Skip to main content

Understanding Cyberbullying: What Parents and Educators Need to Know


If you’ve been following my blog you may know that I live in Michigan with two amazing kids—a 10-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy. Like many parents, I'm constantly juggling the demands of family life while trying to keep up with the fast-paced world of technology. With our kids spending so much time online, it's more important than ever to understand the challenges they face, especially when it comes to cyberbullying.


It’s heartbreaking to think about any child feeling isolated or scared because of cyberbullying. I remember when my daughter came home upset because of a mean comment someone made about her online. It was a wake-up call for our family about the reality of cyberbullying. We had a long talk, and I made sure she knew we were in this together.


Since 2016, I have offered presentations, webinars and workshops on internet wellness, safety and security for schools, organizations, workplaces, and families. As someone who was a teacher from 2007 - 2015, I witnessed first hand the obvious and not so obvious impact of social media on our kids and want to do my part to keep our communities safe while encouraging positive and responsible use of tech. 


As parents and educators, we're on the front lines of helping our kids navigate these digital waters. By staying informed and keeping communication open, we can support our children and teach them how to handle these situations with strength and resilience.



Cyberbullying is when someone uses digital platforms like social media, texting, or online games to harass, threaten, or humiliate another person. Unlike playground bullying, this can happen anytime, anywhere, making it incredibly tough for our kids to escape.


Types of Cyberbullying

1. Harassment: Think of it as getting a flood of nasty messages.

2. Denigration: This is all about spreading harmful rumors or lies.

3. Flaming: Aggressive, heated online fights.

4. Impersonation: Someone pretending to be your child online, causing all sorts of trouble.

5. Outing: Sharing private information or embarrassing photos without permission.


6. Exclusion: Deliberately leaving someone out of online groups or activities.

7. Cyberstalking: Continuous, threatening harassment that can feel incredibly scary.

Ask your child if they’ve ever experienced or witnessed any of these forms of bullying.

Real-Life Signs Your Child Might Be Facing Cyberbullying

As parents, we need to be detectives sometimes, and that's okay! Here are some signs that your child might be experiencing cyberbullying:

  • Emotional Ups and Downs: If your kid seems unusually sad or anxious after checking their phone or computer, something might be up.

  • Avoidance: Not wanting to go to school or social events, or avoiding their devices altogether.

  • School Struggles: Dropping grades and a lack of interest in school could be a red flag.

  • Physical Complaints: Unexplained headaches, stomachaches, or other physical symptoms.

  • Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from family and friends or losing interest in activities they used to love.

How We Can Help as Parents and Educators


1. Keep the Conversation Going: Make sure your kids know they can talk to you about anything that happens online. Create a safe space for these conversations.

   

2. Educate Together: Learn about cyberbullying as a family. Discuss why kindness and empathy are so important online, just as they are in person.


3. Stay Informed: Know what your kids are doing online. Use parental controls and set boundaries, but also respect their need for some privacy.


4. Promote Positivity: Encourage your children to be kind and supportive online. Highlight the good behavior you see and talk about why it matters.


5. Report and Block: Teach your kids how to block and report anyone who is being abusive. Make sure they know it's okay to come to you for help.


6. Keep Records: If cyberbullying happens, save screenshots and any other evidence. This can be crucial if things need to be reported to the school or even the authorities.


7. Get Professional Help: If your child is struggling with the emotional impact of cyberbullying, don't hesitate to reach out to school counselors or mental health professionals.

Useful Resources

StopBullying.gov: Tons of resources on preventing and dealing with bullying and cyberbullying.

Common Sense Media: Offers great advice and reviews on digital content.

National Bullying Prevention Center (PACER): Provides tools and support for bullying prevention.

Cyberbullying Research Center: Research-based info on cyberbullying and how to stay safe online.


We're all in this together. Let's all continue learning and growing so we can keep our families and communities safe and informed.


Ebony Bagley - Internet Wellness Advocate

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Life Happens - Back to School Season - Screen Time Reset and Almost 40?

Hey friends! It's been a minute since I've had the chance to sit down and blog. Why? Because LIFE this summer has been a whirlwind. Camps, parties, work trips and trying to keep up a social life of my own...it was a lot. And let's be honest, there's still so much I didn't get around to. To top it off, my best friend is getting married in Cartagena, Colombia, and mentally, I'm already there!!! Trying to balance travel plans, family activities, and work...whew! And then came August—what August? I blinked, and we were already back to school. On the bright side, both of my kids are at the same school this year! Kristopher started kindergarten, and Khloe is in 5th grade. New school year, new level of parenting unlocked! With back to school comes a tech reset in the Bagley household. Let me be honest: our summer was all about flex time when it came to screen time. During the day, the kids are mostly offline, working on review activities or playing indoors or outside. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Let’s Get Serious: Just Jokes or Inappropriate? The Challenge of Raising Kids in a Viral Era - Hot Topics & TikTok Dances

Lately, I’ve been floored by how desensitized we’ve become to things that used to shock us. Serious topics get treated like punchlines, and instead of focusing on the real issues—like the fact that we have an election coming up in less than 45 days!!! News outlets are busy discussing "freak-offs" like it’s normal conversation. It’s absolutely ridiculous. Where did the professionalism go? As someone who used to work in news, it’s wild to see how much things have changed. TV and social media feel like one big reality show now, and throw AI into the mix, and its hard to tell what’s real anymore. What really gets me is seeing parents and adults on the TikTok dancing alongside their young kids to songs full of cuss words and suggestive lyrics for likes, especially that Bossman DLow one..."SMH!" Or, watching skits and shows that used to be for "adults only" now being reproduced for content and likes by kids.  But then, we turn around and act surprised when these...
Post a Comment
Read more

Seniors are Thriving Online - How to Help them Stay Safe

It's a new day and in addition to young people using social media platforms at a high rate, senior citizens and older adults are also increasingly finding joy and connection online. My mom, who is in her early seventies, is a perfect example of this exciting shift. She's discovering the many ways the internet can help her stay social, informed and in the know about things to do in our community and beyond. I feel like in many ways access to the internet for her and her peers has benefited their lives tremendously for the better.  Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram enable older adults to stay connected with family and friends, share life updates, and see the lives of those they care about. Whether it's video calls with grandchildren, sharing photos, or even joining group chats, these digital interactions can significantly reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness and prolong life. The internet is filled with information and entertainment, perfect for older ...
Post a Comment
Read more