The internet has been used as a tool for cyberbullies to spread hate and spread misinformation.
But one thing that’s been missing in recent months is a real solution to cyberbulling: cyberbullish adults who can help their kids avoid the same fate as others who have been targeted by cyberbulls.
Here are five ways to make sure your kids are online safe.
1.
Keep the kids safe by keeping them on the same page.
This is the one rule everyone needs to follow if they want their kids to be safe online.
Parents are supposed to keep their kids safe.
But if a cyberbull has already taken their child offline and posted hateful material online, then it’s important to keep them safe online, too.
That means that if a child is having problems with social distancing, they should be communicating with a parent or guardian so that they can stay online.
And if your kids have questions about the content on the internet, ask them to do their own research about what they are about to read and how to navigate around it. 2.
Be mindful of the content you share.
While many cyberbullers use social media to share offensive, harmful or threatening content, they shouldn’t be doing so for the sake of their own amusement or for any reason that could be construed as promoting hate or spreading misinformation.
Sharing personal information that may be used against you or your family can hurt your child’s feelings and make them feel like they are not valued in their community.
That’s why parents and guardians should be aware of the ways their kids are being targeted.
3.
Know the internet is safe.
While it’s not a safe place to share intimate, private information, parents should be on the lookout for harmful and inappropriate content.
And online privacy settings should be reviewed regularly to make it harder for cyberbully users to access your account.
4.
Know your kids.
Even if you have no idea who the person who posted that hateful post is, it’s still important to be aware.
Cyberbullying has a direct impact on the lives of young people, especially boys and girls.
In some cases, cyberbullys can use their online platform to bully and manipulate young people into giving them harmful information.
As parents, it is our responsibility to make certain that our kids are safe online from the bullies and predators who want to hurt them and others.
5.
Protect yourself.
The internet is a powerful tool for spreading hate, and it can be especially dangerous for people who are younger or older than your kids, or who are transgender.
In this day and age, it can also be hard for adults to keep up with the growing numbers of cyberballysts and online threats.
And parents who aren’t vigilant enough can end up being victims themselves.
Here’s how to make cyberbullaging less of a problem for your kids and more of a positive part of your online life: 1.
Have a plan.
This may seem like common sense advice, but it’s also important to remember that you and your kids will both need to know what you want your kids to do online.
Your plan should be in writing.
But when you have an idea, be sure to keep it as clear and specific as possible so that you can make sure that you know exactly what you are protecting and how you’re protecting it.
If you are unsure about what kind of plan you should have, talk to your child about it and ask what you think the best approach is. 2: Educate your kids about online safety.
Parents can make their own choices about what content to share and what platforms to use when it comes to online safety, but you need to be mindful that your kids should always be on their own, and that the internet can be a powerful place to spread misinformation and promote hate.
Parents should also keep in mind that your online presence is a public space and that cyberbullists will use it to spread false information.
So parents need to take steps to ensure that their children are safe from cyberbullshy bullies who may be trying to recruit them into their online communities.