What is cyberbullying?

Bullying committed online is known as cyberbullying. Social media, chat services, gaming platforms, and mobile devices are all potential venues. It is a pattern of behavior meant to frighten, infuriate, or embarrass those who are the target. Examples as follow:

• Creating false information about someone or publishing embarrassing images or videos of them on social media

• Using messaging services to send offensive, threatening, or abusive texts, photos, or videos

• Using a false identity to send obscene messages to others on that person’s behalf

Some shocking statistics regarding cyberbullying…

• 65% of young adults say they have been the victim of cyberbullying
•  Suicide thoughts are 3–9 times more likely to occur in cyberbullying victims
• Only 2 out of 10 victims of cyber attacks will tell their parents or teachers about the attacks

Photo from @Towfiqu barbhuiya

How can we prevent cyberbullying?

Keep track of online behavior

Installing iPhone and Android phone tracking applications is an option if going entirely offline isn’t an option. These enable the viewing of all text messages, including those that have been erased, call logs, and general online conduct in addition to the surveillance of social media activities on sites like Facebook, Tik Tok, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube. Even better, you can remotely block and manage the child’s phone. Be aware of what they are doing online, when they are doing it, and who they are doing it with.

Focus on the positive

Staff members at schools have a lot of power to stop cyberbullying. You can send out newsletters as a teacher and have staff and parent meetings. Create a page and forum on the school website where parents can discuss the issue. Giving bullies and victims cooperative tasks encourages them to try and view one another from alternative angles.

Give them techniques to react

As bullying frequently occurs in front of friends and peers, it is important to ensure that the “plan to avoid cyberbullying” has credibility with their peers so that they may “save face” and turn the spotlight back on the bully. Ironically, the incorrect reaction could fuel future bullying.

To learn more…

Read from the below books to understand more about cyberbully!