What you need to know about cyber bullying

According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, it is estimated that 10-40% of today's kids experience cyber bullying in one form or another. For some, bullying may seem like a rite of passage. But for others, the negative effects of cyberbullying can be debilitating. Distractions that arise from cyber bullying can make students lose focus in school, be withdrawn from their families, and fall victim to all levels of harassment. As dads we must be aware of what's going on to be able to intervene, help or support.

What is cyberbullying?
Cyber bullying is like traditional bullying, the behavior is the same, but technology is used to expand the environment in which bullying takes place. E.g. posting embarrassing videos and texting hateful words/threats all fall under the realm of cyber bullying.

What can I do about it?
Tips for parents, teachers and caregivers. If you believe your child is being cyber-bullied:

• Encourage your child to print out the email, instant message conversations, or social networking site webpage and bring the “evidence” to a school counselor, teacher or administrator, so action can be taken to reprimand the bully


• Send the conversations to the “report abuse” section of the website it appeared on. Websites that are safe will make appropriate responses to the abuse


• Block the bully or bullies from friends’ lists and ask your child to stop responding to their messages


• Help your child understand their virtual rights and that cyber bullying is never acceptable behavior


• Remind your child that schools are keen to ensure cyber bullying does not take place and that he/she can help make that happen


• Show your child a few videos where celebrities have taken a stand against bullying (e.g. Justin Bieber) etc. Encourage them to do the same.

• Talk to your child in a non-threatening way about the reasons why they are bullying. Remind them that it is easier to act impulsively and misinterpret information online because the brain isn’t receiving physical cues that it normally would if in person


• Encourage your child to keep an off-line diary of their online action. This diary, private from Google and other blog searches, lets them record their thoughts, feelings and interactions they have on the Internet and can empower you child to take a moment to step away from the technology and reflect on their actions online


• Bullying is done for a reason - find out what bugs your child so much that they feel they have to bully another child

Submitted by Angela McLean, Adina's Deck

About Adina’s Deck - Adina’s Deck is a multimedia company that aims to educate parents, teachers, caregivers and their children about important online issues. For more information please visit www.adinasdeck.com.