Tips to prevent cyberbullying
Take an interest
Ask them about what they do online, what apps or sites they use, and if they can show you how to use them.
Talk privacy
Get a clear idea of how they stay safe online. Do they know not to share personal details with friends?
Check understanding
Do they know the minimum age of popular social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat is 13 years old?
Encourage manners
Encourage them to be a good citizen and share our Top Internet Manners to help them use their power for good online.
Report and block
Check if they know how to report things that upset them online or block people. Do they know to come to you to talk about anything they are worried about?
Tips to deal with cyberbullying
Reassure
Reassure your child that they’ve done the right thing by telling you, that it’s not their fault and that you’ll work together to find a solution.
Save evidence
Save evidence of cyberbullying and keep a note of times and patterns of when it happens.
Block and report
Block the perpetrators so they can’t contact your child and report the cyberbullying to the site, school and, if applicable, police.
Report discrimination
Report discriminatory bullying as a hate crime or incident to the police if it is specifically targeted their to disability.
Don’t retaliate
Don’t encourage your child to retaliate or respond to the perpetrators.
Don’t remove devices
Don’t delete their social media activity or take away their device to make sure they don’t feel afraid to tell you in the future.
Give time
Give them time to communicate what has happened as they might find it challenging.
Stay calm
Don’t overreact if they do something you don’t want them to online otherwise they might not want to discuss it again.
More on cyberbullying conversation starter guide
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