Anti-bullying week 2015

learn about about cyberbullying

During this year’s Anti-Bullying Week we’re helping parents get smart about cyberbullying.
With resources, articles, and downloadable guides, we’ve got all you need to help you understand what to do if you find out your child is being cyberbullied or is cyberbullying someone else.

What is ‘cyber’ bullying?

Cyberbullying is when someone bullies another person over the internet or mobile phone, usually either publicly via message or social media.

Common ways of cyberbullying are text stalking, trolling, email abuse with fake emails, public sharing of images without permission, interactive gaming bullying.

Top 5 Internet Manners

Use these ‘Internet Manners’ with your child to make the internet a safer place to be:

  1. Treat others as you would like to be treated online

  2. If you wouldn’t say it to someone in person, don’t say it online

  3. Respect other people’s online privacy

  4. Don’t make an online situation worse by provoking people

  5. Don’t spread rumours or spread gossip about someone online

See guide

Comic strip competition

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Our comic strip competition challenges children to think about what to do if they see others being cyberbullied.

The top prize includes a day filming in the Sky Academy Skills Studio for the winner and their class.

See competition details

Concerned your child could be a cyberbully?

Talking with your child

Talking with your child about being cyberbullied can be difficult for both you and your child.

But communication is important so that they know that there are ways of dealing with the problems. Some strategies include:

  • ask obvious questions
  • listen without judging
  • praise them for talking to you

Resources: Online tools and guides for parents 

See resources

Understanding the emotions behind cyberbullying

Concerned your child could be a cyberbully?

Spotting the signs

No parent wants to think of their child bullying someone else. But young people who may have never bullied before can get drawn into cyberbullying, sometimes without realising it.

Look out for the following:

  • may have a history of bullying, or has been the target of bullying themselves
  • avoids conversations about what they do online
  • they might be using multiple social networking accounts
  • switches screens or closes programs when you, or others, are nearby
  • spends a lot of time on the computer or mobile phone
  • can get very upset if access to computers or mobile phone is restricted or denied

Stopping your child from cyberbullying

If you find out or suspect your child is a cyberbully, talking with them about it can be an effective first step in dealing with it.

Listening, reinforcing positive behaviour, and sharing your concerns with them can help influence their behaviour in a positive way.

Read full article

Article: Help! My child is the cyberbully

By Lauren Seager-Smith