The internet provides a space for learning, playing games, communicating with friends, or sharing experiences on social networks. But these opportunities also come with certain risks. Among the most serious is cyberbullying, which affects a growing number of children. That’s why it’s very important for parents to know all the potential risks and to have enough information to spot the warning signs of cyberbullying and understand how to respond.
Children are growing up in an age of technology and often encounter mobile phones or tablets at a very early age. However, they do not have enough experience and skills to respond on their own to the threats of the internet. Cyberspace is not only a place of fun and discovery, but also an environment where inappropriate behavior and negative patterns can easily develop.
Cyber risks – what do children face online?
The internet is a seemingly anonymous space where children often feel freer than in the real world. Unfortunately, anonymity brings not only positive aspects, but also the risk of encountering cyber aggressors, predators, or scammers who may try cyberbullying on children. One of the most common risks is encountering inappropriate content such as violent videos, vulgar communication, explicit photos, or extremist material. Dangerous individuals can also emerge in the online world—people who manipulate children for the purpose of sexual abuse or extortion. Other risks include fraudulent sites, phishing attacks, fake prize wins, or fictitious gaming accounts. In their excitement, children often enter their personal data on sites that adults would never click. This can easily endanger family finances, and problems with viruses or crime related to data leaks can also occur.
What is cyberbullying and how can we recognize it?
Cyberbullying represents repeated, targeted, and intentional harm to a specific person via digital media, especially the internet and social networks. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying has no boundaries—the aggressor can enter a child’s life at any time, practically without respite, even at night. Common manifestations include insulting comments and messages, mocking photos or videos that are published without the child’s consent.
Cyberbullying is often very well hidden, and children may find it difficult to confide in their parents. A child may suddenly withdraw, be nervous, become closed off, show mood swings, experience changes in sleep patterns, or suddenly refuse to use a phone or social media. Psychosomatic difficulties such as stomachaches or headaches may appear.
How to respond to cyberbullying – what to do when you discover it?
If you find out that your child is a victim of cyberbullying, rule number one is to listen to them and offer support. Record evidence of cyberbullying (screenshots of messages, saved emails, or links to inappropriate content). Evidence stored on a computer or phone is crucial if you want to address the situation later for example with the police or the school—these institutions do not take the situation lightly and can help resolve problems both with the perpetrator and by providing psychological support for the child. Depending on the severity, take your child to psychotherapy.
Teach children about safe use of the internet, set rules for browsing, restrict inappropriate sites on their devices, talk about possible risks, and teach them to act responsibly in the online environment.
Cyberbullying is a serious topic, but with sufficient information you can successfully detect it, stop it, and help your child. Do not forget to communicate with children about online risks early and regularly, set boundaries for them, and provide the safety they need.