Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that occurs via electronic devices. In order to meet the criteria of bullying, the following conditions must be met:
- the harm caused by the bully (behavior or words) is intentional
- the target has less physical or psychological power than the bully
- the harm recurs over time
The most dangerous effects of cyberbullying include:
- developed social anxiety
- developed depression
- suicidal thoughts
- engagement in self harm
Cyberbullying occurs in many different formats. Some of the more common forms are:
- doxing – having personal information shared online without consent
- outing – sharing embarrassing or humiliating information or photos
- denigrating – spreading gossip or rumors about someone
An overwhelming majority of cyberbullying victims do not tell their parents out of fear that they will be labeled a “tattletale” or a “poor sport.” Parents should be aware of these signs that indicate cyberbullying may be occurring:
- sleep problems
- appearing withdrawn, depressed, angry, or anxious, especially after using the internet
- more frequent use of social media
- declining grades or work performance
- decreased desire to attend school
- lower self-esteem
Parents should take an active role in their children’s lives and familiarize themselves with the current social media trends of teens. Parents should also:
- educate their child on what cyberbullying is, how to recognize it, and why it is wrong
- encourage two-way communication with their child
- explain that they should spread hurtful information or gossip as it might make them a cyberbully or a target for retaliation
- be understanding so the child will not be afraid to come forward with questions or concerns
- set ground rules for online activity so there are some boundaries for the child
If a parent discovers that their child has been cyberbullied, the following steps should be considered:
- talk with the child about cyberbullying and how it has affected them
- block the cyberbully on all social media accounts
- save evidence of the cyberbullying in case the school or police need to be involved
- decide on a plan of action for the child to continue using their social media accounts
More resources are available at stopbullying.gov and Connect Safely: The Parent’s Guide to Cyberbullying. The information on this page was compiled using Sunshine Behavior Health as a resource.
