9 ways to protect your kids from cyberbullies

Monitor the sites your kids visit, connect with them on social media, and learn their passwords.

If you understand their technology and are supportive of the issues they face, they may be more inclined to talk to you about what is happening to them or around them. Instead of criticizing them directly, use current events to initiate conversations about privacy, never sending a text or photo they’ll regret sending later, and never posting gossip or hurtful messages or photos online.

Encourage your children to confide in you about what they see online and who they are communicating with. If they don’t feel comfortable telling you, encourage them to confide in another adult that they (and you) trust. Tell them that if they are a victim, they will not be punished and reassure them that being bullied is not their fault.

Explain to your child that it’s your job to keep them safe. Part of that is monitoring their cell phone and internet use.

With cell phone and tablet usage starting as early as the toddler years, it is more important than ever to establish clear rules about when your kids can start using mobile devices without you viewing exactly what they see.

Before you give your kids a cell phone of their own, have a collaborative conversation with them to hash out an agreement you’ll both follow. This might include boundaries such as no phones in the bedroom, no phones overnight in their rooms, phones stay in common areas, and no downloading apps without approval. You will also want to include clear consequences if they break the rules and establish passwords for their phone and apps that you know as well.

After all, kids with cell phones can be more independent, connect better with their peers, and can reach their parents (and their parents can reach them) any time.

To teens and adolescents, the internet is a way to socialize with their friends. They may also turn to technology when their social-emotional needs aren’t met. One way to help combat this is by disconnecting yourself. Give your kids your full attention and establish phone-free family time, so you can all reconnect more effectively.

If, despite everything you do, your child is a victim of a cyberbully, your child may become distressed, anxious, depressed, or worse. Make sure you have insurance coverage that can help you put security measures in place, provide your child with counseling, and even protect you if your child happens to be the bully.

Cyberbullying incidents can raise a wide variety of psychological and legal issues for those involved.  You should consider contacting your lawyer or child’s pediatrician for more specific guidance.