Blog

Blog

The Parents guide to Cyberbullying and How to stop it destroying your kid?

Despite everything cyberbullying continues to rise online - Social Media, Gaming and elsewhere
 

Bullying continues to grow in Schools and online in 2023 

Cyberbullying is online harassment or through digital communication. It usually involves the use of electronic devices, such as;

  • Smartphones
  • Computers
  • Tablets

In schools worldwide, Snapchat is the bully's favourite portal. A bush to hide behind and throw grenades at your friends or, even worse, your enemies. Bullying is the intention to humiliate, intimidate, or threaten someone else.

Cyberbullying can take many forms, including spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, publishing hurtful comments or messages, or creating fake profiles to impersonate someone else. Children and teenagers are vulnerable. Cyberbullying has serious consequences, including 

  • Depression, 
  • Anxiety, 
  • Low self-esteem, 
  • And even suicide. 

Learn to identify and report cyberbullying to prevent it from escalating and causing further harm. Check speaker availability

Friends, not Followers

According to Facebook owners of WhatsApp and Instagram have stated

  • If you have thousands of followers, you will get bullied.
  • Strangers are '7 times' more likely to be nasty to you than friends

We all like to be liked. That is human nature. Facebook is very clear about the dangers of chasing online popularity. It is very important to tell children there is a huge difference between real friends and followers. Followers are, in fact, strangers, people with no connection to you, who don't know you and who owe you nothing. Followers are 7 times more likely to bully you, hurt you, and feel no regret. Facebook has studied the analytics from their own data in Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and this is one of their major findings. For example, they 

Cyberbullying tactics will involve social media, chat apps or gaming platforms. Targeting a classmate in school and on social media is one of the favourite tactics of a bully. The bullying can start online, developing into face-to-face aggression, by which stage others may have joined in.

Cyberbully Tactics

  • Embarrassing pictures and videos.
  • Making hurtful comments, names or content online about someone's characteristics, race, religion or ethnicity.
  • Using social media anonymity or fake accounts to hide your real identity - Anonymity is the coward's weapon of choice.
  • Telling someone to kill themselves or threatening harm to a person using the internet or messaging.
     

The best Online Safety Talks for Parents, Schools and Businesses in the UK!

Jamie Mcdonald-Brown Twyford C of E High School, London

 

What Are the Effects of Cyberbullying?

Do not confront opposing parents.

Take a photo of the evidence.

Report to School, Police.

Consider taking the child offline for a few weeks.

Usually, the first person who comes to mind is the culprit.

Someone famous in Source Title

The targeted individual endure nasty, hateful messages or comments whenever using the internet, and feelings of isolation and confinement are usually exacerbated.

Despite everything cyberbullying continues to rise online - Social Media, Gaming and elsewhere

 

Gaming Portals - License to Bully

There is an alarming increase in gaming portals. Bullys feel safe bullying on games as so many parents don't understand the gaming world at all. This applies especially to public gaming servers, where millions of young gamers head to play against adults in a battle to the end. Kids will tell you that the atmosphere is deadly and toxic, language is vile, racist, misogynistic, and inappropriate. 

Kids quickly improve to server level and want to test themselves against the best gamers. The best part is that their parents think they are safely gaming and chatting with their mates. 

Schools and the police are more familiar with social media-based bullying like Snapchat. Parents ought to try playing the games for fun. The games are brilliantly designed and imaginative.

Tips for gaming - When a child is being hassled 

1. Report the Player - Always report the player
2. Leave the game 
3. Start a new game with your friends 
4. If an unwanted stranger joins, tell him to get lost 

No Headphones - text only- Ignore Kid's protests.
No In-App purchasing
Delete all credit cards in the browser
Solid rules about time limit, game suitability and Public Servers
Once a week, chats about games

Try them yourself

Extra time is a privilege, not a right - Make Kids ask for extra time
Call of Duty & Grand Theft Auto are X-rated.

Some of the impacts of cyberbullying on Young People

  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Appetite issues
  • Depression 
  • Academic performance
  • Fear
  • Loneliness
  • Headaches
  • Insecurity
  • Skipping class or refusing to go to school
  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • Sleeping issues
  • Wanting to change schools 
  • Complete social withdrawal

 

Handy Connections 

Check Speaker Availability 

Social Media Profile for Kids

Try out NordVPN - Great for Gamers Nord VPN

Articles of Interest

Articles, Links &connections from the Internet Safety Talks site you might find interesting

  1. Is YouTube still safe for kids in 2023
  2. Loot Boxes - What are Loot Boxes & why are they so dangerous? 
  3. Five Things a kid must never share 5 Things
  4. TikTok Safety for Kids - TikTok Safety 
  5. Rules for 5 - 8 year-olds online 5 - 8 Years
  6.  AI Kiddy porn is now a thing  First AI Kiddy porn is here already 
Comments are closed for this post, but if you have spotted an error or have additional info that you think should be in this post, feel free to contact us.

Subscribe For Free

Get the latest updates in your email box automatically.

Search

Archive