The Internet does weird things to people and especially to teenagers. It makes them braver than they would be in real life. It makes them forget that words can hurt. It makes them forget that there can be consequences - serious ones!
Just yesterday the media announced a story about two teenaged boys who harassed a younger teenaged girl into sending them nude photos. And then they harassed her some more. And then they shared those photos with friends via social media outlets. And then they suffered the consequences.
But was it enough? I'm sure it didn't make up for the suffering that this girl went through and likely is still going through. Some people are saying that she should have known better - she shouldn't have taken those photos in the first place and she certainly shouldn't have sent them. But no one really knows what they did or said to convince her to take and send the photos. No one knows what happened before all this took place. It is quite possible that the bullying started long before the photos were demanded.
Kids that seem to have their heads screwed on right (*and some adults too) seem to think that just because the Internet gives them a voice it means that they have to use it. YOU DON'T! Just because the venue is there doesn't mean it is a good idea to start typing madly.
I have long believed that "privacy" of children is to be earned - it isn't a right. Until you are sure that your child (and they are exactly that until they are 18) is able to handle themselves online, you have every right in the world to have access to their Facebook (including private messages), Twitter, and even text messages. Don't be afraid to demand it.
But sometimes, they are going to find a way around that.
Heard of SnapChat? It's just one of the ways that teens can send messages to each other and have them deleted so no one can read them. If you don't think your teen is able to act responsibly, don't allow them to have SnapChat on their phone because even though messages are supposed to be deleted, it is easy for someone getting the message (and pictures) to take a screen capture of it, to be used at a later time.
So, what can you do about protecting your kids from online bullying and making sure they don't become the bullies?
- Talk to them about it. Often.
- Share news stories like this so that they know there are consequences.
- Encourage them to talk about it if they think they or someone else is being bullied.
- If you find out that a child other than your own is being bullied or being the bully don't be afraid to talk to that child's parents. We all need to live in this world so it IS your business.
- Reinforce to your child that the Internet/social media is not the real world.
- Don't be afraid to demand that your child be "friends" with you on social media.
- Don't be afraid to demand the right to check your child's phone.
- Encourage them to stand up for others
What else do you do to combat cyber bullying?