Cyberbullying - What Is It and How to Help Protect Kids

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is an intentional, hurtful act by a person or group of people that happens through electronic devices. It usually targets a person who cannot easily defend themself.

Cyberbullying can affect any child who has access to an electronic device. It can take place through cell phones, tablets, e-mail, social media, gaming platforms and/or text messaging

What Are Common Examples of Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying may include:

• Hurtful, foul and/or violent language
• Teasing or mocking
• Sharing personal information (address, phone number) without permission (also called “doxxing”)
• Tricking someone by posing as someone else (referred to as “catfishing”)
• Messaging relentlessly across platforms

How Is Cyberbullying Different from Traditional Bullying?

Cyberbullying can be done anonymously or under a fake profile. It can be done 24/7 and across multiple platforms, such as through online games, text and/or social media.

It’s more ongoing than in-person bullying since once something has been done online, there is a permanent record. Even if the post, video or photo gets deleted, it’s likely to have been backed up or had screen shots taken of it. Additionally, since the bullying is happening on the internet, it can spill into multiple different online platforms and spread rapidly (e.g., “go viral”).

Studies have shown that cyberbullying impacts kids longer than traditional bullying. Cyberbullying creates a “digital footprint” that can continue to follow the victim (and also the bully) for many years.

How Common Is Cyberbullying?

• Nearly half of tweens and teens (46%) have experienced cyberbullying.
• Cyberbullying rates are higher among some underrepresented and minority groups.
  • As many as 61% of transgender students report experiencing cyberbullying.
  • Girls are almost twice as likely to report experiencing cyberbullying than boys.
  • Children from lower income households are at greater risk.

How Does Cyberbullying Impact Kids’ Mental Health?

Cyberbullying can lead to:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma-like symptoms (e.g., feeling jumpy and on edge, intrusive thoughts about the bullying, social withdrawal, lack of trust in others)
• Sleep problems
• Impaired concentration
• School avoidance or academic difficulty
• Substance abuse
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

What Are Signs of Cyberbullying?

Look for a child, tween or teen who is:

• Withdrawn or irritable, especially if that’s a change
• Hiding devices when others enter the room
• Showing a lack of interest in friends or activities they used to enjoy

How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying?

If your child will have access to the internet, have a conversation about cyberbullying including:

• Telling kids what cyberbullying is and what it can look like. Help them understand the harm that it can do to someone.
• Talking about appropriate online behavior. Check out these conversation starters to help. Having a simple rule like “If you wouldn’t say it to me, you shouldn’t say it online,” can be helpful. Explain the harm that cyberbullying can cause others and encourage kindness instead.
• Helping kids understand online privacy and that people online may not be who they say they are. They should know that anything they share with an online friend could later be shared by that online friend with other people.
• Being aware of what your kids are doing online. What are they posting or commenting on? Who do they talk to on their gaming platforms?
• Being clear on what apps they can use and for how long. Our family social media and family gaming plans can help.
• Letting kids know that what happens online can stay there forever. Even if they delete a post or a comment, that doesn’t mean that someone didn’t take a screenshot and share it somewhere else.

What Should I Tell My Kids About Cyberbullying?

• If they see it, whether it’s happening to them or to a friend, don’t engage with it.
• Help them identify a trusted adult who they could turn to for help. Make sure they understand cyberbullying can be serious and they don’t have to handle it alone.
• Take screenshots of harmful comments or posts. This can help when talking to adults about what happened and when reporting the issue.
• Step away from the device or app to reduce the urge to get revenge, which can make the situation worse.
• Block the person on social media, their phone number, etc.
• They can work with a trusted adult to have them develop a plan on how to respond.
• If they see a friend being cyberbullied, have them reach out to that friend privately to check in on them and assure them that it’s not OK to be bullied online.

Who Should I Tell if My Child Experiences Cyberbullying?

Report cyberbullying to the platform – most apps and platforms have a way for users to report behavior that violates their code of conduct.

You may need to notify the school, teachers and/or coach if cyberbullying is happening between students or on a team. Most schools have policies in place and may have a counselor or administrator you can talk with about the situation.

In some cases, you may need to contact the police if the bullying continues, is severe, violates laws and/or keeps getting worse.

If My Child Has Been Cyberbullied, What Should I Do?

First, make sure they know that it’s not their fault, and you will help them.

Follow the steps above to report the cyberbullying.

If your child is experiencing problems going to school, enjoying activities they used to like or having unusually bad moods and any of these concerns lasts for more than two weeks, contact your pediatrician, school counselor or a mental health therapist for help.