| Worried about cyber-bullying? With all the recent | | | | authority figure. Encourage your child to consider how |
| news about bullying that ends in tragedy, it can be | | | | it would feel to be bullied before they attack another |
| frightening to think that your child may be the victim | | | | child online. |
| of cyber-bullying without you even finding out that | | | | Keep The Computer In A Public Area |
| something was wrong. Luckily, there are some simple | | | | Keep your computer in a public area if at all possible |
| things that you can do that will help you protect your | | | | so you can see your child while they are online. If |
| child from potential cyber-bullying and deal with it well | | | | your child has trouble, they will frequently show it |
| if it happens. | | | | with body language and attitude long before they will |
| Listen To Your Child | | | | be ready to talk about it. You don't need to stand |
| One of the best ways to make sure your child is | | | | over their shoulder or watch what they do, but |
| doing alright is by simply paying attention to what | | | | having a basic awareness of how they behave when |
| they tell you. If you child mentions an uncomfortable | | | | at a computer can help you know in advance if a |
| internet moment or incident in passing, listen to what | | | | problem is coming. |
| they say. Try not to get too overbearing, but make | | | | Respond To Problems |
| time to sit down and talk about it whenever they're | | | | If your child comes to you with a cyber-bullying |
| ready. | | | | problem, take it seriously. Take any steps you need |
| Watch Your Child's Signals | | | | to take to make sure the bullying stops, and don't be |
| You know your teen better than anyone, so keep an | | | | afraid to call in help from the school or the police if |
| eye out for behavior that may seem sullen, moody, | | | | you feel it is necessary. If your teen is having a lot |
| or out of character. While normal teenage problems | | | | of trouble, consider taking them to a counselor to |
| all lead to these behaviors, you will recognize a | | | | deal with the emotional backlash of being bullied. |
| severe issue in your child by catching behavior that | | | | Try To Understand |
| seems out of character for them. | | | | It can be really easy to minimize the problems a child |
| Talk To Your Child About Cyber-bullying | | | | or teen is going through when seen through the eyes |
| One of the best things you can do to make sure | | | | of a few more years of experience. Remember that |
| your child is able to deal with a bullying situation online | | | | things that may seem minor to you can be major |
| or offline is through simply going over what they plan | | | | problems that will leave your child feeling miserable. |
| to do if something happens. Make sure your child has | | | | Treat your child's problems with the seriousness and |
| an adult they would feel comfortable telling if a | | | | importance your child gives them, especially when |
| cyber-bullying situation got out of hand, and | | | | you talk to them. Make sure they know you are |
| remember that adult does not have to be you if | | | | available to help if they need it. |
| they'd prefer to go to a teacher or other type of | | | | |