Did you know? Fifty-eight percent of students admit someone has said something hurtful to them online, and the same number have not told their parents or an adult about it.*
Online school is not immune to the disrespect of bullying, although the digital environment does help with providing a safety from physical harm. Unfortunately, cruelty transcends the format of human interaction, whether online or not. Parents and students need to be aware of this danger and fight it with prevention.
Online bullying can be spread by the following:
- Mobile phones with text or photo messaging
- Internet applications like email, instant messaging, or social networks
- Online videos or false social media profiles to wide audiences
Online bullying prevention starts with education. Parents have the responsibility to be good role models and to educate their children on what bullying is, how it degrades humans, and when to speak up.
Websites for online bullying prevention:
StopBullying.gov – Find information on cyberbullying and what adults, teens, parents, and schools can do. This site also includes a quiz to identify bullying behavior.
Stopcyberbullying.org – Read the prevention Q & A section, along with bullying definitions and what a school's role should be. An introductory video presentation offers a look at how it feels to be cyber bullied.
National Crime Prevention Council – Discover information on how online bullying victims react and how to stay safe. Check out additional helpful website links.
StompOutBullying.org – Learn how to not be a bystander in bullying and how to not be cyberbullied.
SafetyWeb.com – Review stats, facts, Internet safety tips for parents, and a blog with helpful articles on educating children about online safety.
Although not a physical form of bullying, online bullying has just as harmful repercussions to a student's self-esteem. According to the same study noted at the beginning of this post, 53% of students also admit saying something harmful to another person online. The cycle needs to be stopped. You can help. Teach your children the importance of standing up and speaking up to help prevent online bullying.
What tips do you have for parents to promote online bullying prevention?
*(Study by isafe.org of 1,500 students in grades 4-8)