Cyberbullying can be hard to spot. That’s why it’s even more important to stay aware of kids’ online activity and monitor their interactions when possible. If you notice warning signs that a child could be involved in cyberbullying, here are the steps you can take:
Don’t respond to any cyberbullying messages or forward them. Keep all evidence of cyberbullying. Take screenshots of each instance of cyberbullying and document the date and time that they happened. Block the person who is cyberbullying. Report the cyberbullying behavior to teachers or even the police depending upon the circumstances. Support the person who is being bullied. You can try to help by posting positive comments about the person being bullied, reaching out to the person who’s bullying to show your concern, and if possible, trying to determine if more support is needed, like a guidance counselor or mental health professional.
Parents and teachers, you can do your part to help stop cyberbullying by looking out for bullying behavior online. If you see someone being cyberbullied, don’t be afraid to stand up to the person cyberbullying and show them that what they’re doing is not okay. Together, we can help make social media a more positive environment.