Social media should bring us together. However, it’s creating a rift between groups and individuals as they take digs at one another in a passive-aggressive game of online dodgeball.
Posting negative comments about another person is a passive-aggressive attempt at bullying.
Kids try to avoid these attacks, but it has become nearly impossible to escape some sort of online bullying. Almost three out of every four kids have witnessed online cyberbullying, and nearly half of them have been bullied online. Cyber harassment threatens the well-being and safety of our kids.
Prevention is the first step in stopping cyber harassment. If cyber harassment occurs, you’ll have to take the matter into your own hands and go beyond preventative strategies.
Monitor Your Kids’ Screen Time
It may be your kid’s phone or tablet, but you’re responsible for the well-being of your kids regardless of the device they use.
Your kids may not tell you everything about a cyber harassment event because they want to handle the issue on their own, or they may feel embarrassment or guilt about being harrassed. If you think your child is being bullied, talk to them.
Ask questions regarding what’s going on, and reassure your kid to question the bad behavior of others.
Not all children will open up about their online experiences, so you must remain vigilant by monitoring the warning signs of cyber harassment:
· Changes in times or amount of texting or posting.
· Secretive behavior while using an electronic device, like hiding their screens.
· Avoidance of favorite activities.
· Sharp changes in behavior: for example, becoming depressed or reacting emotionally to messages.
Know How to Document and Report Cyberharassment
When possible, take screenshots of the cyber harassment. Save them as evidence.
There are many social media platforms and carriers and even more websites that allow for interactive messaging, but many of them are committed to helping you find and stop bullying.
Most apps and websites devote a page to security and safety; look there for info on changing the settings and reporting harassment.
If the problem continues, speak to other parents. Are their kids having similar issues? Band together to stop cyber harassment.
Follow Through Until You Have a Resolution
Reporting cyber harassment is not enough. Follow through with your report. Authorities can not tell you details about the resolution, but they can let you know if they have handled the issue.
Monitor texts and social media posts to assure the problem has been dealt with.
The Cyber-Harassment Solutions You Need
Modern phones and electronic devices allow you to adjust the settings on your kids’ electronic devices, but that may not be enough.
Cyber solutions to cyber harassment allow you to harness the power of tech to put an end to the harassment with apps like My Mobile Watchdog and BullyTag. My Mobile Watchdog enables parents to monitor their kids’ messages, calls, and digital footprint. Bully Tag enables kids to record incidents of bullying for further documentation.
Cyber harassment is never okay.
