Kids can be mean. No matter their age, it happens. So, what does cyberbullying look like?
When you were a child, I am sure you couldn’t have ever imagined a time where children would be bullied without being physically present. The internet is a magical place that has opened up so much possibility and incredible growth, but it is also a space that allowed children to bully one another behind a mask. Now, while children are at home in their safe space, bullies are able to get to them through a chat, a text, an email and more. Just like bullying, there are many forms of cyberbullying.
What does cyberbullying look like?
Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.
Different Types of Cyberbullying
Flaming: Flaming is the use of inappropriate or vulgar language to attack or fight with someone online.
Harassing: Harassing someone is done by repeatedly sending inappropriate, hurtful or hateful messages. Whether the child receiving these message is responsive or not, does not change the fact that these hurtful, hateful messages are being received and are not appropriate.
Outing: Sharing a victim’s secrets or personal information in a public forum is a form of cyberbullying.
Exclusion: Intentionally and publicly excluding someone from a group, and tormenting them after exclusion.
Impersonation: Posing as someone for the purposes of damaging their reputation, inviting an attack, or sharing real or fabricated information about them.
Stalking: Electronically “following” someone and sending them targeted messages with the intention of scaring, harming or intimidating them.
If your child is being bullied, help them to understand that it is not ok and that no one deserves to be treated that way. Help them come up with ways to respond to bullies and intervene when necessary. Work with your child to build up their confidence, but most importantly, keep the lines of communication open so that you always know what is going on. Kidas can help by monitoring communication through their Xbox. We will update you when there is a cyberbullying attack so that you can continue to talk to your child about what is happening.