How to Discuss Cyberbullying With Your Kids

When your kid begins to go online or use a cell phone, there is the potential to see cyberbullying or the temptation to do it. Before your kids begin to use online communication tools, talk to them about the rules for responsible, respectful online communications. If they see cyberbullying, they should talk to you or report it to another trusted adult. Sometimes kids are afraid to report it because they may have participated in it, or may be afraid of getting targeted. Most cyberbullying happens in its own little "ecosystem" where many kids join in and play different roles at different times: as the aggressor, the victim, the bystander, and the "upstander"—the one who stands up to the bully. Talk to your kid about being the one who stands up to it and stopping the cycle.

If you suspect your kid may have bullied someone else, I would talk to them about what's going on in their life and why they acted out like that. If they truly hurt someone else, there should be consequences for that behavior. For many kids, learning to use online communication tools responsibly and respectfully is a learning process. But you know your kid best—and you are the best judge of how responsible they are and how impulsive they might be, so continue to talk about your expectations (and consequences) for online behavior.

Information provided by Caroline Knorr, Parenting Editor of Common Sense Media. For more tips about teaching your kids to be safe online, visit Common Sense Media.