The first thing many people should realize is that there is lots of help in relation to cyberbullying both online and in the real world. This post aims to educate you on the facts and great information and guidance on how you can get help coping with the Cyber bullying.
The Fact’s
It’s most distressing seeing the number of children & adults that are actually victims of the Cyberbully with studies showing nearly 40% of children in the UK being bullied online.
This is Personal to me like it is others!
My niece has recently gone through this type of bullying online and to be honest, I think it really needs nipping in the bud. Luckily we have found out about her case and she was confident and grown up enough to speak out about this, but many children are not that confident and will let this continue to happen to them through fear of repercussions.
How can we combat Cyberbullying?
First things first sit your children down and speak to them about the dangers of the world wide web. You don’t have to scare them, but at least, make them aware surfing the internet can be safe if they follow a few simple rules.
Here are just a few simple solutions to stop cyber bullying.
- Never post your home address, personal mobile number or e-mail address online. Try not to use this information at all unless using a secure connection with a reputable company. Is there really any need for you to input details like this unless you have to for let’s say a delivery.
- If you are getting bullied keep the information and print it out and keep writing the information down so you have a running log of what actually is happening.
- Tell your parents! They can help big time and you will never be criticised for telling them something like this is going on.
- Don’t reply to the messages in some cases this will only fuel the person making them think they really have your attention. Think about it how would you feel if you were just ignored, I bet you can see this will cause them frustration, meaning you are already winning.
- Why not block the cyber bullies out completely, a really easy function with social media things like Facebook and twitter and I am sure you can do this via any social media. Don’t want them to keep contacting you then this is a simple solution.
- Passwords are for your eyes only, just don’t allow anyone access to your things and never tell anyone your password. I am not saying don’t trust anyone but what happens when you fall out! Some people find it really amusing hijacking your Facebook account and posting horrible things about you, your friends and family.
- Photographs can be a good thing just don’t post anything images that can be classed as not appropriate. You don’t want any images of yourself that are out of your control spreading around the web.
- If you are receiving messages via your mobile phone, either change that number or block the person who is doing this to you. At the end of the day, a number can be changed no matter how long you have it and most smartphones have the function that allows you to block anyway.
- Another thing! Don’t let anyone see you in your school uniform. Some people are very manipulative and really can track you from anything, including pictures of your school and maybe your house.
What do I do If I know someone else that is being bullied?
Tell someone because the last thing you want is that type of pressure on your own shoulders at any age. Remember, you can approach your Parents, Their Parents, Teachers or Police Officers.All you have to do is tell someone. Sharing information like this will reduce the problem and make sure that your particular person can be monitored and helped.
Here are some useful contact details:
In the UK, we have Childline which you can call free of charge on – 0800 11 11 offering 24hour help 7 days a week.
How about the Samaritans – 08457 90 90 90 you can also contact them via e-mail jo@samaritans.org
More information can be found on The Beat Bullying website, which has so much more information to help you.
Take a look at Socialis who are supporting the CyberSmile Foundation. They are launching a project this Sunday called #Socailis where people share what social media means to them. You can take part and possibly be featured in the book they are creating. The book will have 140 chapters, from 140 authors who tweeted what social means to them. All proceeds will go to the Cybersmile charity!
Please leave your tips and advice, you really could save someone from this horrible Cyberbullying culture we appear to be experiencing currently.
Liked this post, please share as it may well help others who are suffering in silence! Maybe you could also read the following post:
Such a sad subject, think people need to keep this in the media and parents talk to their children about it
Good, it is always helpful to be aware and know who will help when assistance is needed. Parents want to keep their children safe, they need to be aware, updated and supported. I would like to see and know of organisations which support and advise parents. Also what about adults, Cyber Bullying is it happening to all ages? I think it may be :- Therefore this also needs addressed and supported.
such a worrying subject that everyone needs to be aware of.
Do you have any tips to add for adults getting bullied. Great post though.
Great post, so sad and worrying x
Thank you, and you are right, it is sad and worrying! Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
Bullying is such a close thing to my heart at the moment … it needs to be stopped! It has such a devastating effect on people!
Its is so scary my kids only go on computer when I am there with them. I dread the time when they go on independently I just keep reminding them that they need to be careful and always tell me if something is wrong.
FAB post hun – I hate bullying with a passion and I think this is a great piece and your advice is brilliant. I know of someone who is experiencing this and whilst they are getting the help they need, I will definitely be passing this post to them. Thanks for writing this. #pocolo
Thank you so much just keep spreading the awareness everyone! If it helps just one person, it is worth every minute spent on these types of discussions. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
KidGLloves says – as a close team, we hate any fr0m of bullying and we think this is an awesome post. Grace and Lucas hope your niece has got it sorted now xx #pocolo
Thank you for commenting on this post Rachel xx, I do hope everyone who comes across this page gets the help they need.
I dont think enough people take this seriously, it’s such a shame.
I agree, again lets keep this at the forefront of people’s minds. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
Its good that you have written about this post and made people aware of this topic.
Thank you, let’s just continue to spread the awareness! Thank you for commenting Rachelxx
It’s crazy to think that not that many years ago, this was not even an issue. I’ve seen the movies where a teen’s life is twisted all around from this, and I think it’s even crazier when this cyberbullying leads to suicide. Also, parents who partake in cyberbullying against a child, as I’ve read in news stories, are simply pathetic, and need a fine or charges brought up against them. They should know better.
Years have passed and technology was always going to progress to a point where we are unable to control, I agree anyone who commits theses offences need to really get a grip and grow up! Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
So sad what our kids have to deal with today. This topic always hurts my heart. I am so glad my son is only 3 so I do not have to deal with Cyber bullying yet. Great post!
You are completely correct Kids do have more things to deal with than we did, Life seemed so much simpler before the internet and the introduction of advanced technology. I must say though the internet has so much great content and some of the devices can make life easier. We have to think it’s more about how people use this technology that really makes it hard to monitor. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
Great post highlighting a really important issue. Whist social media is a great addition to society, it also has a lot to answer for in terms of the risks it poses to our children. Cyber stalking is another issue escalating. Making people aware of how they can protect themselves is a great way forward.
Great Advice again! Cyber Stalking is just as bad as bullying and hopefully by making people aware we may just help reduce these types of internet crimes. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
your kids are growing up in a totally different world than we did.
A good post with many good tips.
I know kids have so much technology available to them that it does feel quite difficult to monitor everything they do these days. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
Bullying of any kind can destroy a child’s self-esteem. And never give online accounts to any one who is not trustworthy.
It’s such a shame anyone has their self-esteem destroyed as a result of bullying. I just hope this topic becomes high priority for governments across the world to show the bullies it will not be tolerated. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
This is personal to me working in a school I deal with this daily. It breaks my heart to see the damage it does all the time. It truly needs to be stopped and taken seriously.
You must see this type of abuse more than other’s and it’s so good to know that people who work in schools think the way you do! This should be on top of everyone’s agenda, so Kids and Adults can actually get the help they need and fast, not only that but people need to have access to the help easily. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
What a great post to bring awareness to this.
Thank you for your comment! Hopefully this post will help raise awareness. Rachel xx
There is not an age requirement to be the victim of cyber bullying. You are never too old or too young. It is what it is and you need to speak out.
This is excellent advice! I agree 100%. I Understand that it is not just kids who get this type of abuse. If you are an adult seeking help please please get the help you deserve because contrary to the individuals that make you feel bullied, there are lots of people who actually want to help and may have had similar experiences. Thank you for taking the time to comment Rachel xxx
Thank you so much for addressing this and Cyber Bullying is so scary. I am dreading this for my kids when they are older.
It’s such a shame that we as parents have to worry so far in advance because technology is unable to moderate this type of behavior online. I am sure that if we teach our children these simple steps mentioned in the post, we will give them the tools to be in control. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Rachel xx
such a sad subject but one that needs to be addressed more and people made aware
It is about time people were made aware of this not enough is done about bullying full stop whether it be physical mental of cyber,i have suffered all my life from bullying and have been unable to make new friends and i tend to hide away but even now it happens, more awarenesss groups are need and should be made more public in schools parent groups and support groups no matter where you are there are so many ways people could reach out to others. the bullied need somewhere they can got / talk to when this is going o nso they dont become like me
I could not agree more! Kids and adults need educating when it comes to bullying and it should never go off topic. I do hope you get the help and support you need through the links in this post, they are there to help. I will be looking and working towards addressing this issue on this site because adults are also victims of Cyber bullying and it’s not fair that people are unable to go about their daily lives without anyone to help them. Thank you for commenting Rachel xx
Things like cyberbullying make me realize how much harder our kids have it now than we did. One school my daughter attended worked really hard to prevent bullying. I loved that program and hate that we had to move away from that school.
A brilliant, brilliant post on such an important subject. So sorry for the delay in commenting – thank you for linking to PoCoLo and hope to see you again tomorrow x
This is one thing I am dreading as a parent.
This is a great post. So much goes on on social media it can be very hard to keep tabs on everything your child does/sees. Ignoring and blocking are two great bits of advice, also not being afraid to tell someone is very important.
I was bullied at school and I know how hard it is to deal with when people witness it, never mind when they dont.
I really hope there is an increase in awareness and discussion about bullying as it’s not limited to children.
Thank you for a talking about a subject which can be emotional and upsetting. My son has recently experienced some awful remarks from his so-called friends while playing online. He could not handle the situation because he cannot express how he felt by text. He took it personally and was very upset. It did knock his confidence but with encouragement he is learning how to deal with it.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your son! I do hope he is ok. Friends can be so cruel sometimes and although in many cases, your friends do have harmful banter, some do forget that there is a line and no one should cross that. I also hope your son’s confidence restores too, when you are young it’s hard to recover without good support and it sounds like he has that by having a loving mother like yourself. Thank you for your comment it’s great to see that people are using this article for the help they deserve Rachel x
Very informative and helpful blog thankyou
All forms of bullying need highlighting & stopping!
A very serious and worrying subject, hard to stop as wwll
Parents need to be well educated to what their kids are accessing on the internet as well as ensuring they monitor what is going on via these social networking sites. I personally think these are so very destructive for kids, and anyone with children in secondary school should really examine the benefits that their kids will have, by accessing social networking sites. Kids cannot be cyber-bullied if they do not have accounts. Even the strongest kids are susceptible to cyber-bullying. Persuade your kids to stay away from them and instead communicate in the regular ways to their friends, like the phone or face to face.
All Bullying should be Stopped, it goes on every single day, as I mum I worry about this every single day
I think it should be addressed at school – lessons on bullying and cyber bullying!
its so sad that people do this, its becoming a big concern, I worry about my girls
Great post – I worry about this for when my kids are older!
All forms of bullying needs highlighting, i still dont think schools admit a what really goes on in their school.
Great post with some brilliant tips and advice,thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this post cyber bullying – Another thing to be aware of with older children
This really is one of the major negatives of the internet 🙁 Especially when you read about suicides or attempted, so so sad 🙁
It is so sad that this happens but it does need to be highlighted, thank you.
Thank you for this really important blog post. My eldest daughter has experienced the horrors of cyber bullying and her life was made hell. The school weren’t willing to do anything about it and after a huge battle with our local LEA we have managed to move her into a different school. She is now a very happy, totally different child so I support anything that promotes awareness of bullying.
It is horrible that people cannot get away from bullying even in their own homes. I have heard such sad stories
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