Cyberbullying: What Is It, How It Works, and How To Understand And Deal With It

Bullying is not just a schoolyard phenomenon anymore. The school bully can harass your child in, and from, the comfort of home. When this happens, your child becomes the victim of cyberbullying; sending or posting harmful or cruel text and/or images using the internet or other digital communication devices. Experts offer the following pointers for parents:

• Tell your child you want to know if they are being cyberbullied. Reassure them that they won't lose computer or online access
• Stress that they should not respond to the bully
• Always print out and save cyberbullying messages
• Teach your child never to post he/she wouldn't want others to read
• Have your child change his/her screen name and give it only to those he/she trusts
• If the bully attends your child's school, show the printouts to school officials and work to resolve the conflict
• If threats are made, call the police and your internet service provider so that they can investigate and can cancel the bully's account

If your child is being cyberbullied and needs help, feel free to contact the JFS Counseling Center. The Counseling Center offers services on a sliding-fee scale and accepts most insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid.

--Kari Alpen and Alaina Green, JFS Marketing Department

Adapted from Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
Photo from http://www.ua.edu/