Welcome to Day 10 of Bully-Proofing Your Child. This week’s topic is cyberbullying and online safety. Gone are the days when bullying ended as soon as children walked through their front door. Now, bullying can reach them at home, making it harder to escape unwanted social pressures. In a world where many kids have their own electronic devices, it’s especially important to discuss online safety.

The privilege of having a personal device comes with the responsibility of using it appropriately and having the necessary “street smarts” to stay safe. First, let’s define “using devices appropriately.” You’ll want to talk to your child about which online behaviors are acceptable, and which are not, as well as the potential consequences of inappropriate actions.

Understanding Cyberbullying

Make sure your child knows what constitutes cyberbullying. According to Krazier (2007), examples include:

Pretending to be someone else
Posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone
Spreading rumors or gossiping, with or without using a blind carbon copy (BCC)
Sexual harassment
Threats or stalking behaviors

Promoting Online Safety

It’s also essential to discuss how to stay safe online. Krazier (2007) suggests the following:

Install parental controls appropriate to your child’s age and skills
Keep electronics in shared living spaces
Stay informed about new ways kids communicate online (social media, chat rooms, etc.)
Set and enforce rules for information sharing and internet usage
Don’t hesitate to check up on your child’s online interactions
Show genuine interest in your child’s electronic activities
Know how to access browsing history, blogs, and visited sites
Teach your child to be wary of “red flag” statements from potential online predators, such as:

“Where’s your computer?”
“Let’s go private.”
“What’s your number?”
“What is your address?”
“Let’s meet in person somewhere private.”
“If you don’t do what I ask, I’ll tell your parents or post your picture.”

It’s crucial that children feel safe coming to you if they ever feel scared or threatened online—even if they’ve broken a rule. Their safety is the top priority. If they fear punishment, they might hide the situation, which can make them more vulnerable.

Looking Ahead

Stay tuned for the grand finale—Day 11—where we’ll talk about advocating for others and wrap up this series.

Are you worried you child is engaging in bully type behaviour and don’t know how to prevent it? Are you concerned your child has become a target? Are you wanting to enhance your child’s ability to be assertive and stand up for themselves, or learn how to be assertive without being aggressive? If so, the team at Eckert Psychology & Education Centre is here to guide you and your child on your journey towards assertiveness. Book your initial intake appointment today at www.eckertcentre.com and click the “Book an Appointment” button. You can also email us at info@eckert-psychology.com for more information. Remember, psychology services are covered by most extended health insurance plans.

Kymberley is a Registered Psychologist at Eckert Psychology & Education Centre. In her role, Kymberley provides counseling services for children and youth, parent support counselling, and counselling service for adults with developmental delays. Kymberley is an EMDR-Child Specialist whose practice is Theraplay informed. Kymberley is further trained in attachment-based counselling for children and parents, trauma, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Kymberley’s passion is working with children and those that love them. She believes in their incredible capacity to be resilient when life asks difficult things from them.

References:
Krazier, S. (2007). 10 Days to a Bully-Proof Child: The Proven Program to Build Confidence and Stop Bullies for Good. New York, NY: Marlowe & Company.