Cyber Bullying: Prevention

Preventing cyberbullying is a matter of awareness and response: knowing what children are doing and how they are vulnerable, then helping them learn to respond when their well-being is threatened by bullies, trolls, and other dangerous users online. If a child is expressing anger or anxiety after going online, it might be one of the signs he/she is being cyberbullied.

Cyberbullying is becoming a burning issue both for parents and teachers. While statistics vary from study to study, it’s generally true that children are spending more time than ever ‘online.’ In fact, some students may spend more time online than offline, which means they might be more likely to be bullied through words on a screen than in a school hallway or bathroom.

The effect of cyberbullying are similar to traditional bullying but traditional bullying stops when the school ends; for online bullying, there is almost no escape. Unfortunately, many kids torment and harass each other using internet apps and social media channels.

Surprising Cyberbullying Statistics:

1. 5% of children admit they have experienced bullying online.
2. More than 40% say they have become a bully’s exclusive target.
3. 70% admit they have witnessed cyberbullying.
4. 50% of children admit to being scared of their online bullies.
5. 92% of cyberbullying attacks are held through chatting and commenting on social media websites.
6. Cyberbullying victims are 3 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide.
7. Only 2 in 10 victims will inform their parents or teachers of online attacks.

Ways To Prevent Cyberbullying:

• Establish a climate of communication with your child
• Define it
• Give them strategies to respond
• Use celebrity card
• Monitor online activity
• Know the apps and platforms
• Engage parents and youth
• Emphasize positivity
• Remember the big idea