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There was once a time when children were only bullied at school or on the playground. However, bullying has now been taken to the online world, and it is known as cyberbullying.
What Is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is when children use the Internet to purposely hurt a peer. The tactics may include the following:
Unfortunately, cyberbullying is an ongoing situation that does not stop overnight. It can lead to harmful consequences for the victim or others, and this is why parents need to get involved.
What To Do If Your Child Is Being Cyberbullied?
If your child is being cyberbullied, you want to take action immediately. Here are several tips to help your child get through the bullying:
Talk To Them:
Talk To Them:
Listen to your child as they share what happened and express their feelings. Remind your child that what happened to them was wrong, and they do not deserve to be treated unfairly. Stay calm during the discussion, but do not make excuses for their bully or minimize the situation.
Collect Evidence:
It is important to print, record or take screenshots of the cyberbullying, especially if you need to get the school or police involved. Your evidence should also include the location, frequency and severity of the bullying, as well as everyone who has taken part in or witnessed the situation.
Talk To Their Doctor:
Your child's wellness visitsare in place to check on their physical, mental and emotional health, so do not hesitate to bring up the cyberbullying to their pediatrician. They may have tips for dealing with the cyberbully, as well as recommendations of a therapist who can help your child work through their feelings.
What To Do If Your Child Is The Cyberbully?
It is never easy to find out your child is a cyberbully, but it is very important to take the situation seriously. Here are several tips for approaching the situation:
Keep Your Feelings Separate:
You are likely to feel a lot of negative emotions when you find out your child is a cyberbully. However, you need to keep those feelings separate when talking to your child about it. The discussion should focus on their thoughts, feelings and actions.
Talk To Their Doctor:
Remember, their wellness visitsare in place to ensure your child is healthy. If your child is a cyberbully, ask their pediatrician for advice on stopping the situation. You may find you need a therapist to help your child express their feelings.
Discuss The Situation:
There is a lot to consider when discussing the cyberbullying with your child, such as their age, maturity level and the length and extent of the cyberbullying. Be sure to ask your child for the full story of what happened. You can remind them that hurting others is not okay, but you should also listen without judgement.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to cyberbullying. Whether your child is the victim or cyberbully, use their wellness visitsto discuss the situation and next step with their pediatrician.