What is Cyberbulling?
Cyberbullying is the cruelty that occurs when negative comments are shared through electronic devices such as cell phones or online devices.
Statistics Regarding Cyberbullying
- 1/3 of high school students have been a target of cyberbullying.
- 11% of middle school students have been a target of cyberbullying in the last month.
- 1 out of 6 parents know their child has been a victim of cyberbullying.
- 39% of teenagers that use social media have been a target of bullying.
- 88% of teens that use social media have witnessed cyberbullying.
(Pew Internet and American Life Survey, 2011)
Society is changing; communication is changing; bullying is changing. Our children are exposed to new technologies daily and need resources to deal with these technologies. Bullying is a problem for K-12 students worldwide. What role do parents play in educating their children and preventing bullying through social media? Three guidelines that can help parents are awareness, engagement, and empowerment.
Parents need to be aware of the types of cyberbullying, the signs of cyberbullying, and guidelines to prevent cyberbullying. Parents need to teach their children about the risks of being online as well as how to navigate the different social media technologies.
Parents must also show engagement by having positive discussions about online safety, the importance of limiting the amount of information and pictures children share, how to use privacy settings to limit public access to their profiles, and the importance of not meeting people in public whom they have only met through online forums such as Facebook.
Parents must also empower their children by respecting children's privacy and not overreacting if their child comes to them with a problem. Instead, as a parent, you should work with your child to resolve the problem.
Bullying is no longer confined to a certain location. Cyberbullying can occur anywhere and anytime.
Parents need to be aware of the types of cyberbullying, the signs of cyberbullying, and guidelines to prevent cyberbullying. Parents need to teach their children about the risks of being online as well as how to navigate the different social media technologies.
Parents must also show engagement by having positive discussions about online safety, the importance of limiting the amount of information and pictures children share, how to use privacy settings to limit public access to their profiles, and the importance of not meeting people in public whom they have only met through online forums such as Facebook.
Parents must also empower their children by respecting children's privacy and not overreacting if their child comes to them with a problem. Instead, as a parent, you should work with your child to resolve the problem.
Bullying is no longer confined to a certain location. Cyberbullying can occur anywhere and anytime.
For more information on cyberbullying, please refer to the resources section of this site.