Cyberbullying is a complex and serious issue for all internet users of all ages, including young users. Kaspersky, a cybersecurity and digital privacy firm, has developed strategies to help children and parents trust one another and combat cyberbullying.
According to the firm's web content lead, Andrey Sidenko, cyberbullying is a very complex and serious problem and there are studies that "show that children often do not tell adults that they are experiencing bullying", however, by "building a trusting relationship with the child will help parents be aware if their child encounters bullying", making cyberbullying possible to deal with.
Prohibit is not an answer
The best way to combat cyberbullying is not to outright forbid the use of social media or the internet because parents, it may result in distancing, which might disrupt relationships. In order to "separate" the bully's words from the kids' personalities, it may be much more helpful to assist them in adopting a critical perspective about the circumstances and can also aid in understanding what is going on and forming abilities to deal with online violence and manipulation.
Support and trust are essential elements
Parents can be a source of support for their children who are victims of cyberbullying. However, according to various surveys, it is a common situation in which children do not share such problems with their parents. Look for warning signs in bullied victims such as withdrawing from their usual fun activities or problems sleeping or eating, tears or sadness with irritability or avoiding interactions.
Do not answer
Reacting with hurtful words will only make matters worse. Trying to reason with the bully without the participation of adults is also not worth it. Ignoring them is the only way to avoid an onslaught of clarifications, insults, and the like.
Block the aggressor, complain to the moderators
Many websites and social networks have blacklist or block list features. Why not block the instigator.
Set private settings
We were taught not to approach strangers on the street. So, why don't we apply the same rule to the online world? Completely protect yourself from the same bully by setting your personal social media accounts to private.
Temporarily delete or deactivate personal account
Taking a break from social media can help you breathe and focus on yourself.
Furthermore, bullies may lose interest if they do not receive a response. The most important thing is not to blame yourself for this situation.
Take screenshots
Evidence can be useful if you need to contact law enforcement. You can also discuss the issue with the offender or personally explain the potential consequences to them.
Don't dismiss the digital help
For young users, today's technology also includes a number of parental controls to help protect children from harmful or inappropriate online content. Parents can also use third-party apps to protect their children from harmful content, set screen time limits, monitor their online activity, and track their location using GPS.