Preventing Your Tween from Being a Cyberbully Victim

In recent years as more and more kids go online, the incidence of cyberbullying has also spiked. Cyberbullying is not something to be taken lightly and even younger kids are experiencing situations of cyberbullyng.   It is important to discuss the issue with your tween to increase awareness of the issue.

Cyberbullying occurs when a child bullies another kid in an online venue. While the bullying is not taking place in person, it is still a very serious issue. Teens that use the internet to cyberbully traditionally target their peers and smear their names or issue threats. Cyberbullying is not typically a one time occurrence; it is an ongoing issue that will continue until the matter is addressed, either by authority figures or by the tween themselves.

Victims of cyberbullying usually become self-conscious or withdraw into themselves. Acceptance is what every child wants, especially from their peers. When a kid  is bullied instead, whether online or off, they can become very depressed and even express signs of self-hatred.

It is important, as a parent, to be aware of any changes in your tween’s  attitude or behavior as these can be early warning signs that something is not quite right. Addressing the issue head-on can be beneficial for both of you. Lack of parental support can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, along with depression.