based on a media release from Triple P Positive Parenting Program
This National Bullying No Way Week (August 12th-16th), Triple P, a parenting program provider, is highlighting the importance of keeping children safe online and preventing cyberbullying. Survey findings reveal that a staggering 80% of parents worry about their children’s safety online, with parents of 6-11 year-olds expressing the greatest concern about handling cyberbullying situations.
Cyberbullying can have devastating consequences for a child’s well-being. Victims often experience:
- Emotional effects: Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, social isolation, feelings of anger and humiliation
- Physical effects: Headaches, stomachaches, trouble sleeping, changes in eating habits
- In severe cases, cyberbullying can even lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts
It’s important to be aware of these potential effects so you can take action if you suspect your child is being cyberbullied.
What can parents do?
Triple P offers these tips to help parents talk to their kids about cyberbullying:
- Start the conversation: You don’t always have to have long, serious talks about cyberbullying. Casual, frequent chats work well too. With younger kids, keep it simple and talk about being kind online. With tweens and teens, respect their need for more privacy and show interest in their online activities, encourage them to consider the impact of their messages, to respect others’ differences, and to expect the same for themselves.
- Help kids feel prepared: “What if” scenarios help kids feel prepared to handle tricky situations. For younger children, you could ask them how they would feel if a stranger tried to message them while they were playing a game online. Discuss what they could do, like telling a grown-up about the message. With teens, you could talk about how they would feel if they saw hurtful comments about a classmate on social media and explore ways they could respond. Be open to their opinions and ideas.
- Create a calm, supportive space: Kids often feel embarrassed or scared to talk to their parents about things happening online,especially if they think they’ll get in trouble. Tell them it’s okay to feel afraid or worried, and they won’t get in trouble for coming to you. Stay calm and let them know you’ve available to listen and help, no matter what.
To emphasise the importance of working together to prevent cyberbullying, here are some specific actions that everyone can take:
- Parents: Educate yourselves about cyberbullying and talk to your children about it regularly
- Schools: Implement anti-bullying programs and create a safe reporting system for students
- Communities: Support organisations that work to prevent cyberbullying and raise awareness about this issue
Triple P’s free online parenting programs help anyone in a parenting role to confidently handle challenges and raise happy, capable, resilient kids. There’s a free online program for raising kids aged 0-12, and another specifically for parents and carers of kids who are frequently anxious.