As technology advances and becomes a part of everyday life, bullying is no longer limited to school yards or street corners.
Cyber-bullying can occur anywhere, even at home, through email, texts, or social media websites.
- What is cyber-bullying?
Cyber-bullying occurs when a child or teen uses the internet, emails, text messages, instant messaging, social media, online forums, chat rooms or other digital technology to harass, threaten or humiliate another child or teen.
Almost anyone with an Internet connection or cellular phone can cyber-bully someone else, often without having to reveal their true identity and making no place, not even home, feel safe for the victim.
The SAPS has compiled a list of tips to help children and parents deal with cyber-bullying.
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Tips for children or teens dealing with cyber-bullying:
- Do not respond.
If someone bullies you, remember that your reaction is usually exactly what the bully wants.
- Do not retaliate.
Responding with similar threats reinforces the bully’s behaviour.
- Save the evidence.
Online messages can usually be captured, saved and shown to someone who can help. Save evidence even if it is minor, as cyber-bullying can escalate.
- Block the bully.
Use preferences or privacy tools to block the person. If it happens while you are chatting, leave the “room” and report any abusive comments to the social media website administrators.
- Reach out for help.
Talk to a friend or a trusted adult who can help.
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Tips for parents and teachers to stop cyber-bullying and prevent cyber-bullying before it starts:
- Teach your children to block communication with cyber-bullies.
- Teach your children to never post or share their personal information online, including their full names, address, telephone number, their school’s name, parents’ names, etc.
- Teach your children to never share their internet passwords with anyone, except you.
- Teach your children to talk to you about their life online.
- Teach your children to not put anything online that they would not want their classmates to see.
- Teach your children to not send messages when they are angry or upset.
- Teach your children to always be as polite online as they are in person.
- Finally, the police appeal to parents to monitor their child’s technology use, regardless of how much the child may resent it.
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