Introduction

Parents Should Understand Cyberbullying Because...

• Cyberbullying is a major problem affecting adolescents of all backgrounds
• They will be able to take steps to mitigate or avoid the risk of their child becoming a victim of cyberbullying
• They will be able to identify if their child becomes a victim of cyberbullying
• They will be able to properly assist their child if they become a victim of cyberbullying

What The Research Says About Cyberbullying

• Cyberbullying is defined as “an aggressive act or behavior that is carried out using electronic means by a group or an individual repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself” (Baldry et al., 2016).
• Unlike traditional bullying, there are usually no witnesses of cyberbullying incidents to report or recall the situation
• The most dangerous characteristic of cyberbullying is its anonymity - the internet gives bullies a platform to spread hateful and hurtful content while being able to mask their identity
• Middle school and high school aged students are the most likely to engage in cyberbullying
• Cyberbullying has become more common as more people gain access to the internet and social media
• In many cases, victims of cyberbullying suffer from psychological stress that may not be visible to others
• Many teens who are victims of cyberbullying, feel very isolated since there is little that they can do to stop the bullying

Expert Insight

"Cyberbullying is much more vicious" than traditional bullying - Amanda Jernigan, Cyberbullying Expert

Interview with Amanda Jernigan from Mazzitti and Jullivan Counseling Services - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Challenges with Cyberbullying

• Many victims of cyberbullying are afraid to report incidents of bullying in fear that they will be labeled a "snitch" by their peers
• Many victims of cyberbullying do not report incidents of bullying because they have the perception that adults will have a dismissive attitude towards their concerns
• Cyberbullying is often very difficult to track due to the complicated nature of the internet

Cyberbullying in Schools

• Cyberbullying typically starts at school in the form of traditional bullying, then spreads to the internet
• Since victims of cyberbullying get bullied at school and on the internet, they never truly escape the harassment
• Most schools place a strong emphasis on empathy in the classroom to mitigate the threat of cyberbullying
• Many schools incorporate digital citizenship in their curriculum to educate students on appropriate internet usage
• Most schools have guidance counselors and other resources available to students for incidents of cyberbullying

Key Takeaways Parents Should Remember About Cyberbullying

• It is important to monitor your child's internet usage for anything unusual as it could be a sign your child is a victim of bullying
• It is important to monitor your child's behavior for anything unusual as it could be a sign your child is a victim of bullying
• Cyberbullying typically starts at school in the form of traditional bullying, then spreads to the internet
• Do not be afraid to get law enforcement involved if your child becomes a victim of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying Hotline

To report an incident of cyberbullying and to find great resources related to cyberbullying please click the link below: