A 2021 Digimune cyberbullying survey of 200 South African parents revealed that over 50% of participating parents in the country said their children had been victims of cyberbullying. This as SA ranks high among cyberbullying incidents.
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Now against this backdrop, Cyber Wellness and Online Safety author and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety, Rianette Leibowitz has partnered with popular chocolate brand Cadbury P.S. to help bring even more awareness to the issue through its #SayItLikeYouMeanIt initiative.
The initiative seeks to reach out to cyberbullying victims and offer an alternative place where they can confidently be linked to expert advice and assistance without a hassle.
“Cyberbullying happens when digital platforms and devices are used to intentionally embarrass or harm someone over long periods of time.
“Victims could become isolated and the spiral of loneliness could lead them to very dark places,” said the wellness speaker.
Leibowitz states that Cyberbullying can take many forms and its tell-tale signs may vary and urges parents and friends to create a safe space for their child to open up and further that the impact of cyberbullying, however subtle, cannot be underestimated.
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“Teenagers and young adults now have to deal with peer pressure from a physical and digital point of view. Plus, they need to navigate the tension between maturity and responsibility.
“This means that both the bully and the bullied can behave and react in ways that may seem out of character.
“The opinions of their peers hold much more sway than they would later in life and that can have some unfortunate consequences,” Leibowitz said.
The partnership has introduced a WhatsApp-based chat line, to assist those who are victims of cyberbullying, or who worry that they may be exhibiting bullying behaviour themselves, with a safe platform to get the help they need.
Lara Sidersky Mondelez SA Category Lead for Chocolate explained how the partnership came about citing that they want to give the youth a non-judgmental space where they can feel like they are heard and can reclaim their power.
“An important part of the initiative is centred on the use of the Cadbury Purple Heart to stand up against bullies.
Based on the idea of building a community of support, users are encouraged to use the Purple Heart emoji in reply to instances of bullying that they may come across on social media and online platforms, and in doing so, show solidarity with victims and deter bullies from continuing,” she said.
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Leibowitz suggests that parents or guardian, use these steps when dealing with children who are being bullied.
• Educate children and teens about cyberbullying.
Explain what the signs are, how to recognise these and let them know that they can come to you for help.
• Help them to identify and articulate what bullying is in their own language.
• Stay up to date on the privacy settings, terms and conditions and usage rights of the platforms your children use.
• Adhere to age restrictions specified by the platforms.
• Use parental control apps and set up a social media or internet usage agreement with your children so that you are both on the same page of what is acceptable or unacceptable online behaviour.
• Be interested and involved in your child’s online world and have regular conversations about the friends they meet, the games they play, and anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
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