October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month which not only involves protecting our data but also protecting people from cyberbullying. While cyberbullying and cybersecurity are different, they both involve harm caused to others through technology. As adults, we understand this but the idea of harm through a digital device can feel very abstract to kids. Since October is also National Bullying Prevention Month, one of the best ways to help kids of all ages defend against cyberbullying is to teach cyber confidence.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying takes place on every digital platform and device. Sending hurtful messages, posting inappropriate photos or videos on social media, hacking accounts, and spreading mean rumors online are examples of cyberbullying.
It can also include excluding people from online groups or chats or instigating others to isolate someone from a peer group. Revealing private information about someone is also considered cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying occurs on social media and through gaming platforms, email, instant messaging apps, and more.
The Impacts of Cyberbullying
Subjecting someone to repeated and unwanted words, images, and actions is harmful. According to the Pew Research Center, 59% of teens in the United State say they’ve been bullied, threatened, or harassed online. The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) indicates that an estimated 15.9% of high school students were electronically bullied in the 12 months prior to the survey. A study by UNICEF found 1 in 3 between the ages of 13-24 in 30 countries have confirmed some form of cyberbullying caused them to skip classes.
Cyberbullying can lead to long-lasting mental health issues as well as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. It also could prevent someone from reaching their full academic potential.
Understanding the consequences of cyberbullying and how to defend against it is important but we can take digital citizenship lessons farther to teach cyber confidence.
5 Ways to Teach Cyber Confidence to Prevent Cyberbullying
Today’s kids are part of the generation that will further define the digital world. It’s necessary to bolster their self-esteem, teach resilience, and encourage self-care. They also need to be taught that the way they treat each other in real life and online matters. Here are 5 ways to teach cyber confidence at home.
1. Engage in Conversations
The internet is not always a friendly environment for our kids but instead of using scare tactics, engage in conversations. Helping kids understand bullying and talking to them about the social media, apps, and sites they’re using shows how much we care. It’s a good idea to help kids understand:
- That it’s ok to come to you, or another trusted adult, when they see, say, or receive something that upsets or scares them
- How to stand up to kids who bully
- It’s just as important to know the people you’re friends with in real life as those online
- What is considered private information and why things like your full name, birthday, home or school address, passwords, photos, and family information shouldn’t be shared with others
- Only people you know should be able to see what you’re sharing
2. Model expected behavior
By modeling behavior we expect from our kids both in-person and online, we set the tone through our interactions with them and those around us. Reinforcing kindness matters because when we work together for a better internet, everyone wins!
3. Encourage reflection
It’s hard to not be impulsive and act, especially when emotions are high. Teaching kids the importance of taking a moment to reflect forces them to pause before reacting. Think time aids them in making better decisions about what to say and how to deliver their message. It can also prevent them from saying or typing things in ways they may regret later. Parents can reinforce the importance of pausing, reflecting, and using words in a positive way, both in-person or through electronic methods of communication.
4. Use negative interactions as teachable moments
Sometimes negative interactions can become the most impactful teachable moments. Kids of all ages are exposed to online and offline behaviors with negative messages that promote bad behavior. While it’s always helpful to have a teachable moment to spark a conversation about what you might do differently, work together to think about how to reframe negative interactions into positive ones.
5. Empower kids to stand up for themselves and their friends
Often our kids feel uncomfortable with what’s going on around them, yet they don’t feel comfortable standing up for themselves or their peers. Instead of being uneasy with what’s happening, they should know they have the power to be upstanders who can change the conversation. Empowering our kids to be upstanders encourages them to take the high road. Let them know it’s always ok to stand up for things they know are wrong.
When kids understand the risks that come from using the internet and digital devices, they’re able to make better decisions to keep themselves safe. By teaching cyber confidence, kids learn to be empowered and stand up for themselves and others to help prevent cyberbullying.
When cyberbullying does happen, StopBullying.gov has helpful steps to take and how to report it to online service providers, law enforcement, and schools.
No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are my own.
