How to Recognize Cyberbullying
Are there any basic guidelines or indicators you recommend we consider when trying to ascertain if the teasing from school mates is just being playful, or getting into the realm of serious bullying? Is it the volume of posts, the severity of the teasing, the topics, the ratio to non-bullying messages?
All of those things could indicate cyberbullying. Trust your best judgment on this: if it smells fishy, it very well could be. Certainly, any personal jabs, put-downs, hate speech—those are all indicators of bullying.
If your kid feels threatened, is scared to go to school, withdrawn, or overly focused on the website where you suspect bullying, that would be a good indicator that trouble is afoot and you might want to go ahead and raise the red flag with the kidÂ’s parents or with the teacher.
Kids often do post things they think are funny, but are hurtful and harmful. Also, a heavy volume of posts can be an indication of digital harassment. It can also indicate that the child who is doing it (if it is one child) is not being supervised and his or her parents should be notified.
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.
report abuseIf your kid feels threatened, is scared to go to school, withdrawn, or overly focused on the website where you suspect bullying, that would be a good indicator that trouble is afoot and you might want to go ahead and raise the red flag with the kidÂ’s parents or with the teacher.
Kids often do post things they think are funny, but are hurtful and harmful. Also, a heavy volume of posts can be an indication of digital harassment. It can also indicate that the child who is doing it (if it is one child) is not being supervised and his or her parents should be notified.
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.
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