Cyber Bullying
Hopefully we have all begun to understand the dangers that come along with our advances in communication technology. We know there are many inappropriate websites we must help our kids avoid, and we have been warned about predators hoping to take advantage of our children. These dangers are real and worthy of our concern.
There are also dangers our kids face that do not involve strangers — but more likely their own peers. One of those dangers is cyber-bullying.
Cyber-bullying is just like any other bullying where a bully aims to hurt, embarrass, and/or threaten the victim — but with important differences.
What Makes Cyber-Bullying Different?
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24-Hour Reach
Cyber-bullying can take place 24 hours a day — even while your child is in the safety of your home.
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Anonymous Attackers
Cyber-bullying can take place without the victim even knowing who the bully is.
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~50% Report Being a Victim
About 50% of all kids report that they have been a victim of cyber-bullying.
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~50% Admit Being a Cyber-Bully
About 50% of all kids admit writing mean and hurtful things about others in emails, texts, or online.
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Most Kids Never Tell Anyone
Most kids that are cyber-bullied never tell their parents or any trusted adult.
What Should You Do?
- Save evidence — take screenshots of all cyberbullying messages and posts.
- Do not respond to the bully — responding can make the situation worse.
- Block the bully on all platforms and report the content.
- Contact your child's guidance counselor for support and next steps.
- Visit our Anti-Bullying Resources page for additional information and external links.