Cyber Bullying: Know the Facts

Bullying is not a new concept- Parents and their children have been dealing with these playground menaces since the beginning of organized education. But the internet has brought forth an entirely new concept in youthful harassment: the cyber bully. And unlike traditional schoolyard bullies, the cyber bully isn’t restricted by the confines of a lunch break.

Cyber bullying is any mean or hurtful behavior aimed at someone over the internet, or through the use of technology. Instant messengers, social networking sites, chat rooms, blogs, and text messages are all common places to find cyber bullying. And it’s a growing epidemic. According to the United States government, almost 40% of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 have had someone send them a vulgar, offensive or hurtful message, with girls being twice as likely as their male counterparts to engage in cyber bullying. (Stop Bullying Now)

So what can you do if you suspect that your child is the victim of cyber bulling? Start with an open conversation. Explain to your teen that it is not ok for anyone to make them feel uncomfortable- in person or online. Then, keep these ideas in mind:

·         Check out the “terms and conditions” of the social networking sites, chat room, or blog that your child is frequenting. Many of these have a ban on inappropriate use or language. Contact them with the web address that the cyber bullying is using.

·         Don’t delete the emails or text messages that come through. Instead, save or print them out as proof of what is going on.

·         Strongly discourage your child from responding to the cyber bully – they will more than likely move on.

·         If you see emails that contain threats of violence, extortion, pornography, stalking, or possible hate crimes, (or if you fear that your child’s cyber bully may be an adult or a criminal) contact your local police department immediately. Again, maintain a copy of all correspondence, email, or text messages

The sooner you act to stop an online bully, the faster your child can get their life back. 

But what happens if you suspect that your teen is on the other side of the screen? Check back with us next week, when we explore What to Do if Your Teen is a Cyber Bully.