bully
• save proof of bullying and block them
• talk to an adult they trust
• Best VPN

Most importantly, agree on rules and boundaries for tech usage. Additionally, consider notifying your child’s school about the situation. In many cases, cyberbullies are children from school, and bullying is also taking place offline. 

IN CONCLUSION

While bullying is not a new challenge for parents and children, the rise of new technologies allowed it to expand its reach. As parents, we must remain vigilant and work with our children to ensure a safe online environment. Nurture healthy dialogue, raise your child’s awareness of risks and dangers, and establish rules. With the right approach, social media can positively impact our children and adolescents.