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.
Being the parent of a child on the aggressive end of cyberbullying is something that must be taken seriously. Here are some signs that indicate that 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. Often, children are more aware of what is happening online than their parents. It's vital to remain alert about the latest and greatest things in your child’s life if you want to come across as relevant to them, and keep them and those they interact with safe.
Learn about the online games they play and the apps they use to communicate. Talk to your child about what they are involved in, and stay aware of the latest cyber trends.
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, and study how your child interacts with others online. If it seems that your child is aggressive in their communications with others, is using foul language directed at others, or mocking them, you need to bring up the conversation with your child about their tendencies to behave like a bully.
If you come across evidence that your child is bullying someone, take it seriously and deal with it immediately.
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, make it known to your family that all online activities are subject to being viewed by parents at any time. This will prevent an erosion of 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, and will pick up on abusive dialogue which will then be reported to you.
Keep an Open Dialogue with Your Child
Hopefully from the time your child was very young, you have been keeping an open dialogue with them about all areas of their lives. As they get older, this includes online activities. Talk about cyberbullying and its dangers. Ask them if they have ever been a victim of it, or if they have felt they were ever bullying someone.
If you can maintain your composure while you engage in this conversation, your child may feel more able to open up to you about it.
Cyberbullying is a huge issue today. There is great freedom of the internet and many ways in which a person can use their electronic devices. This gives the opportunity for bullies to escape consequences for their actions, and causes dangerous growth in the epidemic of cyberbullying.
It is not easy to find out if your child is a cyberbully or to handle the information once you have acquired it, but it is necessary to work together to put a stop to it. By being a vigilant parent and making yourself aware of any cyberbullying your child may be engaging in, you are making the world a better and safer place for all.
How to Discuss Internet Safety with Your Teen
With the internet being so easily accessible in modern times, teens have a lot of pressures to face. The internet can be a wonderful place to discover new things, and it can also be a place filled with dangers. By discussing internet safety openly with your teen, you can help them navigate the internet world with awareness and care.
Talk about the Benefits
As you bring up the subject of internet safety with your teen, come from the perspective of the internet having many benefits. This will help your teen to realise that you are not simply being negative about one of the most important parts of their life. Teens nowadays use the internet for anything from gaming to meeting friends. Let your teen know that you realise that the internet has a lot of benefits, and that you are on their side.
Encourage them to use the internet for things they may not use it for already, such as job searches, school reports and information research. This will help your teen open their eyes to new aspects of the internet so that they can use it more fully.
Talk about the Dangers
Although the internet is wonderful in many ways, it holds many dangers. Be honest and upfront with your teen about the dangers of the internet, and give them real-life examples of things that can go wrong, such as stolen identities and young people who have been harmed.
Help your teen navigate the right and wrong way to use the internet. Talk to them about the importance of keeping their real names off of the internet, not messaging with strangers, and never agreeing to meet a stranger in person.
Be Non-Confrontational
If you approach the issue from a negative place, your teen will likely write off your concerns and all your valuable wisdom on the topic. If you want to help shape your teen’s thoughts in regards to the internet, be positive and encouraging while you talk it over with them.
Ask for your teen’s opinions and thoughts on the matter. Often when we give our young people a chance to talk, we will be surprised at their wisdom on matters. Ask your teen for their own suggestions on how to safely use their computer and smartphone apps, and how you can safely monitor their internet use. Your child can be a wealth of wisdom and lead you to consider a perspective you may not have thought of otherwise.
Let Them Know They Are Accountable
Never be afraid to monitor your child’s internet use. Don’t be sneaky about it, however, or you will quickly lose their trust. Let your teen know that their internet use is open to your eyes.
Depending on the age of your teen, tell them that you require the password of their email and other personal accounts, and inform them that you will be checking it regularly. This way it will not be deceptive on your part, and there will be no surprises that can break your child’s trust.
Internet safety can feel like a headache when you first begin setting boundaries and having discussions, but it will soon be just like any other part of parenting. Internet use is a part of our culture that is not going away anytime soon. With a little knowledge and a lot of communication, you can make internet safety a team effort between you and your teen.
