Cyber Safety expert Susan McLean describes cyber-bulllying in the following terms:

“cyber-bullying can be described as any harassment, insults and humiliation that occurs through the electronic mediums such as email, mobile phones, social networking sites, instant messaging programs, chat rooms, web sites and through the playing of online games.”

What you can do to help a child who is being cyber bullied.

  • Do not get angry with your child – remember they are the victim and it is someone else doing the wrong thing.
  • Praise them for coming to you – this is a big step as most children are frightened to tell a parent about cyber-bullying.
  • Save and store the emails, chat logs or SMS’s in case of police investigation.
  • Help your child to block and delete the bully from all contact lists.
  • Do not respond to nasty emails, chats, SMS’s or comments – this is what the bully wants so ignore them. (They will need your help to do this)
  • Use the ‘report abuse’ button which all websites/applications have. Tell them the problems you are having and they are obligated to investigate.
  • Have some ‘down time’ without computer or mobile (do not do this as punishment, rather as some peaceful time where they are not being bothered)
  • If unwanted contact continues, consider deleting emails, msn, hotmail etc and start a new account. Only give your details to a small list of trusted friends.
  • Get a new phone number if being harassed on your phone. Report the problem to your phone company and insist on a new number for free.
  • Inform your child’s school. It is important that they know what is going on so that they can monitor any issues at school, and
  • If ongoing report to the police. Each state has laws that prohibit online bullying and stalking. You don’t have to put up with it.

For more information go to Cybersafetysolutions.

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: Susan McLean – Cybersafetysolutions