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assisting in the realization of civil and social rights
How to Protect a Child from Cyberbullying
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying (from English "cyber" — related to computers, the internet; "bullying" — harassment) is harassment of someone on the internet. One person or a group of people unite against another person and systematically bully them, using the internet and social networks. In defining any form of harassment, including cyberbullying, consistency is important: a person is considered a victim if they are subjected to attacks over a period of time, that is, bullying occurs constantly.
What can be considered cyberbullying?
1) Writing offensive comments under photos and publications;
2) Sending messages of a threatening, immoral, humiliating, and offensive nature;
3) Creating chats or entire communities on social networks dedicated to bullying a specific person;
4) Spreading slander to incite hatred, ruin a person's reputation, and force people not involved in the bullying to join in;
5) Creating fake profiles and spreading information that defames a person's dignity; and more.
Victims of cyberbullying can be both adults and teenagers. This type of bullying should not be underestimated: even if the attacks only happen online (although often real-life bullying can be associated with online bullying), they still have a very strong impact on a person's mental health and can lead to suicide.
Signs that a child has become a victim of cyberbullying
1) Withdrawal, isolation, avoiding usual activities. For example, the child started using social networks less often and generally picking up the phone or going to the computer. Also, a worrying sign is the loss of social circle.
2) Decrease in self-esteem, anxiety, restlessness. It may become more difficult for the child to concentrate and learn new things.
3) Loss of appetite and insomnia.
4) Tears, depression, constant bad mood.
How to protect a child from cyberbullying?
The most important thing a parent needs to explain to their child is that the child is not to blame for the bullying. There are no objective reasons for bullying: children can be bullied for doing too well in school or too poorly, for being too quiet, for being too poorly dressed, for their parents being divorced, for being adopted, and many other things. In a cultured and educated society, none of these things make a child a bad person or prove that they deserve to be bullied. Therefore, it is very difficult to prevent bullying, as bullies can choose anyone as their target. However, it is possible to effectively deal with the consequences and stop cyberbullying in its tracks.
Firstly, make sure to collect all the evidence: take screenshots and save voice messages, if there are any.
Secondly, add the offenders to the blacklist and report their profiles. If lucky, the social network may permanently ban the bullies' accounts.
Thirdly, if necessary, suggest that the child take a break from social media for a while to recover.
Fourthly, if the cyberbullying was accompanied by real-life bullying, for example, at school, contact the class teacher or principal with the evidence and make sure they take action. If necessary, do not hesitate to transfer the child to a new school.
Fifthly, take the child to a psychologist who deals with cases of bullying.
Most importantly, do not ignore what has happened. Do not advise the child to "just ignore it": such a reaction to bullying, on the contrary, only encourages the offenders. Sometimes it is enough to fight back just once, and the bullies will be afraid to continue bullying the child.
If you have any remaining questions about children's safety on the internet, use the information posted on our website!
8-801-201-5555, for calls within the Republic of Belarus, from landline phones and mobile operators A1, MTC, life:) the call is free
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If necessary, our employees will give you the numbers of other organizations that can help.
