What do I do if my child is experiencing cyberbullying?

Although technology allows bullies to target their victims anonymously, there are a number of steps that victims and their families can take:

• Advise your child to ignore the message. Do not ignore the problem.
  • Don't respond to the message.¹
  • Save the evidence.
  • Tell a trusted adult.
  • Don't forward it.²
  • Show kids how to block cyberbullies and to delete messages without reading them.
  • Never encourage your children to seek revenge and further escalate the cyberbullying problem.
  • Remind kids to keep their passwords secret.
  • Assure kids that cyberbullying is never their fault.
• Consider setting up new email, IM, gaming, or cell phone accounts and only share the new contact information with trusted friends.¹
• When cyberbullying occurs in the context of online gaming:²
  • For this kind of cyberbullying, parents should teach kids to ignore "griefers," block or ban them, take a break from the game to calm down, and, if necessary, set up new gaming accounts.
  • Parents should also monitor their child's gaming and consider disabling voice chat if they are concerned their child is being bullied or is bullying other gamers.

1. Netsmartz. What to do When Your Child Is the Victim of Cyberbullying.
2. National Crime Prevention Council. Bullying Prevention: At School and Online.