Cyber Bullies
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Both Lori and I have written posts addressing this topic, most recently on 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting, 6 Empowering Ways for Your Child to Deal with a Bully. The two of us had the honor of being guests on the Rita Schulte Heartline Radio Show, to speak on bullying recently too. Click on the link below to listen to the interview.
Unfortunately I’ve had a bully bothering me too. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard from me in a couple weeks I have a good reason for being “offline”. I was cyber-bullied, more specifically hacked! (Please accept my apology for the ads that appeared intermingled with the blog posts.)
Have you or your child ever been cyber bullied? This website hacker will most likely never be found. When kids are bullied online, attackers are usually acquaintances, classmates, or even friends. All it takes is one click to make a hurtful message go viral.
Use these pointers to help your kids with cyber bullies.
• Keep the lines of communication open. Talk about what cyber bullying looks like. Ask if your child has read messages that are callous or cruel to other kids and what he thinks about those kinds of messages. Cyber bullying most commonly occurs in middle school. Your child might be embarrassed to talk to you or even admit there’s a problem. Assure him you are on in his corner.
• Keep the computer in a common family area where you can keep track of what’s going on with email, online games, and social media.
• “Friend” your child on Facebook. Follow him on Twitter. Create you own Instagram account. Get into the child’s cyber world but resist commenting too much or you might not be welcome!
• Charge cell phones in your bedroom, not the child’s. Check messages occasionally.
• Have ongoing conversations regarding appropriate behavior with cell phone use, social media, and Internet use. A good litmus test is the simple question, “Would you be comfortable if Grandma read every message on your phone and saw every photo?” If not, don’t send it. Period.
• Encourage kids not to respond to the bully online. Instead, block the bully, sign out, and give the situation a few days to cool down. The bully is looking for a conflict. Don’t provide it. If necessary, take a “cyber-fast”.
• Pray
…for the Lord to strengthen your child in adversity.
…for good friends who will stand up to a bully with your child.
…for your child to stand up for others who are bullied.
…for God to protect kids from those who try to harm them.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Listen to Rita Schulte’s Heartline Radio Show interview with Lori Wildenberg and Becky Danielson on Bullying.
© 2013 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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