Cyberbullying has been front page news this month with controversy over a social media app, Yik-Yak. (Click to read Chicago Tribune Article) Cyberbullying is causing someone harm using technologies such as chatting, texting, commenting and social networking sites or apps. Cyberbullying can include spreading rumors, sending a hostile text, photoshopping someone’s picture or even stealing someone’s password and hacking into their account.
It’s never too soon to start a conversation with your child about cyberbullying. Starting a dialogue with the following questions could help facilitate the discussion.
- Have you ever received a message from someone who was being mean to you?
- Have you ever sent a mean message because you were upset?
- Who would you talk to if you were being cyberbullied?
It is also important to teach your children these strategies to help them avoid being cyberbullied.
- Never respond to rude emails, comments or messages.
- Block users you know to be cyberbullies and turn of comments on sites like YouTube.
- If the cyberbullying is reoccuring, make sure you save evidence. Don’t delete emails or texts and take screenshots of websites where the harassment is occurring.
- Contact website creators and alert them to any cyberbullying taking place on their site. Ask them to remove any harmful content.
- Change your phone number, create a new email account or delete and create a new profile on apps and websites. Then only share your new information with trustworthy people.
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18 Tips from Parents.com
