Remember the days when the schoolyard punk would come up to you or someone you knew and threaten them until they gave up their lunch money? Well, those days aren’t over. And back in my day, we got to go home at the end of the day to get away from the mean kids.
In today’s world, bullying doesn’t stop there. Cyberbullying refers to the threatening or harassment of another via digital media. With the rise of social media, kids can be tormented endlessly by other children, even at home. Many kids are afraid to come forward about it, mainly because they find it embarrassing. Instead of hearing a comment at school and ignoring it, they have it written in a text message or email that can be read over and over again.
The psychological trauma of bullying is real. Anxiety, fear, self-esteem issues, and depression all stem from this negative treatment. With cyberbullying, there is no relief from it. Teachers, neighbors, friends, and family may not overhear what’s going on because your child is receiving threatening messages over a digital medium instead of by word of mouth. Many schools have vague rules regarding cyberbullying if any at all.
Educating your kids about cyberbullying and the harm it causes is the best way to prevent it. Ensure they understand that it’s ok to come forward if they are being bullied. Enforce strict punishment if they are found bullying others. If you or a loved one are a victim of cyberbullying, speak up, and inform the proper authorities.
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