CYBERBULLYING AND OTHER THREATS FOR KIDS

Internet Threats for Kids

One of the most important features of the internet is the easy access to virtually unlimited information. It allows our kids to connect with and learn from the rest of the world. However, like many other good things, there are potential threats, including cyberbullying and online grooming, which is why cyber safety for parents and children is of utmost importance.

Cyber-bullying

According to statistics on cyberbullying:

• There is a connection between intensive social media use and mental ill-health.
• Of children currently experiencing a mental health problem, over 2/3 (68%) say they experienced cyberbullying in the last year.
• About 59% of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online, and a similar share says it’s a major problem for people their age.
• A 2016 report from the Cyberbullying Research Center indicates that 33.8% of students between 12 and 17 were victims of cyberbullying in their lifetime. Conversely, 11.5% of students between 12 and 17 indicated that they had engaged in cyberbullying in their lifetime.

Signs That Your Child Is Being Bullied Online

Cyberbullying is dangerous and can be at least as harmful as the bullying on the schoolyard or the child’s community. As such, it can lead to many problems ranging from depression to anger, to a lack of self-esteem. Cyberbullying can even lead a child to the point of suicide – a parent’s worst nightmare.

Before cyberbullying becomes an issue for your child, learn how to detect it, and stop it in its tracks.

Depression

Does your child seem depressed for no reason that you can pinpoint? If so, it’s possible that they are experiencing online bullying. Keep an open dialogue with your child about their feelings and about everything that is going on in his or her life. This way, if cyberbullying is happening to them, it will feel natural for them to talk about it.

Anger After Internet Use

If your child’s anger seems to flare up after being on the internet, it is a sign that they may be a victim of cyberbullying. Don’t jump too quickly to punish and shut down your child’s unexplained anger. Instead, it’s is far more helpful to find out the root cause of it.

Let your child know they can confide in you and stay calm during conversations. This way, you’re able to prove that you are a safe person for your child to talk to.

Mentioning the Cyberbullying

If your child mentions the bullying, be thankful, because the majority of cyberbullying victims hide it from their parents. But don’t take it lightly. You need a strategy.

First, don’t jump to action immediately. Rather, remain calm so that your child continues to see you as their advocate.

Do what you can to amicably resolve the bullying. And if you can’t stop something, then you may have to make difficult choices. For example, you may insist that your child take a break from the activity until things change, for their protection.

Being Secretive about Online Activities

As mentioned, only a few children talk about online bullying, while most keep it a secret from their parents. If your child doesn’t seem to want to talk about their online experiences, make note of it.

Your child may quickly shut down the computer when you enter the room. Or they refuse to respond to your questions about their online activities. That means you should dig deeper into the issue.

Withdrawing from “Real Life” Friends and Family

Cyberbullying affects every area of a child’s life. One sign your child may be experiencing is withdrawal from their family and friends. Bullying harms a child’s self-esteem which consequently harms “real life” relationships. This is a clear sign that you need to find out what may be happening online.

Cyberbullying can be difficult to handle because many online users misuse the anonymity to behave badly without consequences. If you can expose and therefore stop an online bully, do it. If you cannot make it stop, you may have to remove your child from online activities.

Could My Child Be a Cyberbully?

Every parent dreads the thought of their child being bullied online. But very few parents also think about the fact that their child could easily become a cyberbully.

As a parent of a child on the aggressive end, you should take cyberbullying very seriously. Here are some signs your child may be doing this to others, with tips on what to do.

Be Knowledgeable

Children in today’s world grow up very knowledgeable about electronics. They usually know a lot more than you think!

For that reason, you should be alert about the latest trends and things in your child’s life.

Learn about the online games they play and the apps they use to communicate. If you can’t play with them, they should know that you’re aware of what’s going on.

Monitor Your Child’s Electronic Activities Closely

Don’t allow your child unlimited freedom when it comes to online activities. Communicate to your child that you will be reading their texts, checking their online accounts, and watching them occasionally as they participate in online games and forums.

Be cautious about allowing your child to have internet access in their room. Additionally, study how your child interacts with others online.

You need to bring up the conversation with your child about their tendencies to behave like a bully. That is, it looks like your child is:

• Aggressive in their communications with others.
• Using foul language directed at others.
• Mocking them others for their looks or clothing, etc.

Install Parental Control Tools on All Electronic Devices

There are parental control tools that allow you to keep a close watch on your child when they are online. Instead of doing this secretly, let the family know that you’re watching online activities. This will maintain the trust between you and your child and will help them to monitor themselves.

Some of these parental controls will even monitor conversations between your child and those they are interacting with. They’ll pick up on abusive dialogue and report to you.

Keep an Open Dialogue with Your Child

Hopefully, you have kept an open dialogue with your child since they were very young about everything. As they get older, this includes online activities. Talk about cyberbullying and its dangers. Ask them if they have ever been a victim, or if they have felt they were ever bullying someone.

Be sure to maintain your composure while you engage in this conversation. That way, your child will feel more able to open up to you about it.

Being aware of cyberbullying and being a vigilant parent, you are making the world a better and safer place for all.

Also read: Advantages of overnight youth camps

How to Keep Your Child Safe from Online Grooming?

Online grooming is something every parent needs to be aware of and prepared for. If your child uses the internet, you should already know of the bad actors seeking to exploit our most vulnerable. Here are some facts to be aware of in order to keep your child safe.

What Is Online Grooming?

Online grooming is when someone with nefarious motives attempts to gain the attention and trust of their victim. The end goal is to abuse and exploit the victim.

Online grooming includes actions such as building an emotionally close relationship with a child. The groomer makes the unsuspecting child say things that will help them gain access to the child.

Be Aware of Your Child’s Online Activities

Although most of us have good intentions toward our children, there is a world of people who do not. For this reason, it is important to keep tabs on who exactly your child is interacting with online.

As we have seen with cyberbullying, you should avoid going behind your child’s back. Instead, let them know that you’ll be monitoring their activities on all their devices. Also, have a genuine interest in their online activities and ask them to explain things to you.

Keep computers and all other electronic devices in public areas. Also, have a special recharging station for the devices to be turned in each night. This is to make sure your children are not using the devices inappropriately while you sleep.

Install appropriate software on your child’s electronic devices so that you can see what they are using their devices for. There is even software that keeps track of inappropriate conversations. Then, it red-flags the conversations and notifies you as the parent.

Be Aware of Unusual Behavior

As in cyberbullying, watch if your child is acting in an unusual manner as a result of online grooming. If your child quickly shuts down their device when you appear, find out why.

Online predators will often purchase separate devices so that a child can communicate with them without parents finding out. So, if your child suddenly acquires a new device that they could not afford, determine where it came from.

Build and Maintain a Strong Relationship with Your Child

The most important defense against online predators you can have is to work on a strong relationship with your child. Find out your child’s most favorite time to talk and have a daily conversation with them.

Listen to the small things, because when something crucial happens they will then be comfortable communicating with you about it.

Conclusion

Keeping children safe in today’s world can be stressful. But parents must always keep their eyes on the ball.

Remember to understand your child first before you jump to conclusions.

Whether you’re dealing with cyberbullying, gaming or online grooming make sure you have a strategy and stick to it.

Further reading:

• Online safety for kids: A parent’s guide
• Nine things your child should never do online
• A parent’s guide to online parental control tools

 –Discipline Basics                                                                                     –Consider Where Your Child Struggles                                                   –Use Age Appropriate Consequences                                                     –Be Clear About Expectations And Consequences                             –One Firm Warning Is Enough                                                                 –And so much more!