Friday, March 14, 2014

Cyberbullying

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.


For more information, please visit the following sites.
18 Tips from Parents.com

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