Work with Your Child to Prevent Cyber-Bullying
In today’s world, technology is available to nearly everyone including children and adolescents. Information, social media, news and other medias are at their fingertips. The technology of today’s world can provide access to a variety of resources that are extremely beneficial, including education and informational resources, as well as social and creative resources such as online gaming and medias.
With these added levels of exposure come the increased risk of cyber-bullying and dangerous situations for not only teen’s mental health, but also their physical health.
How to Avoid Cyber-Bullying
As a parent, guardian or trusted adult of a child or teen, there are many ways that you can help avoid the chance of your child being a target for cyber-bullying. There can often be a lot of controversy about giving teens enough privacy. However, setting boundaries, guidelines and expectations will avoid conflict within you and your child’s relationship surrounding their online life. Some ways you monitor and set guidelines for their screen time are:
- Establish rules and expectations.
- Monitor their use of technology.
- Educate them on safe technology practices.
- Check in on their social media and gaming platforms.
- Be there for them if they have any questions or concerns about what they may see or hear online.
- Set privacy and parental controls on their social and gaming accounts.
How to Handle a Cyber-Bullying Situation
- If your child is experiencing a form of cyber-bullying it is important that they feel safe enough to come to you with this information.
- Once you identify who the cyber-bully may be and the platform they are using, whether it be a social media or gaming platform, contact the platform directly as this is often in violation of the platform’s terms of use and guidelines.
- Depending on the severity you can contact local law enforcement of the situation.
- Make sure your child is safe and help them take a break from the platforms they regularly use.
- Get your child mental help they may need. This could be out-patient counseling, a group therapy or another in-person activity that they can use as an outlet.
- As always be an advocate for your child, and their concerns.
About Michiana Behavioral Health Center
Michiana Behavioral Health Center is a facility that offers dignified and respectful care to adults, children and teens experiencing emotional crisis and mental distress. We pride ourselves on taking a holistic approach to treating our patients, while also being committed to delivering quality mental health care. Our center provides thoughtful and ethical care to those struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse and more.
Located in Plymouth, IN, some of our services include our children and adolescents and our adult programs. We have a team of professional, board-certified and child-trained physicians, psychiatrist and master-level clinicians that are dedicated to giving our patients the best care.
To schedule a no-cost assessment or for more information, please call 800-795-6252.
