Protecting your child from being bullied online
A guide for parents and caregivers to understand and combat cyberbullying in today's digital world.
Nowadays, many children have access to the internet and are regularly online, for learning purposes, exploring the wealth of information available on the web, or connecting with friends and family. However, this digital growth also risks exposing children to cyberbullying.
It is, therefore, important for parents and caregivers to understand what cyberbullying is, the signs that it is taking place and, importantly, how to take proactive steps to protect children from harm.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that occurs online using digital technologies, such as social media platforms, texts, or private messages. It involves harassing or embarrassing someone to intimidate or abuse them. This form of bullying includes targeting a child using negative, harmful and, sometimes, false information. It can also include sharing embarrassing images or videos, sending threatening messages, spreading rumours and posting hurtful comments.
What are the different forms of cyberbullying? [1]
Doxxing/Doxing: When a child’s personal information, is shared publicly to harass or intimidate them.
Harassment: Continuously sending abusive or threatening messages online.
Outing: Publicly sharing sensitive information such as a child’s gender identity or sexual orientation without that child’s consent to humiliate or embarrass him or her.
Cyberstalking: Monitoring a child’s online presence closely, and possibly making threats against a child or loved one. This can extend beyond the online world and become serious for a child and his/her family.
Fraping: Logging into a child’s social media account and posting inappropriate content in his or her name to cause reputational damage.
Fake profiles: Setting up a fake profile in a child’s name and publishing false information and content without his/her knowledge.
Dissing/Denigration: Posting and spreading cruel information about a child online to cause reputational damage and strain relationships with others.
Trickery: Befriending a child and gaining his/her trust to learn sensitive information which is then shared online to cause harm or embarrassment.
Trolling: Posting insulting comments about a child online to cause hurt.
Catfishing: Creating a fake online identity and pretending to be someone else to befriend a child and build an online relationship. This relationship is then manipulated to gain sensitive information which can used to embarrass a child or harm his/her reputation.
Exclusion: Deliberately leaving someone out of online conversations or activities, with the intent to make the victim feel isolated or depressed.
[1] Types of Cyberbullying
Signs that your child might be experiencing cyberbullying
It is important that parents and caregivers recognise the signs of cyberbullying at the earliest stages. Some of the common signs that a child is being bullied online are that he/she is:
- hiding or refusing to share his/her online activity or experience.
- upset after using the internet or his/her mobile phone.
- spending longer time than usual online, or on his/her devices, or not using them anymore?
- hiding the phone or stopping what they are doing on the laptop when a parent appears around.
- avoiding social events or friends, and becoming reclusive.
- refusing to go to school and/or getting lower marks than usual.
Have you noticed:
- Any changes in your child’s mood? For example, is your son or daughter nervous, anxious, angry or quiet?
- If your child is having trouble sleeping and has no appetite?
- If your child is less interested in their hobbies than before?
- If your child is complaining of headaches or stomach aches?
- If your child has expressed thoughts of self-harm?
These may be an indicator that your child is being bullied.
Click to learn more about how cyberbullying affects your child
How can you support your child?
Do you feel that your child is being cyberbullied? If so, it is important to take immediate steps to support him or her to overcome this difficult situation.
Make your child feel safe: Let your child know that he/she can express his/her feelings and concerns without any judgement or interruption. Encourage your child to talk about any issues he/she may be facing online. Reassure your child that you love and support him/her.
Check and adjust the privacy settings on your child’s devices: Adjust the privacy settings on your child’s social media accounts and block any cyberbullies that you know of to limit exposing your child to harmful content. (You can read more about how to safeguard to protect your child’s digital experience here)
Document evidence: Once you are aware of any cyberbullying incidents, keep records of it. It can be screenshots of messages or posts; this can be useful when reporting the behaviour to authorities.
Report to authorities: If you know who is bullying your child, talk with his/her parents or caregivers. Additionally, contact school authorities, as online bullying could also indicate offline bullying. Also inform the administrators of the platforms on which the bullying is happening. (Information about reporting to social media platforms can be found here- Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram)
Seek support: If you have found evidence that a child is being cyberbullied, do not dismiss the effects of cyberbullying. Even when the bullying stops, the anxiety can continue. Seek help from a trained professional such as a counsellor. Your child can get help, he/she needs to cope with the emotional impact of being cyberbullied and learn coping strategies.
Educate: Teach your child about online safety so that he/she can recognize and respond to cyberbullying effectively.
Click to read more tips for parents to help keep teenagers safe and well on social media
Advice and conversation starters for talking to your child about staying safe online.
Signs that your child might be bullying others online
Realizing that your child might be cyberbullying others can be difficult for parents or caregivers to accept. Remember, it’s not a reflection of your parenting skills. Just like being bullied, being a bully needs intervention and support. Ignoring the signs or denying the possibility will not make the problem disappear. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences, so it's crucial to address it as soon as possible and support your child to change his/her behaviour.
Are you worried that your child might be bullying others? Here are some signs to look out for:
Secretive online behaviour: Your child might try to hide his/her online activities from you or quickly switch screens when you are nearby.
Late-night online activity: If your child is spending a lot of time online late at night or when he/she is unsupervised, he/she might be engaging in inappropriate behaviour.
Strong reaction to losing computer privileges: While most children might be upset with losing their computer or technology privileges, a cyberbully might react very defensively or angrily.
Using multiple accounts or fake names: Your child might be creating multiple online accounts to hide his/her identity.
Conflict with friends: Has your child talked about any fights he/she had with their friends, especially online? This could be related to cyberbullying.
Increased aggression: If your child is behaving in a noticeably aggressive or spiteful manner towards others online or offline, it could be a sign of cyberbullying.
Remember, your love and support can make a big difference to your child’s well-being and how he/she responds to cyberbullying.
Below are some additional tips:
Tips on how to look after yourself and others online
Tips on how to talk to your child about bullying, peer pressure and body image
Sources
www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-cyber-bullying-definition-types-effects-laws/
https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/cyberbullying-effects
https://kids.kaspersky.com/10-forms-of-cyberbullying/
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/cyberbullying-what-you-need-to-know
https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/behaviour/bullying/cyberbullying-helping-your-child
https://www.safesearchkids.com/how-to-tell-if-your-child-is-involved-in-cyberbullying/
https://www.cybersmile.org/advice-help/category/is-my-child-a-cyberbully[KF1] [KF2]
https://connectsafely.org/cyberbullying
