The National Crime Prevention Council’s definition of cyber-bullying is “when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.” Cyberbullying is increasingly recognized as a growing problem among tweens and teens.
Useful Parental Controls:
- Monitoring Software installed on computers or mobile phones can alert you to bullying behavior.
- Contact Management features on e-mail and IM can help your child block problematic contacts or limit to approved contacts.
- Content Filtering can block websites that might pose potential problems, such as social networks.
Tips:
- Watch for warning signs of being cyberbullied, such as a sudden change in online behavior or a sudden change in mood.
- Instruct your children to talk to you about cyberbullying if they see it occur or become a victim.
- Instruct your children to protect their private information and not to share passwords – even with their “best friend forever.”
- Instruct your children to save messages from cyberbullies, which are important evidence.
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