Signs Your Child May Be a Victim of Cyberbullying:
- Avoids or engages excessively in using the computer, cell phone, and other technological devices
- Appears stressed when receiving an e-mail, instant message, or text
- Withdraws from family and friends or acts reluctant to attend school and social events
- Avoids conversations about the use of electronics
- Exhibits signs of low self-esteem including depression or fear
- Declining grades
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
In order to combat cyberbullying, it’s important that you communicate with your child about ways to prevent it from reoccurring.
- If you see someone being bullied online, report it to a school authority immediately – refrain from liking or sharing it
- Avoid posting too much information about yourself or others online
- Don’t communicate with people who you don’t know
Use these discussion starters to get an Internet safety conversation going with your children.
Ask children:
- Ever been upset with someone online? How did you deal with it?
- Has someone ever sent you a mean message online? How did it make you feel?
- If you knew someone was being cyberbullied, what would you do?
- Do you know where to report cyberbullying on the websites and apps you use? Who would you talk to at school?
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