Our parenting skills have to be taken to another level now that we live in an age where bullies can verbally abuse our kids in the safety of their own bedroom. We want to raise kids who know how to speak up for themselves and for others. Kids who don’t simply ignore cyberbullying when they see it and kids who know how to take action in the right way.
There is a way of raising kids who are Digital Avengers and the following seven tips will help you to do this.
Teach them not to be passive: Your kids have to learn that ignoring cyberbullying is another way of encouraging a bully and making the victim feel worse. 90% of teens have admitted to ignoring cyberbullying when they see it. Don’t let your kids be passive towards this social issue.
Teach them to shut down the bully: Your kids should know that they can help in the fight against cyberbullying and reporting posts to the social site in question or to an adult is one way of shutting down the bully.
Teach them not to participate: They may not be the ones bullying the victim directly but by sharing, liking or commenting on the post, your kids are still participating in cyberbullying and encouraging the bully to do more.
Teach them to speak up: Cyberbullying is not something that can be fought by one person alone. Teach your kids to turn to adults they trust and to tell them if they are being cyberbullied or if they know of someone who is.
Teach them to gather evidence: Cyberbullies can be caught or at least shut down faster if there is evidence. Teach your kids to save media likes images, emails and texts that adults can use to stop the bully.
Teach them about privacy: No matter how much they trust a person, your kids have to learn that certain data like passwords or inappropriate content of themselves should never be shared with others online as they can be used against them.
Teach them how to console the victims: From text messages to a note on social media, your kids’ kind words to a victim of cyberbullying can be the encouragement the victim needs to feel hopeful and less lonely. Teach your kids the power of words and encourage them to reach out to victims privately whenever it is possible.
Teach them to shut down the bully: Your kids should know that they can help in the fight against cyberbullying and reporting posts to the social site in question or to an adult is one way of shutting down the bully.
Teach them not to participate: They may not be the ones bullying the victim directly but by sharing, liking or commenting on the post, your kids are still participating in cyberbullying and encouraging the bully to do more.
Teach them to speak up: Cyberbullying is not something that can be fought by one person alone. Teach your kids to turn to adults they trust and to tell them if they are being cyberbullied or if they know of someone who is.
Teach them to gather evidence: Cyberbullies can be caught or at least shut down faster if there is evidence. Teach your kids to save media likes images, emails and texts that adults can use to stop the bully.
Also, be sure to check out a great infographic on cyberbullying HERE!!!!!
