The online world is a tricky one for parents to deal with. It is addictive, easily accessible and fraught with many dangers and risks that our children’s young developing brains can’t yet comprehend. Dangers and risks from which no amount of boundaries and monitoring can protect them.
Ask any teen and they will be able to tell you stories someone they know, sometimes themselves, being cyber-bullied. Things have changed. Gone are the days where bullying occurred in whispers behind backs or trivial teasing in the playground. Today the bullies act cowardly from behind their keyboard under anonymous or fictitious avatars, spewing forth an emotional torment of humiliation for all to see.
You only need to look at Tumblr and Facebook to see the hateful and despicable things some teens are posting. Fortunately some teens are able to deal with such torment, able to brush it off even though deep down it hurts. Others are not as strong or emotionally equipped to cope which can lead to disastrous and saddening outcomes.
It makes me terribly sad to think what some of these kids are dealing with and to know that many will not tell their parents fearing further embarrassment and shame and concern that their online world will be taken away from them.
So what can we do to ensure our children are protected from cyber-bullies? As a mother of four girls, two teens and two younger ones who will be teens one day soon, I suggest the following:
- Talk to your kids from an early age about respect, manners and empathy. Speak with them about bullying, what it is and how it impacts the other person. And also speak to them about cyber-bullying and why it can be even more hurtful.
- Set online boundaries and guidelines and monitor their presence.
- Be knowledgeable and up to date with the latest social media and apps that the kids are using. Facebook is slowly diminishing in popularity with teens due to parents being Facebook savvy these days. Instagram is huge at the moment as well as Tumblr. Try to keep abreast of what’s hot and where your teen is hanging out online.
- Engage and be plugged into your child’s behavior. Be aware of any changes in behavior no matter how slight or insignificant they may seem. Changes in attitude other than the ‘normal’ teen mood swings, withdrawing from communicating with you, receding from social situations, changes in the way they interact with siblings; these are all signs to be aware of.
- Talk to your kids regularly not only about how things are at school, but generally too. Keep the lines of communication open and welcoming. Making time to listen will encourage them to come to you should they encounter any problems or situations.
- Visit www.cybersmart.gov.au where you will find some great tips and advice on how to best protect your children online.
How are you tackling internet safety in your family?
