![\"help](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/HelpWithCyberbullying-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHoward\u2019s case isn\u2019t unusual. Almost a third of teens have experienced cyberbullying, and the problem seems to be getting worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One study by L1ght analysed millions of websites and social platforms in 2020. They found a 70% increase in bullying and abusive language among teens and kids on social media and chat forums, a 40% increase in toxicity on gaming platforms, and a 200% spike in traffic to hate sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always had problems with bullying,\u201d Howard says. \u201cBut it looks different now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victims of cyberbullying are at risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, low self-esteem, poor school performance, and an increased risk of suicidal behaviour. In addition, information posted online is difficult to erase and can affect future school and job prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s how to recognise, respond to, prevent and help with cyberbullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recognise cyberbullying warning signs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cyberbullying can be hard to spot since it\u2019s not always on public display. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common tactics include posting mean comments; spreading rumours on social media; threatening to harm someone, telling someone to hurt themselves, posting embarrassing photos or videos; doxing (sharing private data like addresses and phone numbers); or posting hate speech related to a person\u2019s race, religion, or sexual orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Family medicine physician Farah Khan says parents should look for changes in their child\u2019s typical behaviour, including worsening grades, changes in sleep or appetite, depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The effects of cyberbullying can look very similar to depression, says Megan Moreno, the principal investigator of the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A child might disengage from friends and family, not come out of their room, obsessively look at their phone or computer, or become secretive about what they\u2019re doing online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreno says it\u2019s crucial to check in regularly and ask open-ended questions about what they\u2019re doing online and how it makes them feel. Think questions like \u201cHow was your Roblox <\/em>game? Did you see anything on social media that upset you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If parents are concerned that their child is being bullied, Moreno says the best strategy is to be upfront about what you see. (\u201cIt seems like you\u2019re staying up later, and I\u2019ve noticed that you\u2019re tired during the day. Do you want to talk about what\u2019s going on?\u201d) <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if kids aren\u2019t opening up to the parent, try enlisting other adult role models they might feel comfortable with, like another family member, their teacher or a counsellor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a child discloses a bullying incident, don\u2019t panic. Parents should get the facts, reassure the child, and work with them on problem-solving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA lot of people have been through something like this,\u201d Howard says. \u201cIt can be comforting to know you\u2019re not the only one and to get some advice from someone who you think is a little more current.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Howard also encourages kids to spend as much time as possible with people who are nice to them and doing activities they enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n Though it might seem tempting, don\u2019t look to taking away their devices as a solution. \u201cThey\u2019re already at risk of depression, so taking away their phone is not recommended,\u201d Howard says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the child can avoid the person who is bullying \u2013 for example, by blocking them on social media \u2013 Howard says the parent doesn\u2019t necessarily need to intervene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But if the child can\u2019t escape the situation and it\u2019s interfering with their lives, it\u2019s time for parents to get involved, especially if it involves school peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Howard recommends asking the child if you can talk to their teacher in a way that respects their privacy, or asking if they want to talk to the teacher together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Howard notes that kids who are bullying others also need help. They tend to be more irritable and may come across as arrogant, less cooperative with household rules, or treat their own parents poorly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re having a hard time with behavioural problems with your child, you can say, \u2018Do you treat others like this? What are your friendships like? Because this isn\u2019t okay to do to other people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether a child is being bullied or bullying others, Howard recommends talking to a GP or therapist if they\u2019re experiencing high levels of impairment, emotional distress, or acting out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Khan says one of the best ways to help kids navigate bullying is to teach safe online behaviour and promote resilience through a healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to encouraging a healthy diet, physical exercise and sleep hygiene to keep kids feeling good, Khan says parents should establish rules about responsible online activity. This includes telling them not to share personal information, click unknown links, take explicit photos, talk to strangers, or post mean comments. Parents can also praise prosocial values, like tolerance and respect for others\u2019 differences.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cAsk meaningful questions about their online experiences. Let them know that it\u2019s safe for them to be open with you, and remind them that they won\u2019t lose online privileges for doing so,\u201d she says. Think about open questions like \u2013 \u201cI noticed you\u2019re spending a lot of time on TikTok. How is that going? Are kids being nice to each other?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Howard says parents should also monitor what kids are reading and sharing online, especially if they\u2019ve decided to allow kids under 13 to be on social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be honest and tell them when you\u2019re using parental controls or software monitoring to look at their online activity. \u201cThey know that you\u2019re periodically looking, so they learn early on that \u2018I have to post as if someone I care about is going to see it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, parents should empower their kids to be good upstanders and discuss intervention strategies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have found that bystanders can play an important role in bullying outcomes. One study found that in 57% of cases where a bystander intervened, the bullying stopped within 10 seconds. Kids who are defended by their peers are also less depressed and anxious<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a child sees bullying in real-time, they can intervene by questioning the behaviour, changing the subject, diffusing the situation through humour, making positive statements about the target of the bullying, and reaching out to them privately to let them know they\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids can also help prevent bullying from happening by being kind and inclusive to others. But they should talk to a trusted adult when they\u2019re concerned about someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmpower kids to be upstanders and praise them for positive behaviour,\u201d Howard says. \u201cThere can be a lot of pride in doing the right thing and standing up for what you believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat to do if you think your child is being cyberbullied<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Talk it out<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"help](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/HelpWithCyberbullying-3.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTake action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What if your kid’s the bully?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How parents can help prevent cyberbullying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"help](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/HelpWithCyberbullying-4.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow kids can stand up and help with cyberbullying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Looking for more advice to help with cyberbullying? Visit the <\/strong>Young Minds<\/strong><\/a> or <\/strong>UK Safer Internet Centre<\/strong><\/a> websites.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Written by Gulnaz Khan. Image credits: girl with computer \u00a9 First Glimpse Photography \/ Shutterstock.<\/strong> All others \u00a9 Adobe Stock. <\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"