In today’s digital age, children spend a lot of time online — chatting with friends, playing games, and exploring social media. While the internet offers many opportunities, it also brings risks like cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can hurt children deeply, affecting their emotions, confidence, and even their safety. That’s why it’s important for parents and caregivers to teach children how to recognize, respond to, and prevent cyberbullying.
What Is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying happens when someone uses the internet, social media, or mobile phones to say mean or hurtful things to another person. It can take many forms, such as sending threatening messages, spreading rumours, excluding someone from online groups, or posting embarrassing pictures. Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying can happen anytime and anywhere — even at home.
Children need to understand that cyberbullying is serious and can cause emotional pain, sadness, and stress. It is not something to ignore or accept.
Encouraging Open Communication
The first step in helping children deal with cyberbullying is to create a safe space where they feel comfortable talking about their online lives. Ask them regularly about the websites and apps they use and if anything has upset them. Let them know they won’t get into trouble or be blamed for sharing their experiences.
When children know they can trust adults, they are more likely to speak up if they face problems online.
Teach Safe Online Behaviour and Boundaries
Setting clear family rules for online conduct is essential in preventing cyberbullying. Explain to your children that they should always treat others with respect and kindness — just like they would face-to-face. Make sure they understand the importance of not sharing personal information such as their full name, home address, school, or phone number with strangers or even casual online friends.
Teach children that ignoring bullies and avoiding retaliation is usually the safest choice. Responding to mean messages often makes the situation worse. Also, encourage them not to forward hurtful messages or pictures to others, as this can spread the problem.
By setting these boundaries and teaching safe online behaviour, you help children develop good habits and protect themselves from harm.
How to Respond to Cyberbullying
It’s important for children to know what to do if they encounter cyberbullying. Show them how to block bullies on social media and messaging apps so they no longer receive harmful messages.
Teach children to save evidence by taking screenshots or saving messages. This will help adults or authorities understand what happened if they need to report it.
Most importantly, encourage children to report any cyberbullying to a trusted adult — like a parent, teacher, or school counsellor. They can also report bullying to the website or app where it happened.
Monitoring and Participating in Your Child’s Online World
Keeping an eye on your child’s internet use helps protect them from harm. Keep devices like smartphones or tablets in shared family spaces, and set reasonable limits on screen time.
Consider using parental controls or monitoring apps, but explain to your child why this is necessary. Show interest in the websites and apps they enjoy by asking them to teach you about their favourite online games or social media platforms. This builds trust and helps you stay connected.
Building Emotional Resilience
Children need strong emotional tools to deal with difficult situations. Encourage them to focus on their strengths and the positive people in their lives.
Activities like writing in a journal, practising mindfulness, or talking with supportive friends can help children manage their feelings and boost their confidence.
Empowering Children to Be Upstanders
Teach your children not to just stand by when they see someone being bullied online. Encourage them to speak out safely by reporting bullying or supporting the victim.
Being an “upstander” helps create a kinder, safer online community.
Working with Schools and Communities
Cyberbullying isn’t only a home issue — schools and communities play a big role too. Get to know your child’s school policies on bullying and find out how they handle reports of cyberbullying.
Many schools run awareness programmes or assemblies to educate students and parents. Participating in these can strengthen support networks for children.
Check also: Effective Strategies to Tackle Bullying in Schools
By educating children about cyberbullying and fostering open communication, safe habits, and emotional support, parents and caregivers empower kids to navigate the digital world confidently and safely. Together with schools and communities, we can reduce the harmful effects of cyberbullying and build a respectful online environment for all.
