Cyber Bullying Awareness

Social media has allowed people to say what they think and hide their identity. It has given people room to be cruel and not have to face the consequences face to face. It doesn't just happen to kids, but adults as well. I can create a fake account and say hurtful things on someone's facebook/Twitter/Instagram page. If an adult is hurt by it, what more a child?

I went onto a website call Stop Bullying, and I found this information, which I think is important to share and understand 

What is cyber bullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior. 1

It is important to understand how children are cyberbullied so it can be easily recognized and action can be taken. Some of the most common cyberbullying tactics include:

• Posting comments or rumors about someone online that are mean, hurtful, or embarrassing.
• Threatening to hurt someone or telling them to kill themselves. 
• Posting a mean or hurtful picture or video. 
• Pretending to be someone else online in order to solicit or post personal or false information about someone else. 
• Posting mean or hateful names, comments, or content about any race, religion, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics online.
• Creating a mean or hurtful webpage about someone. 
• Doxing, an abbreviated form of the word documents, is a form of online harassment used to exact revenge and to threaten and destroy the privacy of individuals by making their personal information public, including addresses, social security, credit card and phone numbers, links to social media accounts, and other private data.2

Signs of cyberbullying vary, but may include:

• being emotionally upset during or after using the Internet or the phone
• being very secretive or protective of one's digital life
• withdrawal from family members, friends, and activities
• avoiding school or group gatherings
• slipping grades and "acting out" in anger at home
• changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or appetite
• wanting to stop using the computer or cellphone
• being nervous or jumpy when getting an instant message, text, or email
• avoiding discussions about computer or cellphone activities3

So how can you help as a parent?

• Reassure your child that it is not their fault
  
• Let the teacher know what is happening
• Block the bully. If you can have a calm discussion with the parent of the bully, then try contact them and see what can be done
• Know your child's passwords and accounts and any other online activity
• Limit the time they spend on their phone / tablet / laptop

What if your child is the bully?

Sometimes children become bullies as a cry for attention; they are going through something and are angry about it and do not know what to do. It could be a situation at home, frustrations at school, or something personal they are going through, or they are bullied at school and are now retaliating.

It is not easy to deal with or face. Some parents ignore out of disbelief, some lash out at the other parent, some attack the child for embarrassing them. 

It is important to speak calmly to your child, try and find out what is going on with them. Children are not born bad, circumstances or the environment makes them bad, so do not blame your child. Speak to experts to see how you can help your child get through whatever they are going through. 

The most important thing is NEVER IGNORE YOUR CHILD OR WHAT YOU ARE TOLD IS HAPPENING TO YOUR CHILD

Keep being attentive to your child and keep loving them

Till Next Monday

Stay Blessed

Tafi

#beingaparent



Sources: 
https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cyberbullying.html