How to Stop Internet Bullying

Many girls who are victims of an Internet bully are relunctant to talk to their parents about it.

Forty-two percent of students between fourth and eighth have experienced an Internet bully, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. An Internet bully is a minor who uses the Internet via cell phone or computer to harass, threaten or humiliate a peer. For the victim, it is a 24 hour attack that begins in the relative safety of his home and follows him to school and places of recreation. While schools have to enforce anti-bullying regulations, it is ultimately up to parents to stop Internet bullying.

Instructions

Guidelines for Internet Safety

1. Explain to your child your expectations for Internet use. Inform her of why you are giving her the privilege of using the Internet. Perhaps she is getting access to complete school work, or to keep in contact with a relative or close friend. Let her know that the Internet serves a purpose in her life, and be clear on what that purpose is. Tell her that harrassing anyone online will not be tollerated.

2. Set Internet limitations for your child. Talk with your child about how long he is allowed to be on the Internet per day. You should also be clear on what social sites you do not want him to join. By setting a time limit on how long he can be logged on and where he can go once he is, you lessen his chances of becoming an Internet bully or being targeted by one.

3. 

   Encourage your child to make friends in social settings instead of online.

   Talk about personal identity. Let your child know that she is not allowed to share her telephone number, home address, email address and full name with any site or other user without your permission. These key pieces of information often seem harmless to young kids, but are the very factors that can easily lead to long-term cyber-harassment.

Intervention

1. Talk to the bully. When your child is being bullied online you should contact the bully and tell him to stop. Identify yourself as your child's parent and advise the bully to stop.

2. Block the bully's access. When the bully is harassing your child by cellphone, contact your provider to have the number blocked. You can also set blocks on any social sites or Internet forums where the bully has access to your child.

3. Save all threats and messages the cyberbully sends. In the instance where the antagonising minor does not discontinue his harassment, the messages, emails and posts can be used as legal documentation of harassment.

Tips & Warnings

• Tell your child to be careful of what she says in response to the threats. In an attempt to defend herself your child could make the mistake of continuing the harassment by constantly retaliating.

• Talk to the parent of the minor when possible. Cyberbullies are often unnoticed attackers who are able to threaten other students without their own parents finding out. By informing the child's parents of her behavior you get other adults involved.

• Don't threaten or warn the attacker about steps that you are going to take in order to stop his behavior. Even when you are stating for him to stop bullying, stick to the basic, "stop".

• Don't address the situation without getting all of the information. Before you get the other child, his parents or the police involved, find out what role your child played in the incident. Read the texts, email messages and chats that your child exchanged.

References

• Stop Cyberbullying: Home
• New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services: Cyber Bullying
• The New York Times: Online Bullies Pull Schools Into the Fray