Cyberbullying on the Rise: Protect Your Kids from Online Predators

STICKS AND STONES may break bones, but words can hurt too.

Cyberbullying is not only a physical form, but it is emotional too. Several cases have been heard in the recent months about cyberbullying such as posting a threat against someone on the website, posting embarrassing videos of someone on Facebook or other social media platform, pretending as someone else on the web to trick someone, spreading rumors about someone via text messages, etc. Therefore, October being the National Bullying Prevention Month, parents should take extra time to make sure their children are staying safe at school and on social media.

What to do if you are being cyberbullied?

• Trust an adult and tell them what all is going with you.
• Save the evidence. Never delete harassing emails, text messages, videos, etc.
• Never forward such messages which spread rumors against you or someone else.
• Remember that if someone bullies you, never give him or her power over you because your reaction is usually what the bully wants.

When surveyed, 81 percent of youth say that usually teenagers are cyberbullied because it is no big deal. Other reasons are as follows:

• They don’t think about the consequences.
• They are encouraged by friends.
• They think everybody cyberbullies.
• They think they won’t get caught.

Remember: Cyberbullying is a big deal and, moreover, it’s wrong.

How to Prevent Cyberbullying?

• Talk to someone whom you trust the most and the one you know has been cyberbullied.
• Start an anti-bullying program in your community to educate your peers that cyberbullying is hurtful and wrong.
• Start an anti-bullying pledge in your community where children, especially teenagers should take a pledge not to bully others and to speak up if they know someone who is being bullied.
• Raise awareness of the cyberbullying problem in your community.

Now, let’s have a look at the top tips that cyber mentors recommend about cyberbullying-

• Never share your personalized information such as your address, your email address or be it your mobile number.
• Never let anyone have access to your passwords, not even your loved ones. Keep a check on your online privacy settings of accounts like Facebook and make sure you know how to keep your personal information private.

• Think carefully before posting anything over any social media platforms. Keep your things as general as possible.
• Block the ones who send you nasty messages or embarrassing videos.
• Jot down the dates and timings of bullying messages, along with any details you have about the sender’s ID and the URL.
• If you’re being bullied repeatedly, think about changing your user ID, nickname or profile.
• Never hesitate to report and offer your support if you see anything cyberbullying is taking place.