Cyber Bullying: What Parents Can Do

Although it is difficult for you to monitor your children at all times, it is extremely important to pay close attention to possible cyber bullying incidents involving their children, especially if their kids are younger. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)  gives parents control over what information websites can collect from kids.

Help Kids be Smart Online or While Texting

Here are some things that you can do to help prevent cyber bullying.

Communicate with your children. Set up a daily time to check in with your son or daughter, and listen to any concerns about online activities that they are involved in. Talk specifically about cyber bullying and encourage your children to tell you immediately if they see or experience cyber bullying. 

Be aware of where your children go online. Familiarize yourself with the technology they are using.

Develop and enforce rules. Work together and come to a clear understanding about when, where, and for what purpose phones and computers can be used. Develop clear rules about what is and what is not appropriate online. Decide on fair consequences and follow through consistently.

How You Can Help

If you know or suspect your children are being cyber bullied, take quick action.

Talk with your children. Do not just ignore the bullying problem or hope it will go away. Tell your child that you are concerned and that you'd like to help.

Tell your child not to respond to cyber bullying. Responding can sometimes make the situation worse.

Empathize with your child. Tell him or her that cyber bullying is wrong, that it is not their fault, and that you are glad he or she had the courage to tell you about it. Do not assume that your child did something to provoke the bullying. For instance, do not ask things like, “What did you do to aggravate the other child?”

Work together to find solutions. Ask your children what he or she thinks can be done to help, and reassure him or her that the situation can be handled and still keep them safe.

Document ongoing cyber bullying. Work with your children to record bullying incidents. Write down what happened, where, who was involved, and when it occurred. Find out how your child reacted and how the students bullying, bystanders, and adults responded.

Block the person who is cyber bullying your children. Many websites and phone companies let you block people. Cyber bullying may violate the “Terms and Conditions” of these services. Consider contacting them to file a complaint.

Be Persistent. Talk regularly with your child to see whether the cyber bullying has stopped. If the bullying persists or escalates, you may need to contact the appropriate people again or talk with an attorney. Don’t give up.

10 Consejos básicos contra el Ciberbullying

I.         No contestes a las provocaciones, ignóralas. Cuenta hasta cien y piensa en otra cosa.

II.         Compórtate con educación en la Red. Usa la Netiqueta.

III.         Si te molestan, abandona la conexión y pide ayuda.

IV.         No facilites datos personales. Te sentirás más protegido/a.

V.         No hagas en la Red lo que no harías a la cara.

VI.         Si te acosan, guarda las pruebas.

VII.         Cuando te molesten al usar un servicio online, pide ayuda a su gestor/a.

VIII.         No pienses que estás del todo seguro/a al otro lado de la pantalla.

IX.         Advierte a quien abusa de que está cometiendo un delito.

X.         Si hay amenazas graves pide ayuda con urgencia.