1 in 3 kids has experienced cyberbullying, an unfortunate statistic whether the child is the bully or the bullied. As parents, how can we make sure that we understand the threat of cyberbullying and react appropriately? mobilesecurity.com family safety expert Yvonne Gee shares some tips.
Cyberbullying can have a devastating effect on families. One out of three kids actually haveadmitted that they've experienced cyberbullying. And in many cases, some of them havebeen the cyberbully.
For folks that don't know what cyberbullying is, it's basically bullying that used to happen onthe playground, but is now actually happening online, whether you're online in a game oryou're online in a social network like in any of the social networks, or even online whenyou're using your phone and through texting.
One way to keep your kids safe is just, again, it comes back to being engaged and beingthere for your kids. Don't just hand them the phone and let them go on their merry way. Put insome guidelines. Put in some-- being able to be aware of the conversations and activelytalking to your kids and checking in on them.
Chances are, your kids are going to say anything if they experience cyberbullying, becausethey're going through a plethora of emotions. They're embarrassed. They're too scared toshare. They're going through these things that they won't be honest with you. And it's up toyou as a parent to notice a change in behavior, and being able to ask those questions andprobe a little more and find out about it. Another way there is also having some tools that areon the phone, and being able to monitor some conversations and being able to understandmaybe some of the text messages that are exchanged, and being able to step in as a parentto protect the child.