ONLINE BULLYING

How Can Parents Protect Children?

The internet is a wonderful place for children to learn about the world beyond the classroom. But what if it becomes a weapon for bullying and negativity?

We live in an information age. Never before did mankind have the ability to obtain new knowledge and information with the snap of a finger. Growing up in this era of technology is a double-edged sword that has both benefits and hidden dangers. With cyberbullying on the rise, how can students and parents deal with the ugly side of the internet, and the fear, anxiety, and depression that might follow?

It is common for children today to surf the net and have their own social media accounts. These platforms on their own, are harmless and even beneficial for keeping in touch with friends. However, it can also be used by online bullies as a weapon for inflicting pain. Teenagers are at a stage where they value how they are perceived by their peers, taking great pains to select photos and posts that they feel may boost their social standing. Cyberbullies aim to tarnish a person’s social standing by making rude comments or even attacking their appearance or reputation. Some children suffer extensive emotional trauma when faced with such negativity from cyberbullies on a regular basis.

More often than not, a child is poorly equipped to handle the stress alone. As an educator or parent, one of the first signs to look out for is if the child appears withdrawn, loses interest in almost all activities, and behaves in an anti-social manner.

One way parents can prevent such online risk is to spend more time speaking to their child.

A growing child desires social interaction and acceptance, which is often why they turn to social media. Once we determine that a child is being bullied, it is important to first explain to the child that retaliating by responding with rude comments is never the way to resolve conflicts. Speak with the child and provide assurance, then advise the child to delete such comments if possible. It is also crucial to maintain regular communication with the child and rid her of any insecurities that may have developed from the bullying. Acceptance comes primarily from yourself, and it is important for children to learn to deal with negativity by staying calm and be aware that these comments are more a reflection of its perpetrators than it is about them.

The onus is on parents to be active participants in a child’s life. It pays to know the friends they mix with and help them understand that not everyone will see eye to eye with them in life. Even so, it is no reason to discredit yourself and what matters is how you respond to such criticism. Their reaction to the circumstances they are caught in and the challenges that they are dealt with are far more crucial for winners in life.