As adults, we are faced with the challenges of keeping up with technology, and all of the unfortunate ways it can be used to harm our children. As a parent, it is important you make certain you understand the many ways that cyberbullying can occur.   You may be  surprised by the tactics taken. The following are just a few examples of the multiple ways cyberbullying can reach our children:

Texting or Messaging Wars: Dozens or even hundreds of emails or text messages are sent to a victim by several people who are ganging up on the victim.

Harassing Videos and Images: It seems all of our kids have digital cameras, webcams, or phones with cameras. These are being used to snap photos and videos of what should be private situations –locker rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms – and being sent viral.

Flaming: This is the equivalent of an online fight where vicious words and verbal attacks are used instead of fists. This form of cyberbullying can occur between just two children or in public online arenas.

Happy Slapping: This can be one of the most disturbing things to see flashed across a screen – an unsuspecting child is physically attacked and the event is recorded by phone or digital camera and then posted online. Perpetrators often claim that is was just a joke, but victims rarely concur with this opinion.

Outing: Children are cyberbullied when someone sends personal, embarrassing, and private information online. Sometimes our children forget the dangers of sending personal photos or messages to friends which then get passed on to one or thousands more.

Dissing or Denigration: Cyberbullies send rumors and gossip online with intentions of damaging a child’s reputation, hurting friendships, or causing pain.

Impersonation: Impersonating someone has never been so easy, especially when a cyberbully is able to break into an online account and steal or change information. This information can be used to harass, impersonate, and even steal from the victim.

Bash Boards: These are even worse than they sound. Individuals can post anything, and usually the goal of the bash board is to spread painful and malicious content about a person or group of people.

How Can I Protect My Child From Cyberbullying?

As parents, educators, and adults we have the responsibility to make sure that children are not using these technologies to damage relationships and hurt others. There are so many ways that cyberbullying occurs that it can be confusing and frustrating for us as parents to make sure that we are doing all we can to protect our children and teach them responsible uses of technology.

• Set clear guidelines for online behaviors, cell phone use, and gaming systems. Make sure you follow through with your expectations and make certain your children are meeting them.
• Monitor children for the length of time they spend on technology devices and the activities in which they participate. We can use parental control software and monitoring programs to make sure we know exactly what our children are experiencing online.
• Teach children never to share passwords or account information with anyone other than their parents. If personal information is required online, make sure your kids know to come and ask you before submitting anything.
• Remind children never to send messages or post information when they are upset, angry, or frustrated. Just like we teach toddlers and young children to take deep breaths and have time-outs to deal with these emotions, we need to make sure our children aren’t acting impulsively.
• Never erase messages that have been sent by a cyberbully. It may be needed for further actions with school officials or law enforcement.

Parenting is a challenge, and while technology can help us keep connected with our children, it can also pose dangers for them. As parents, educators, and adults we need to be certain our children understand the ramifications of cyberbullying and how to deal with it if it occurs.

AUTHOR OVERVIEW

Lisa Shaw Senior Director, Child Online Safety and Protection at SpectorSoft

What do five kids ranging in age from kindergarten to high school, a Harvard MBA and years of protecting kids online get you? It gets you Lisa Shaw, COO of her very busy household, and a Senior Director at SpectorSoft, the number one leader in monitoring and protecting your kids online. She's an expert on the technology and trends that you need to arm yourself with to be the best parent you can be in today’s digital world.

Tags: cyberbully, cyberbullying, parenting advice