How to Teach Kids Safe Online Behavior
I dealt with bullying in school, especially with other girls. I don't want my kids to be socially anxious or uncomfortable with themselves. Also, I want them to be kind and accepting of others. Nowadays, social life in school is tied to online social media. I worry about them being on either side of the social conflicts. How can I encourage them to be social (online and in real life) but not to get too emotionally involved, and also be aware of their behavior/treatment of others?
You are absolutely correct that nowadays kids' social lives are completely intertwined with their online worlds. Kids make no distinction. But real-world rules apply online too. Talk about responsible, respectful online behavior and how online communications can often be misconstrued. If you wouldn't say something to someone's face, you shouldn't say it online either. Conversely, if you have something really important or sensitive to tell another kid, have a face-to-face conversation about it.
If your kids have a close group of friends that they're online with a lot, you might want to gather the other kids' parents to develop some guidelines about appropriate online behavior that everyone can agree to.
Cyberbullying can be a kind of ecosystem where lots of kids get involved and actually play different roles at different times. One minute they may be the aggressor, the next minute they themselves are being targeted. Kids also act as bystanders and some kids act as "upstanders"—the ones who stand up to the bully. Talk to your kids about being the kind of person who stands up so they can help stop the cycle.
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 kids have a close group of friends that they're online with a lot, you might want to gather the other kids' parents to develop some guidelines about appropriate online behavior that everyone can agree to.
Cyberbullying can be a kind of ecosystem where lots of kids get involved and actually play different roles at different times. One minute they may be the aggressor, the next minute they themselves are being targeted. Kids also act as bystanders and some kids act as "upstanders"—the ones who stand up to the bully. Talk to your kids about being the kind of person who stands up so they can help stop the cycle.
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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