Cyber Bullying…It is on the rise
Sadly, I heard about a young boy, only 12, who took his own life yesterday. His reason…he was being bullied online. At only 12 years of age. TWELVE! Do you get the picture here? When I was 12 I was playing kick the can and reading Teen Bop crushing on the latest heartthrob. Now kids are getting cell phones younger and younger.
Some parents are fine with it. For technology has become the instant babysitter. I just need a nap so sure you can get on youtube, I just need to finish this project…sure you can have a Facebook account, I have worked all day and want to chill in front of the television so go ahead and do some gaming. There has been a huge increase in people going on the internet recently, partly because it can form that escape that people need. For the parent with the popular kid, you have given them a whole new world to be popular in. To the kid who is already having a hard time of it, you have just opened the gates of hell.
Adults are guilty too…
Adults are guilty of online bullying too. I can’t tell you how many times I have left a snide remark or said my peace under the umbrella of anonymity. Easy to do. I love to stir up the internet trolls with my somewhat conservative look on life. As an adult, I can turn it off. My identity is not wrapped up in my social media actions. I may leave a snippy comment on a Yahoo article about some idiot doing something outrageous and have haters clap back. No skin off my nose. My life is still pretty great and I can honestly say I do not care what people think of me. Now, as I said, I don’t care. I’m an adult, I know how to let it slide off of me like water off a duck’s back.
Kids, however…
Picture an 11 or 12-year-old boy or girl. One who already struggles in the real world. There is such a strong desire to connect and make friends that they reach out into the vast world of “online.” Which opens them up for many forms of bullying.
Cyberbullying Tactics
It is important to understand how children are cyberbullied so it can be easily recognized and action can be taken. Some of the most common cyberbullying tactics include:
- Posting comments or rumors about someone online that are mean, hurtful, or embarrassing.
- Threatening to hurt someone or telling them to kill themselves.
- Posting a mean or hurtful picture or video.
- Pretending to be someone else online in order to solicit or post personal or false information about someone else.
- Posting mean or hateful names, comments, or content about any race, religion or other personal characteristics online.
- Creating a mean or hurtful webpage about someone.
- Doxing, an abbreviated form of the word documents, is a form of online harassment used to exact revenge and to threaten and destroy the privacy of individuals by making their personal information public, including addresses, social security, credit card and phone numbers, links to social media accounts, and other private data.
As a parent…
As a parent, you need to be the bag guy. If your child is engaged on social media sites you need to be active in monitoring their activity. Some may disagree but teens and preteens DO NOT DESERVE PRIVACY! They need to understand that at any time you can take their phone and log in to all their sites and review their activity. If they don’t agree then they should not have a phone.
- Monitor a teen’s social media sites, apps, and browsing history.
- Review the privacy settings on your child’s phone.
- Follow or friend your teen on social media sites or have another trusted adult do so.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest apps, social media platforms, and digital slang used by children and teens.
- Know your child’s usernames and passwords for email and social media.
- Set rules about appropriate digital behavior, content, and apps.
- Be present and active in your kid’s online life.
Report Cyberbullying
When cyberbullying happens, it is important to document and report the behavior so it can be addressed.
Steps to Take Immediately
- Don’t respond to and don’t forward cyberbullying messages.
- Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates, times, and descriptions of instances when cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, emails, and text messages, these can be verified later by Photo and Video Forensic Experts to help identify the culprit. Use this evidence to report cyberbullying to web and cell phone service providers.
- Block the person who is cyberbullying.
Report Cyberbullying to Online Service Providers
Cyberbullying often violates the terms of service established by social media sites and internet service providers.
- Review their terms and conditions or rights and responsibilities sections. These describe content that is or is not appropriate.
- Visit social media safety centers to learn how to block users and change settings to control who can contact you.
- Report cyberbullying to the social media site so they can take action against users abusing the terms of service.
Report Cyberbullying to Law Enforcement
When cyberbullying involves these activities it is considered a crime and should be reported to law enforcement.
- Threats of violence
- Child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos
- Taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect privacy
- Stalking and hate crimes
Report Cyberbullying to Schools
- Cyberbullying can create a disruptive environment at school and is often related to in-person bullying. The school can use the information to help inform prevention and response strategies.
- In many states, schools are required to address cyberbullying in their anti-bullying policy. Some state laws also cover off-campus behavior that creates a hostile school environment.
- Do not take NO for an answer. Advocate for your child!
If you know your child is being a bully online STOP IT AT ONCE! This is not something to be proud of. Children are being charged with felonies after suicide from bullying.
Resources found at Stopbullying.gov
There was always bullying , but internet unfortunately brings that kind of a behavior to another level .
This thing happens way too often , i don’t blame kids, they are just kids , they don’t know any better. I blame irresponsible parents
Parents are to busy with their work and leave kids to take care of themselves , can’t end good
It is part of my job to deal with the aftermath of cyber bullying…. It is usually to late by the time I see them…you never know when your time with them is over!! Tell them you love them everyday and don’t be afraid to hug your kids! Even if they try to pull away…. Being hugged is very powerful! I often hear from people that they”didn’t get to say I love you” one last time…. Don’t have that regret!
Cyber bullying is the most cowardly act there is fine from behind a screen the effects can be devastating I believe in talking to my children about this regularly great post Thanks for linking to #Thatfridaylinky hope to see you next week
Bullies are often cowards and hurting themselves, to bully is to deflect attention off yourself. Cyber bullying make this act so easy…too easy, I personally never leave any bad comment and often try to diffuse tension with humour, children don’t have the skills to do this yet and are so vulnerable. It scares me.
Such a scary subject but one we do need to discuss with the kids , though as you say adults can be as bad sometimes!! #blogcrush
Isn’t it sad that a child’s home is no longer a refuge from playground or neighborhood bullies? The Internet is the new playground, and there are no off-hours.
This generation has 24/7 access to internet. It is in their pockets at a simple touch. Crazy!
This is definitely something that us parents need to be super-aware of. Bullying is around, whether online or off. A bully will bully – no matter where. But I do think that social media can give them a helping hand in the worst possible way. I’m sure I’ll be the mum following mine on every social media platform on the planet… with push notifications. I agree about privacy too. Whilst there has to be trust, there should also an open door (or password policy) for if things go wrong. Thanks for joining us for the #dreamteam x
I think the “training” needs to start young. Kids have access to media so much sooner than just a few years ago. Train them how to handle it so when they get older it is not overwhelming.
Cyber bulling has made it easier and possibly more tempting to kids to bully each other. It takes concerted effort from parents to ensure as much as possible their kids are being bullied or being a bully. But as you noted, the smartphone has become a babysitter of sorts, replacing the TV to keep kids occupied while the parent is busy. I see on a local FB group the ways some parents are keeping it under control, many rules, etc., although kids being bullied may be too embarrassed or ashamed to tell even their parents, and don’t want their parent to notify anyone that they’d feel mortified in front of their peers. It has become very troublesome the extent bullying is tolerated and not dealt with, too, by professionals – not all, of course, and thankful for the ones that nip it in the bud.
to ensure their kids “aren’t” being bullied or are bullies – woops – typo!
It is crazy how much access kids have at such a young age. Kids chat all day long but are isolated! Crazy.
Oh yes , cyber bulling is becoming a menace in today’s world and it will just become more and more issue with time
Cyber bullying is very serious stuff indeed . Just recently unfortunately had run into that issue when a daughter of one Youtuber that i follow committed suicide . Nobody knows why , but regular culprits are insecurity coupled with low self esteem . She was also prominent on social media and received i am sure fair dose of weirdos and nasty comments