Hello Parents!
Our children are usually more tech-savvy than we are, and are much more knowledgeable about some types of internet activity. This could give us a false sense of security, prompting us to trust them to manage their social networking and other online activities well. But we need to ensure they aren’t subjected to cyber-bullying.
Cyberbullying can have devastating consequences for a teen or preteen. Since children tend to keep parents out of their social networking updates, it can be hard to discern what’s wrong. But look out for signs like lack of interest in other activities, anxiety after checking the internet, and a sudden desire to check the internet more frequently.
Cyberbullies could be from your child’s own circle of friends. They could post threatening or hate messages like “I’ll tell everyone about what you did on Thursday”, or send posts that depict your child in a negative light.
Other posts could include messages linking a child to a person of the opposite sex, or posting embarrassing photographs.
Preteens and teens are especially conscious of their social status and can be mortified by offensive posts.
By being prepared to deal with such issues, parents can prevent situations which could upset your child and make her unpopular and depressed.
Regardless of whether we are tech-smart or not, as parents we need to be prepared to make our children feel safe and protected. Cyber-bullying is as dangerous as physical bullying, and awareness of this new age danger can make all the difference!
