Cyberbullying: How Parents Can Help

With cyberbullying top of mind for many educators and parents, moms and dads are wondering what (if anything) they can do to protect their kids from this brand of bullying. The key, say the experts, lies in preparing kids for life online, teaching them to be good digital citizens, but also having an action plan to deal with cyberbullying. To learn more about cyberbullying—and what parents can do to protect their kids—we spoke with Marlene Snyder, PhD. Snyder is the National Director of Development for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at Clemson University.

Preparing Kids for Life Online
Many school-based bullying prevention training programs teach students the basics of digital citizenship, the importance of having empathy, and that everything they do online adds to their digital footprint. If your child’s school has such a program, there is very likely a parent component. Snyder recommends becoming familiar with the school’s program, especially its social media guidelines and reporting options.

Experts like Snyder believe every parent can be proactive in teaching their kids how play it safe online. The folks at ConnectSafely.org, a nonprofit that aims to help kids and parents learn about safe, civil use of web and mobile technology, urge teens follow these tips to help stop cyberbullying: