October is National Bully Prevention Month, so we’re taking a look at how we can prevent a persistent form of bullying: cyberbullying.
Recent statistics show that a staggering 59% of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are social media, texting, online gaming communities, and email.
Effects of cyberbullying can include lower academic performance, poor concentration, increased stress and anxiety, depression, and even an increased rate of suicide.
So, what can we do to stop cyberbullying? These 5 tips can help empower our youth to be part of the solution.
While a majority of U.S. teens will experience some form of cyberbullying, only 1 in 6 parents are actually aware of the bullying. So, how can parents play an active role in preventing their kids from being cyberbullied? Here are a few great suggestions:
- Ensure that they only friend and chat with people they know in real life
- Verify that privacy settings are set on all of their accounts
- Educate them on the importance of keeping their passwords private
- Show them how to block, delete, or report cyberbullying
- Limit their screen time. The less time they spend on their device, the less likely that they will be cyberbullied.
- Get them involved in offline activities.
Ready to get your teens involved in a great activity in a supportive community? Try a FREE martial arts training session at Invictus! Which class below are you most curious about?
Preschool ages 3-5 (CLICK HERE)
Kids ages 6-12 (CLICK HERE)
Adults ages 13+ (CLICK HERE)
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