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Wednesday, October 12th has come to be known as National Stop Bullying Day.

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We’re sure that by now you’re all aware of at least some of the digital dangers that await your kids on their smartphones, tablets and computers. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here reading this post. Regardless of what you know (or don’t) about cyberthreats, we felt it was worth taking the time to dive into one specific cyberthreat. Cyberbullying.

[Cyberbullying](https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it) is a type of bullying that happens over digital devices like smartphones, computers and tablets. It can take place over any medium through which content is shared including SMS, messaging apps, IMs, social media and even in multiplayer games. Boiled down to its essence, cyberbullying can be defined as the sharing or sending of negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone else. The sharing of personal or private information about someone without prior consent is also considered a widespread form of cyberbullying. 

Here’s some fresh [stats](https://cyberbullying.org/2019-cyberbullying-data) about cyberbullying to help you understand just how prevalent and common it has become today.

Yes, cyberbullying is a problem that your kids will most likely encounter at some point in their lives. Parental control apps like FamilyKeeper help protect your kids by alerting you to any problematic language or behavior across different social media apps and platforms. But that’s not enough. The better you prepare your kids for appropriate, safe digital behavior, the more secure they will be while on their devices. 

Cyberbullying comes in many shapes and forms. The more you know about the different tactics, the better you will be equipped to deal with them. From nude photo sharing, spreading lies and false accusations, to creating fake profiles to solicit information, and encouraging self-harm or suicide, the list is long.

Like any other problematic behavior, there are ways to pick up on whether your child is being cyberbullied, or is cyberbullying others. For example, increased (or decreased) usage of devices and strong emotional responses to what is happening on their device are warning signs. Other signs to watch out for include a child hiding their device or refusing to discuss what they’re doing on it, along with depression or withdrawal from social activities.

Along with using FamilyKeeper, a great way to protect your kids from cyberbullying is to establish rules and talk about what you consider to be appropriate types of content and digital behavior. By creating an open, honest dialog with your kids you can convey your values and expectations. Discuss the importance of maintaining a good online reputation and educate about the harmful effects of cyberbullying. Be very clear about the type of content you think your kids should be sharing or seeing. Set up limitations on usage and screen time and always set an example of displaying positive, respectful behavior when using your own digital devices. 

Another way to prevent negative digital experiences is to teach your kids appropriate actions to take if they’re witnessing cyberbullying. Teach them that they should never share or “like” hurtful texts or other forms of cyberbullying and should consider responding privately to the person doing it. Consider reaching out to the targeted child to publicly show that cyberbullying is negative behavior that isn’t supported by the majority.

FamilyKeeper is a leading parental control app that gives you tools to prevent cyberbullying and other digital dangers. Advanced monitoring across social media apps and messaging platforms alert you to any dangerous or suspicious behaviors.

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In the wake of World Bullying Prevention Month, cyberbullying awareness has impacted even more on the international consciousness. With the number of young people engaging in social media constantly increasing, it is important to teach the younger generation, as well as their parents and teachers, how to approach cyberbullying properly.

Part of the problem when discussing cyberbullying with youngsters is that it may be difficult to define – for some, the lines between what is acceptable and what isn’t can become blurred. We need to be extremely conscious of what we post online or send in instant messaging – especially when it can often be difficult to read between the lines, and intonation and inflection can be misinterpreted.

The United States official anti-bullying website [defines](https://www.stopbullying.gov/) cyberbullying as:

‘… bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.’ 

Additionally, although many people may be unaware of this, cyberbullying also has the potential to cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

When discussing cyberbullying with your children, it’s hugely important to keep the lines of communication open. The more confident youngsters feel in discussing their online activity, the more autonomy it will give them in terms of pushing back against cyberbullies.

Last fortnight, at the the World Anti-Bullying Forum held in Stockholm, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant revealed that in Australia, research showed that 64% of young people who have experienced negative online behavior are taking proactive measures to block or unfriend people who had bullied them online – a significant increase from 46% of young people in 2017.

Teaching students to have the wherewithal to be able to block, unfriend or report cyberbullying behavior is a good first step for youngsters to be able to safely navigate social media, and to feel more empowered in their online experiences.

Using a parental control app such as FamilyKeeper can help both kids and parents to become aware of what is happening in their child’s social media career. Parents and children can discuss together: What is inappropriate content? Which words are offensive? Which sites should be avoided? Which apps can we block? Is this user or contact having a negative effect on me?

Thankfully, recent cyberbullying campaigns seem to be paying off, with many countries joining in the international war to combat this form of abuse. On November 4th, Morocco, France, Mexico and UNESCO signed a new declaration to address school bullying and cyberbullying, the “Campeche Declaration against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying”, which aims to eradicate bullying from educational institutions by 2027.

## What part can I play?

☑️ Downloading and using a parental control app, such as FamilyKeeper, is the first step in keeping your family safe from cyberbullying.

☑️ FamilyKeeper alerts parents when suspicious behaviour occurs, aiding in cyberbullying prevention.

☑️ Setting parameters: FamilyKeeper allows you to decide which social media apps or online sites can be accessed from your child’s device.

☑️ Setting a digital schedule: Don’t let digital devices overrun your family life – setting a schedule can help ensure children still have time for after-school activities, homework and quality time with family, helping to limit the opportunity for cyberbullying activity to occur.

Thursday, November 1st was UNICEF’s International Day Against Violence and Bullying. Their Celebrity Advocate, the influential Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurana, has been praised by the parenting community for his active call to condemn all forms of bullying:

‘As parents, teachers and family members, it’s our collective responsibility to ensure that all children are aware of how to stay safe online, to create a safe space where children who experience online violence do not hesitate to seek help. Together, let us make the internet a safer place.’

One can only wholeheartedly agree with this goal, and share in this vision.

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Did you know that 65% of kids have experienced cyberbullying?

The scary thing about cyberbullying is that it can happen to anyone using social networking sites – for three main reasons:

◼️ Time spent on screens and social media has drastically increased  – on average 7.5 hours a day

◼️ 56% of children are being exposed to so much online content, much of it inappropriate

◼️ Bullies take advantage of anonymity on social media platforms – 2020 alone saw almost 2 billion fake profiles on social media.

Our goal is to prevent your child from experiencing cyberbullying. After extensive research surrounding the causes, the symptoms and the antidotes, we’ve put together 5 Pillars of Cyberbullying Prevention for parents to easily implement in the fight against cyberbullying:

⭐Perceive 

⭐Prepare

⭐Pre-empt

⭐Protect

⭐Parental Control Apps

Follow these 5 steps to keep your children safe, and keep your mind at ease.

## 1) Perceive

Are we aware of what’s going on around us? 

There are some symptoms that kids display if they are experiencing cyberbullying – including:

- Withdrawing from family and friends
- An unexplained decline in school grades
- Refusal to go to school
- Signs of depression or sadness
- Angry or upset behavior after using their phone or being online

Often it’s a lack of communication that can cause the first warning signs to develop into something even more serious. How many kids approach a parent when something suspicious or hurtful is happening online? Would they confide in someone else, like a friend or teacher?

Communication and trust are your top tools to making sure your child feels they can approach you to talk about any worries.

## 2) Prepare

Parents and children should both be aware of possible dangers.

The Parent: Educate yourself regarding the apps and platforms. How are they used? What are the dangers? Are there privacy controls? 

Check out what safeguards are available on these sites: for example, Snapchat has changed it’s ‘Quick Add’ friends suggestion to make it impossible to add users under 18, unless there are a certain number of friends in common.

The Child: Speak to your children before they even begin to use social media and online chats.  – it’s crucial that you explain to your child why they should be careful about what they post online. Have conversations with your child to discuss appropriate online etiquette, how we speak to others online, and what messages or images are appropriate to send.

## 3) Pre-Empt

Educational institutions should be clamping down before cyberbullying occurs.

We all need to work together – parents, teachers, guardians, governing bodies – to battle cyberbullying. Many countries around the world are now passing legislation to make cyberbullying illegal and encouraging social media platforms to impose more safeguards.

Without embarrassing or drawing drawing unwanted attention to your child, there are some tactful ways to get involved:

◼️ Speak to your child’s school and check what kind of workshops around this topic they may be running – do they discuss it during Circle Time?  

◼️ Promote zero-tolerance policies for cyberbullying 

◼️ Encourage early intervention in schools – there may be warning signs occurring in the classroom or the playground: tears, withdrawn behavior, kids refusal to join others at break etc.

◼️ Create a culture of responsibility – bystanding is not an option

## 4) Protect

If your child HAS been exposed to cyberbullying, they may be under a great deal of emotional strain. It’s difficult to watch your child hurting inside – and no one wants to think of their child as a bully either. You and your child both need support and guidance on what to do next.

How should you respond to a cyberbully? We know it’s easier said than done – but there are a few things you can do to stop cyberbullying in its tracks. First and foremost: your child should know that it’s not their fault – no one asks to be bullied, and no one deserves to be victimized. Together with your child, you can take some of these steps:

◼️ Block the contact

◼️ Report them to the platform moderator

◼️ Get outside help – speak to a family member, friend or teacher

◼️ Update privacy settings to a level where only people your child knows can interact with them

## 5) Parental Control Apps

One of the most significant steps you can take to prevent cyberbullying is to use a parental control app, as it can help you to understand what your child may be experiencing online. Studies have shown that cutting your child off from online activity completely is not the answer – social media, instant messaging and online gaming are some of the primary ways in which kids connect to others. Restricting technology or taking away their device only isolates them more, and is often a reason why kids won’t report cyberbullying.

Instead, using a parental control app can help you empower your child, and navigate online activity together, in a safe way.

Thousands of families are already using the FamilyKeeper parental control app every single day, to help their kids navigate the dangers of the online environment. 

With FamilyKeeper, you can:

☑️ Receive notifications and real-time alerts if offensive language is used

☑️ Monitor photos and saved images on your child’s device

☑️ Track conversations and content across a range of social media platforms

☑️ Set screen time limitations 

And more!

For further information, or to download the app, visit Google Play Store. 

_An earlier version of this article appeared in https://medium.com/reasonlabs_

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_**“Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never harm me”**_

Unfortunately, this age-old adage is no longer true – and in fact one of the most harmful scenarios these days is cyberbullying and trolling.

The increase in social media channels and internet use, coupled with the sheer amount of time spent online, are both huge factors in the advent of cyberbullying. Screen time has increased dramatically since the covid-19 pandemic hit, with kids aged 8- 10-years-old spending around 6 hours a day online, and kids aged 11- 14-years-old spending around 9 hours a day online.

Kids are also accessing the internet at a younger age – even if they don’t own a device themselves, many parents let their kids dabble on their own tablets or smartphones.

As a result, cyberbullying is also beginning at a younger age – and even scarier, research has shown that the effects of bullying can still be seen over four decades later. 

Cyberbullying can happen to anyone using social networking sites. Harassment via social media is causing huge amounts of stress, anxiety and mental health issues, especially amongst teenagers.

Your child may enjoy the benefits of social media platforms like TikTok,  Snapchat, Instagram etc. They may be using these sites to make new friends, post photos, and stay up-to-date with social trends. 

But these platforms are the easiest places for cyberbullying to take place. More often than not, parents have no idea what kind of content their child is being exposed to, or who their child has connected with on social media. 

Bullies take advantage of this: they can set up fake accounts to hide their identity, and then they attack by making insensitive, hurtful and insulting comments on other people’s pictures and posts. When cyberbullies don’t use their real identities, it becomes easy for them to target anyone as they know they’re unlikely to be caught and held accountable. This adds to the victim’s feelings of helplessness. 

According to DoSomething.org, a US-based non-profit fighting for social change, “4 out of 5 students (81%) say they would be more likely to intervene in instances of cyberbullying if they could do it anonymously.” It’s a sad irony that cyberbullies thrive on anonymity – and their would-be opponents would prefer the shield of anonymity before they act. There’s a fear around intervening and standing up to the bullies – but this is exactly what needs to happen in order for us to nip bullying in the bud.

## What is International Stand Up To Bullying Day?

International Stand Up to Bullying Day is a semi-annual event to raise public awareness around bullying in all its forms. The event takes place in schools, workplaces, and organizations in 25 countries around the globe on the third Friday of November to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week, and then again on the last Friday of February.

Supporters of Stand Up To Bullying Day wear pink shirts, an initiative started in 2007 by Travis Price and David Shepherd, two Nova Scotian students who took a stand for a fellow student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school.

When International Stand Up to Bullying Day first burst onto the scene, the main focus was bullying within schools. But over the last decade and a half, as cyberbullying has increased exponentially, the need to stand up to bullying in all its forms has become even more prevalent.

## How Can We Stand up to Cyberbullying?

### Education

Opening up the conversations around what is acceptable or unacceptable to post on social media is the first step. Body-shaming, revenge porn, hurtful comments, embarrassing photos – don’t do to someone what you wouldn’t want them to do to you. 

Parents, teachers, schools, universities and other educational institutions have a responsibility to try to stamp out bullying in all its forms. Organizations such as the Anti-Bullying Alliance offer resources and tools to implement anti-bullying programs.

### Don’t Be a Bystander

For every generation: If you or someone you know has been a victim of bullying, cyber or otherwise – or you are aware of someone doing the bullying – it’s important to speak up. There are ways to do this tactfully, in order for the situation not to escalate – but standing by and doing nothing is not an option. 

Do not encourage bullying and do not participate in it. Instead, try and find ways to support the victim.

Parents, teachers, guardians, social workers, friends – encourage your kids to find someone who they feel comfortable speaking with. Cyberbullying can also easily happen amongst adults as well – it’s something to be aware of at any age.

### Provide Tools to Cope

As a parent, you need to give your kid the tools to cope with cyberbullying. We need to give youngsters the confidence to disclose any worries they may have, keep the lines of communication open, and provide kids with an understanding of their own self-worth.

When it comes to cyberbullying in particular, a parental control app is a great tool to help families combat cyberbullying together. An app such as FamilyKeeper is designed to pre-empt and prevent cyberbullying by offering parents alerts when incendiary keywords are used, and notifying parents about specific websites and social media behaviors.

This International Stand Up To Bullying Day, let’s try to increase awareness surrounding bullying and cyberbullying in any form, and take active steps to prevent it from happening.

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#Cyberbullying