If children and teenagers are being bullied online, it’ s great for them to feel they have some power to resolve the problem themselves.
As promised in our May Newsletter, here are six steps for your child to G.E.T.R.I.D. of a cyberbully.
1. G – go block or delete the person engaging in cyberbullying
Blocking someone from friend lists helps stop the person engaging in cyberbullying from posting or uploading offensive content about your child.
If the cyberbullying is happening through text messages or phone calls, you can ask the service provider to monitor the calls or texts. If necessary, the service provider can contact the sender, because mobile phone holders breach their contracts if they use their phones to bully. If necessary, you can change the phone number.
Christine Hawkins
Owner KMEC Hunter
2. E – ensure you keep evidence of bullying
Save and print out any bullying messages. Use the print screen key or command on your computer keyboard. You can also take a screenshot of a mobile phone screen
3. T – tell someone
If your child shares feelings with a parent, older sibling, relative, teacher or close
friend as soon as possible, it’ ll help them feel less isolated.
4. R – report abuse
Reporting bullying to web administrators is usually as easy as clicking on a ‘report abuse’ link on a website. The website will remove the offensive content, but this can take time.
If the material isn’ t removed in 48 hours, you can lodge a complaint through the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner
If your child has been threatened, they should also report it to the local police. Your child can also contact Kids Helpline – Teens by phoning 1800 551 800, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They have people to guide and support your child.
5. I – initiate control
A big part of taking control is reporting the abuse, but not retaliating or responding aggressively to the cyberbully. In fact, it’s best for your child not to engage with the cyberbully at all. Retaliating or even telling the bully to stop can make the bullying worse.
6. D – delete the bullying message
After you’ve saved evidence of the bullying, delete the message or post. Don’t forward it, repost it, retweet it or send it to other people in any way because they might forward it too.
