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How Can Parents Help Their Children Handle Cyberbullying?

In Pakistan, people very seldom take a problem seriously until it becomes too serious and dangerous to be ignored. This is also the case with cyberbullying: it is happening at every level and in every possible form, but no steps have been taken by the government or other social platforms. However, it is primarily the duty of parents to help their children handle cyberbullying. Here are a few tips for parents to help their children fight against cyberbullying in an effective manner.

Don’t ignore the reality of cyberbullying.

cyberbullying and teens

Parents need to recognize it as a potential risk for their young children and teach them the skills necessary to ensure their safety in the cyber world. Online risks have increased with the recent onslaught of smart phones, where bullying can take place 24/7.

Talk about cyberbullying with your child when he starts using the internet or a mobile phone.

It is very important that your child be informed about the dangers hidden in the virtual world. Being aware of this sort of criminal activity will prepare your child to fight against online bullying. Tell your child what form this bullying can take and how it can harm him. Emphasize that if anything happens to him, he should let you know. Make sure he knows that you are always there to help him if he feels threatened. This very basic step is the most important requirement for creating a safe cyber world for your young children.

how to stop cyberbullying

Tell your youngster to draw a line between her private and social life.

It is very important to teach your youngster that it is not necessary to post everything she feels, every place she visits, and everything she eats online. This kind of running commentary gives crucial information to online bullies.

Tell your child not to meet his virtual friends in person.

There are so many stories reported about predators who win a youngster’s trust and then force him to meet in person. Explain this scenario to your child so that he will recognize it if it happens and can report it to you.

Tell your child to ignore insulting messages or emails.

Cyberbullying

Tweens and teens are very emotional and aggressive. They assume it’s their responsibility to respond to everything they hear or read. They are easily provoked, which is exactly what bullies want. Teach your child not to respond when she feels uncomfortable because emotional reactions can trigger bullying. Assure her that you are available to talk through and tackle any issues that she has.

Tell your child to block and delete such accounts.

Additionally, report the accounts as an abuse. This action is an important first step to protect your child.

Tell your children not to add any unknown people to their friends lists.

Between the ages of nine and nineteen, making friends and socializing becomes almost an obsession. Kids of these ages make friends with so many people because they want to be known and recognized. Strangers often send friend requests to people they don’t personally know. Ask your child to be cautious about such requests and to reject them outright because many of them come from fake accounts.

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Don’t threaten to take away your child’s mobile phone, tablet or laptop.

Once your child has started using these devices, don’t threaten to take them back. This threat would backfire and become a primary reason for your child to hide an uncomfortable incident from you.

Staying calm can make your young child cybersmart.

If your child tells you about a bullying incident, stay calm. Don’t react by saying, ‘Didn’t I tell you not to use face book? You are too young for that!’ or, ‘I always knew this kind of thing would happen as you are stupid and other people are very clever!’ This will embarrass your child and he will feel unsafe with you. If you respond logically and sympathetically, you can help your child to be cybersmart.

stop-bullying

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