When it comes to bullying, cyber or physical, it can be horrible as a parent or carer not being able to help or stop it. Below are some helpful tips and advice on what you can do to help.
- If you suspect they’re being cyberbullied, explain to them what cyberbullying is, and ask if anything like that has happened to them. Likewise, if you suspect they are cyberbullying, address this with them and ask them why this is happening.
- If they don’t want to talk to you, suggest they chat with a teacher, or if they want to talk to a trained and trusted professional, they can call Childline.
- Don’t stop them from using the internet or their mobile phone as it may feel like they’re being punished and could stop them from telling you what’s happening.
- Make sure they know how to block anyone who posts hateful or abusive things about them on each app or online service they use – this process will usually fall under ‘settings’.
- Report it to the game/social platform, who are more likely to take the content down if the person involved in the video or their parents make the report.
- Thinkuknow has advice on online safety for young people that’s suitable for different age groups.
- All online activity can be traced by the police without any difficulty, so if you need to gather evidence, this is possible.
- Tell them not to let anyone see them signing into their accounts and if they do, change the password as soon as they can.
Source: Vodafone DP
