Cyberbullying
FOR THE PARENTS OF A CYBERBULLYING VICTIM.
​
If a parent becomes aware that their child is a victim of cyberbullying, the initial response should be supportive, not accusatory. This is especially true if the child told their parent on their own.
​
​
FOR THE PARENTS OF THE CYBERBULLY.
​
If a parent becomes aware of the possibility that their child has bullied someone online or otherwise, it is important to not overreact and become defensive. Not every allegation is true; rarely are allegations completely false.
​
​
​Do not react impulsively and emotionally and never confront the accused bully!
​
Parents should begin with their own threat assessment including a complete review of the situation by conducting an investigation consisting of in-person and online queries. Ask lots of questions in a cautious and supportive manner so that your child will feel free to share facts honestly, and so that trust crucial to maintaining solid relationships is not jeopardized. Save and/or print original texts, conversations, videos, etc.
​
To avoid potential confrontation or difficulties with face-to-face communication, the parents of a true victim can present allegations in writing, including copies of any saved evidence, and send this information to the parents of bullies in a way that asks for their assistance in stopping the cyberbullying.
​
School officials may also be of assistance for communicating with parents if bullying is connected even indirectly to school activities. And, depending on the response provided by a parent whose child has been shown to be a bully, law enforcement can also be contacted merely as a means to officially document the problem, even if no investigation is warranted or desired.
​
In reality, a cyberbullying situation may involve a simple misunderstanding, a benign case of teasing, an embarrassing event, or something more serious like a threatening, abusive, humiliating, or ongoing situation. If potential danger exists, school and/or law enforcement authorities should be contacted (McQuade, Colt, & Meyer, 2009, p. 133-137).
​
​
​If the allegations are coming from a school official or another parent, parents of accused bullies should listen to the allegations and ask to review any evidence before responding with anything other than reasonable concern for all children who may be involved. Certainly evidence must be considered before parents of accused bullies commit to a course of action.
​
If an admission of cyberbullying is coming from a child it is necessary to dig deeper to understand the situation and its root causes. If allegations are found to be true, then the cyberbully must be held accountable for their actions through appropriate disciplinary measures. They must also be informed of potential involvement of police or lawsuits, while at the same time being educated as to how their actions have hurt or otherwise impacted others at school, in the community, and even online friends in cyberspace.
​
It is one thing to be disappointed in one's child, and quite another thing to abandon them because they erred in judgment, which all kids are prone to do.
​
The seriousness of harm caused, and whether school officials or law enforcement are compelled to become involved, are useful guides to meting out appropriate levels of punishment and future supervision. The worst thing a parent can do is make a bad situation worse by overreacting, not taking appropriate action, or betraying the trust of a child by abandoning their parental responsibilities (McQuade, Colt, & Meyer, 2009, p. 137-138).
​
​Some examples of ways kids bully online are ("Cyberbullying," n.d.):
- Sending someone mean or threatening emails, instant messages, or text messages
- Excluding someone from an instant messenger buddy list or blocking their email for no reason
- Tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sending it to others
- Breaking into someone's email or instant message account to send cruel or untrue messages while posing as that person
- Creating websites to make fun of another person such as a classmate or teacher
- Using websites to rate peers as prettiest, ugliest, etc.
Kids who are cyberbullied are more likely to ("Cyberbullying," 2012):
- Use alcohol and drugs
- Skip school
- Experience in-person bullying
- Be unwilling to attend school
- Receive poor grades
- ​Have lower self-esteem
- ​Have more health problems and are at a higher risk for suicide
WHAT IS CYBERBULLYING
WHAT IS CYBERBULLYING?
​
​
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. This includes computers, cell phones, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites ("Cyberbullying," 2012).
​
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CYBERBULLYING?
​
​Cell phones and computers themselves are not to blame for cyberbullying. Social media sites can be used for positive activities, like connecting kids with friends and family, helping students with school, and for entertainment. But these tools can also be used to hurt other people. Whether done in person or through technology, the effects of bullying are similar.
