Unfortunately, cyberbullying (harassment, emotional abuse online, in the online space) is becoming a common occurrence in the lives of modern children and teenagers. The extent varies by country, age group and study. Take the individual child’s experience seriously.
The first thing a parent should pay attention to is whether there have been any changes in their child's behavior. Perhaps, he or she has recently become more withdrawn, stops using the phone and computer, it is noticeable that your child goes to school with a greater sense of heaviness, their academic performance at school is declining or has already declined, they are no longer interested in things they used to love, their eating habits have changed - they have started eating very little or, on the contrary, noticeably more than usual, your son or daughter is in a depressed or depressive mood, as if “casually” mention the meaninglessness of existence, experience increased anxiety and anxiety, panic attacks, or even talk about intentions to harm themselves, avoid communicating with peers, and have had no friends lately. These are very important and serious symptoms of behavioral changes that need to be paid attention to, and a reason to change the established relationships in the family, contact an adolescent psychologist, a psychotherapist, a family psychologist.
How to protect your child from cyberbullying?
1. The first and most important rule at any age and in any situation that may arise is to provide a safe and trusting space and atmosphere in the family, in which your child will always come to you and share his/her troubles and hardships with you! He/she knows that parents can be trusted and at home calmly and safely.
2. The second rule is to explain to the child what it means to protect oneself, how to do it in order to feel safe in the Internet space. How to behave if you suddenly receive offensive or suspicious messages / calls?
3. The third rule is to ensure personal safety in the Internet space. How to protect your personal information, how to deal with unnecessary and unhelpful users? This is exactly where a parent can help and tell / show the child how to do it.
4. The fourth rule is knowing that the child always has support, there is a clearly formed circle of support, the child knows who is in it and who can help him with what, that he can ask for help at any time when it is needed!
My current practice is with adults. This article offers ideas for parents and carers; a child who needs assessment or treatment should see an appropriately qualified child or adolescent specialist.