Cyberbullying has become a serious issue affecting teens and young adults. With smartphones, social media, and the internet so readily available, bullies now have countless ways to target victims online. This can leave parents and carers feeling worried about keeping their teens safe. However, there are steps you can take to help protect the young people in your care from cyberbullying.
Have an open and honest conversation with your teen about cyberbullying. Explain what it is and make sure they understand how it can negatively impact mental health and self-esteem. For teens you foster with fosteringpeople.co.uk who have recently come into your care, be sensitive to the fact they may not yet feel comfortable opening up. Give them time to adjust and create an environment of trust. When they are ready, ask how their online experiences have been in the past. Knowing their history with cyberbullying can help you better protect them.
Ensure your teen knows how to identify cyberbullying and handle situations appropriately. Explain that comments intended to harass, threaten or humiliate are unacceptable, even if passed off as “just joking”. Provide examples of cyberbullying, like hostile text messages, emails or social media posts, as well as image sharing without consent. Outline strategies for responding, such as blocking bullies and reporting inappropriate content. Importantly, remind them cyberbullying is never the victim’s fault.
Set clear guidelines for how your teen should conduct themselves online. They should always be respectful towards others and avoid engaging in cyberbullying themselves. Highlight that once something is posted online it can be difficult to take back. Make sure your teen understands the importance of considering how their online actions can affect others. Foster teens may need extra support developing these skills.
Aim to maintain a balance between your teen’s online and offline activities. Set reasonable limits on screen time and be aware of what apps or sites they are using. For foster teens, use supervision to help keep them safe while you build trust. Also pay attention to signs of excessive smartphone or internet use, as this can indicate issues like cyberbullying or internet addiction.
Make use of parental control tools provided by your internet service provider, mobile phone provider, or third-party software. These allow you to restrict usage time, filter inappropriate content, view browsing history and block particular sites or apps. Discuss restrictions with your teen and encourage them to speak up if they feel controls are too limiting. Adjust as needed, but some monitoring is usually still appropriate.
Watch for potential signs your teen may be involved in cyberbullying, like anxiety around using their phone, hiding screen content from you, or an unwillingness to go to school. They may also withdraw from family and friends or have new tech gifts you didn’t provide. Ensure you are having regular conversations to stay on top of any issues.
If you discover your teen is the victim, perpetrator or witness of cyberbullying, stay calm and let them know you are there to help. Report serious cases of bullying or illegal content to relevant authorities. You may also want to contact your teen’s school for advice on handling the situation. Consider seeking guidance from a counsellor, psychologist or youth mentor if cyberbullying has significantly impacted your teen’s mental health and wellbeing.
While cyberbullying presents very real risks, parents and carers can take proactive steps to protect the young people in their care.
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