16 November, 2014
Cyberbullying—bullying someone online—has sadly become common.
Just as with all bullying, though, your teen doesn’t have to sit and take it. She can take steps to prevent it. And If it does happen, she can move to end it quickly.
Here’s how you can help:
Be there for your teen. Explain that you won’t stand for her being bullied anywhere—including online. Ask her to tell you if she receives a cruel or hurtful email.
Tell your teen not to share any passwords with peers. That includes her closest friends.
Keep the Internet out of her bedroom. Here’s another reason to keep computers in family areas, such as kitchens: Your teen may be more likely to tell you about bullying if you’re in the same room.
Google your teen’s name, your address, phone numbers or other information to see if the search engine is able to find anything. It’s a good way to check whether someone has posted something about your teen in a public Internet area.
Never respond. Your teen should never write back to a cyberbully. This only encourages the bully to keep the communication going.
Keep records. Print out everything your teenager receives from a cyberbully or finds posted about her in a public Internet area. Make sure you have a date and time for everything.
Go to the authorities. If cyberbullying happens more than once, go to school officials or the police and show them what you have printed out.
brought to you by
Hopkinton Middle School
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