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Cyberbullying is a very real threat to adolescents. According to DoSomething.org, approximately 37% of kids aged 12 to 17 report having been bullied online, with 30% reporting repeated incidents. As a parent, you can help your pre-teen or teen deal with the effects of cyberbullying. Today, Cheryl Conklin of Wellness Central shares some practical pointers to help concerned parents support their children’s mental health.
Educate kids about cyberbullying
Taking a stand against cyberbullying starts with recognizing the many forms it can take. Often, cyberbullying involves sending direct messages to a person, for example via social media, that are threatening or intimidating. However, there are many other forms of cyberbullying. “Outing” occurs when someone shares another person’s private information online, for example, while “Impersonation” involves pretending to be that person online. Other types of cyberbullying include exclusion, stalking, flaming, and harassing. Acclaimed New York Times Bestselling author Mark Cheverton’s first book, Invasion of the Overworld, explores his experiences with cyberbullies who targeted his son while playing Minecraft.
Protect kids with parental controls
It’s probably unrealistic to try to keep your adolescent child off social media and other internet forums completely. However, you can help control their online access and keep an eye on their activity using parental monitoring tools. For example, parents can block access to certain websites that may be harmful or even get alerts sent to them when indications of cyberbullying are detected.
Recognize signs of adolescent anxiety
If cyberbullying is causing your child stress, they may develop mental health issues like anxiety. As a parent, being able to recognize signs of adolescent anxiety is critical to getting your child the help they need. Examples include trouble concentrating and interruptions in sleeping patterns. If you notice these signs, talk to your child. If they’re reluctant to open up to you, you may want to find a support group in your area that can help. A licensed mental health professional can also help.
Equip your child with coping mechanisms
If your child is showing signs of stress or anxiety due to possible cyberbullying, help them develop a toolkit of coping mechanisms. AACAP has a list of activities pre-teens and teens can try to alleviate stress, like drawing, writing, spending time with a pet, or listening to music. It’s also important to have healthy lifestyle habits that keep stress at bay, like meditating, sleeping enough, and eating well. If your child is still struggling, consider connecting them to a mental health professional.
Boost your child’s confidence
Cyberbullying can take a major toll on your adolescent’s self-esteem. Counteract it by building them up whenever you can. To raise a confident teen, teach assertiveness skills, encourage new opportunities, and give them sufficient freedom while still providing firm guidance. Daily habits like saying positive affirmations in the morning can also be useful. Finally, do your part in praising your child and boosting their sense of self-worth. You can also help by treating them with respect instead of talking down to them.
Be a positive role model
You are your child’s first role model. Even as they get older, they will continue to look up to you. Set a positive example, especially when it comes to managing stress and anxiety. If you use unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking to cope with stress, replace these with healthier habits like meditation. If there is a major stressor in your life, like work, address it. You might find a new job, for example. While you might feel discomfort as you transition careers, ultimately this can be a positive new experience that helps you grow.
As a parent, you want to raise a happy, confident child. Sadly, cyberbullies can harm your kid’s mental health. Follow best practices, like equipping your child with coping mechanisms and setting parental controls on your digital devices, to help keep young people safe.
Cheryl Conklin is a freelance writer and tutor by trade. She is also a blogger, adventurer, traveler, and creator of Wellness Central. She uses wellnesscentral.info to share her thoughts on wellness along with the great resources she finds on her own wellness journey.