Cyber bullying is your child a Victim or a Bully
Does your child appear to be nervous when they receive an email?
Does your child not want to go to school?
Has your child stopped going out with friends?
Is your child ever angry, upset when they get off their computer?
Never talks about what they are doing on the computer?
Suddenly stop using the computer altogether?
Cyber - others is your Child a Bully
Close screens when you come into the room.
Spends all night on the computer.
Talks and laughs a lot while on his or her computer.
You find they are using several accounts while on line.
Never tells you what they are doing or who they are talking to on line.
Any one of these can me many things. While most teens can act like this just being a teenager would show any one of theses signs. Most important is that you check them out before it is to late.
Cyber bullies sometimes, but not always, know their victims in real life. Cyber victimization has been shown to cause poor grades, emotional spirals, poor self-esteem, repeated school absences, depression, and in some cases suicide.
One in ten young people between the ages of 8 and 15 have been cyber bullied. According to a recent survey, 42% of children have been cyber bullied and 35% have been threatened online. Photos sent through e-mail and cell phones.
Cyber bullies send nude or degrading photos that have been altered or taken in locker rooms, dressing rooms or bathrooms, which are instantly circulated to countless others.
Parents
Parents need to discuss cyber bullying with their children as part of their regular discussions about Internet Safety and appropriate use of technologies.
Parents can make it clear that using the Internet or cellular phones to embarrass or hurt others’ feelings is not part of their family values.
Parents should discuss bystander behavior as well, encouraging children to speak out
against cyber bullying they witness and to report it to the appropriate person.
Parents should instruct children to be respectful of others online, establish rules of etiquette, monitor computer use and have an ongoing conversation with their children about online activities.
You may think your child tells you everything but teens sometimes will not talk about this they sometimes think it is their fault. Pay close attention to your child and his or her behavior, it could be the most improtant thing you do to protect them.
Please feel free to leave a comment
Have a Safe & Secure Day