Cyberbullying

As the digital world continues to evolve, it is very important for parents to be aware of their children’s online activity. Posting harmful or negative content online may not only harm others, but can affect a child’s online reputation, which can have negative implications for future employment or college admission. Take steps to protect your child from harmful digital behavior.

• Monitor your child’s social media accounts, apps, and browsing history
• Review or reset your child’s phone location and privacy settings
• Follow or friend your child on social media sites or have another trusted adult do so
• Stay up-to-date on the latest apps, social media platforms, and digital slang
• Charge a child’s cell phone in a parent’s room at night so as to reduce unmonitored activity

Use parental controls and monitoring software on your child’s devices. There are free software options and apps available to help parents restrict content, block websites, and view a child’s online activity. Consider your child’s age and device use when selecting monitoring software - what is appropriate for a ten-year-old may not be useful for a teen.

Parents can create trust with their children by having open, honest discussions that communicate values and expectations about appropriate digital behavior.

• Set clear expectations and establish that having a cell phone and social media accounts is a privilege
• Make sure your child understands that their digital activity will be monitored
• Educate your child about the harmful effects of cyberbullying, posting hateful content, sexting, and sharing naked photos of themselves or others
• Be clear about what content can be viewed or shared
• Identify which apps are appropriate for your child to use and which are not
• Establish limits on the amount of time your child can spend online or using their device
• Model positive, respectful digital behavior on your own devices and social media accounts
• Know your child’s user names and passwords for email and social media accounts. If your child changes a password without telling you, take away their device/social media privileges as the consequence

If you suspect your child is being cyberbullied, report it immediately so it can be addressed.

• Do not respond to and do not forward cyberbullying messages
• Keep evidence of the cyberbullying - save and print screenshots, emails, and text messages
• Block the person who is cyberbullying

REPORT CYBERBULLYING TO YOUR SCHOOL
Cyberbullying can create a disruptive environment at school and is often related to in-person bullying. The school can use the information to help address the situation.

REPORT CYBERBULLYING TO ONLINE SERVICE PROVIDERS
Cyberbullying often violates the terms of service of social media sites and internet service providers. Report cyberbullying activity to the social media site so they can take action against users abusing their terms of service.

REPORT CYBERBULLYING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
If the cyberbullying involves threats of violence, child pornography, sexually explicit messages/photos, stalking, or hate crimes, report the activity to law enforcement.

There are two kinds of online privacy. Personal privacy refers to your child’s online reputation and consumer privacy refers to the data companies can collect about your child during an online interaction or transaction. Both are important, and a few simple steps can help parents and kids keep their private information private.

• LOCATION SERVICES - Turn off location services. This prevents apps from tracking your location.
   
• SOCIAL LOGINS - When you log onto a site with your Facebook or Google username or password, you may be allowing the app to access information from your profile. Read the fine print to know what you are sharing.
   
• DATA SHARING - Do not let apps share data. Some apps want to use information stored on your phone (i.e. contact list).
   
• APP PRIVACY SETTINGS - Enable privacy settings on apps and social media sites you use. Make sure your child uses strict privacy settings on social media services and online gaming. Set the settings yourself and monitor them frequently.

Consider using the following strategies:

• Turn off your child’s Wi-Fi accessibility at night
• Keep your child’s cell phone charger in your room. Your child does not need 24/7 access to their phone
• Have your child “turn in” their gaming console remotes or power cords nightly

Consider using these conversation starters:

• What sites and apps are you using? 
• Have you ever seen something online you did not want to see?
• Do you ever talk to people online you do not know? 
• What do you talk about?
• How do you decide who to add as a friend on social media?
• What would you do if someone sent you a text or photo that was inappropriate?
• Have you ever talked with someone you first met online on your cell phone?