The Internet can be a valuable research tool for your kids and, of course, it allows them to communicate with their teachers and friends. Warning: More and more children are discovering that the Internet can provide easy access for bullies.
Nearly 45 percent of teens say they have been bullied through the Internet. “Bullies now use chat rooms, instant messages (IM), text messages, e-mail and social networking sites to taunt,” says Children’s Hospital’s adolescent specialist Jonathan R. Pletcher, MD. You didn’t know? That’s not surprising. These kids aren’t likely to tell their parents or another responsible adult, reports the National Crime Prevention Council. It’s up to you to discuss online safety with your kids. “Just as we teach our children how to interact responsibly in person, on the phone or in any setting, we should do the same with the Internet,” says Dr. Pletcher.
- Encourage them to talk with you about online messages that make them feel uncomfortable or threatened. You need to inform the teacher or other school officials if the bully is a classmate.
- Remind them they can protect themselves by not giving out their cell phone number, IM name or e-mail address to anyone they don’t know.
- Just as you would counsel them to walk away from a bully on the playground, set up blocking software to prevent bullies from contacting your kids through IM programs.