October is Cyberbullying Awareness Month

Here's a Guide for Parents and Caregivers

By Samiah Garcia

In this age of technology and social media, we are always connected. Most of us see this as a blessing to be able to connect with friends and family. But when the messages on social media are negative, degrading, and are there for all to see, there can be serious consequences.

Bullying can cause lasting effects, as feelings of shame and low self-esteem can follow students throughout their school years. According to StopBullying.org, Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or games where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else, causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2017 that 14.9 percent of high school students were electronically bullied in the past twelve months. Historically, females have a higher rate of being bullied than males. The issue has led state governments to create legislation to address this growing concern. In 2015, Georgias definition of bullying was expanded through House Bill 131, or The End of Cyberbullying Act, and it includes acts of cyberbullying, which occurs through the use of electronic communications. Forty-nine states in the Unites States have antibullying legislation.

Cyberbullying comes in various forms. It can be threatening to hurt someone or telling them to kill themselves, posting comments or rumors about someone that are hurtful or embarrassing, or posting a mean video about someone. It can also be creating a hurtful page or post about someone, telling a group of people online not to be friends with someone, sharing secrets about someone to a group without permission, sharing photos, that are compromising in nature with a group or starting a rumor that is cruel and unkind. The reasons behind these actions can be varied and can be the same reasons face-to-face bullying occurs. Cyberbullying is relentless and can severely impact a persons well-being. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide.

Signs that a student may be a victim of cyberbullying include marked increase or decrease in use of electronic devices, emotional response during and after use of an electronic device, deactivating social media accounts, changes in mood and behavior, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, withdrawal, school avoidance, decline in grades, change in appetite, and avoiding discussion about online activity.

Signs that a child is the bully or taking part in bullying can overlap with the signs of being bullied. These include increased use of electronic devices, separation from family, hiding devices when near others, laughing excessively when looking at a device but not sharing the reason for laughter, increased concern about popularity, callous attitude about other students, and use of multiple online accounts or use of an account that does not belong to them.

It is critical that parents and caregivers monitor their childrens online activities and limit the use of such devices. The rules and limitations need to be age appropriate. But the most important thing is to give the child a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where they know that they will be supported and loved unconditionally. In such an environment, a conversation can occur that will let a parent know that cyberbullying is taking place, and then steps can be taken to stop it.

First, teaching students about responsible online behavior is most important. In a place where anonymous profiles and avatars exist, it is important for children to know what they can and cannot share online. The importance of reporting the event if they are being cyberbullied needs to be emphasized. Schools can be involved if the bullying is occurring at school. Local law enforcement agencies need to be involved if a serious threat is made. All social media sites have policies on reporting threats of harm or the posting of harmful photos and videos. In many cases, such sites can be shut down to prevent further damage.

If cyberbullying is suspected, monitor, discuss, document, and report the behavior. Keeping children safe online requires parents to be vigilant and knowledgeable of the possible dangers of the cyberworld. If adequate steps are taken, cyberbullying can be conquered.

To get more information on cyberbullying, please visit ADL.org, StopBullying.gov, and Cyberbullying.org.

Samiah Garcia is the coordinator for school counseling for the Fulton County School District.