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Wall, NJ 07719
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Cyber Bullying: What Parents Can Do
Cyber bullying sadly is a reality. Below are some highlights from THIS article. Click the link for the full piece and leave your comments below. Please be sure to forward to anyone you know who could be affected from cyber bullying.
Defining Cyber Bullying
Targets: According to Dr. Kate Roberts, Boston-based psychologist and cyber bullying expert: “Targets are the same students who are bullied in person,” says Roberts. “They are vulnerable, have difficulty reading social cues and they are often alone and socially isolated.”
Kids respond differently to abuse from others, says Jennifer Hancock, author of “The Bully Vaccine.”
“Parents need to understand that cyber bullying isn’t happening in isolation,” says Hancock. “It is a part of a larger pattern of harassment, that in the adult world would be considered stalking – and it is as emotionally damaging as stalking – so take it seriously.”
Educate your Child about Cyber Bullying
- Have the ‘Cyber Bullying’ Conversation: Children don’t like to talk about bullying, but according to Roberts, “the reason for this is they have likely bullied themselves, been bullied or been a bullying bystander and the talk brings up these memories and feelings of shame.” Parents need to have an open conversation and respond without judgment as their children open up about what they know.
- Explain How What You Don’t Know Does Hurt You: Some kids minimize or justify cyber bullying by saying that the target didn’t even know what was said. Roberts suggests explaining to your kids that it still hurts. “Use their life experiences to illustrate how badly they feel when people talk about them negatively,” she says.
- Set Cyber Safety Rules: Whenever your children interact online, remind them that they never really know who is on the other end of cyber communication. With that in mind, Roberts recommends enforcing the guideline of “don’t do or say anything online that you wouldn’t do or say in person.”
- Monitor Online Use: Know what your children are doing online to help them prevent cyber bullying and cope with it. Limit time spent on technology to naturally minimize access to and involvement with cyber bullying, suggests Roberts.
How to Help Your Child Cope:
Your child’s school may be the best advocate for prevention of cyber bullying and, more importantly, enforcement of cyber bullying school policies, especially if your child is a victim. If you fear that your child is a target of cyber bullying, Roberts suggests getting to know the school administrator in charge of overseeing bullying.
Many school districts enforce a “no tolerance” bully policy that now includes cyber bullying.
“Whatever strategy you develop has to be comprehensive and your child has to take the lead on it with your support and assistance to report any incidents,” says Hancock. “They probably won’t be willing to disconnect entirely, but perhaps you can convince them to ban certain individuals from their Facebook stream so that they don’t see the content anymore.”
Unfortunately, many kids do not tell their parents about cyber bullying because they fear the parent’s first response is to get rid of the child’s access to the Internet. Be more creative, says Hancock. “Help them keep their access to the Internet but eliminate the people harassing them,” she says. “That works to instill trust and helps your child come to you for help in the future.”
And finally, never be afraid to seek help from outside sources.
Source: http://www.findananny.net/blog/what-parents-can-do-to-help-teen-victims-of-cyber-bullying/
From www.findananny.net
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3350 Highway 138 Building 2 Suite 126,
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