While internet has made lives easy, but much like anything, it also has its side-effects. Alongside facilitating the good, it has also enabled bad behavior. One problem that has been furthered by internet and the digital world is that of bullying.
Bullying amongst kids
Bullying is aggressive behavior exhibited by one person, towards another. The aggression need not be physical, it can be verbal as well. Bullying is symbolic of power difference; the supposedly powerful person bullies the weaker person for purely sadistic reasons.
Children are more prone to bullying and are also more vulnerable to it. Their personality is just shaping, their lives are just starting. For them, peer pressure is extremely powerful. Therefore, the impact of bullying is generally more profound in children.
Usually, bullying entails physical harm. The ‘bully’ might beat the child, cause them to meet accidents and inflict pain any way possible. If you see signs of violence on your child, alongside taking them to the Child specialist in Lahore, you should also have a talk with them about bullying.
Cyberbullying: The new form of bullying
Unfortunately, for the kid to be bullied, they don’t need to share physical space with the bully. Cyberbullying is just as real.
This form of bullying entails repeated harm via some digital medium, be it social media, gaming apps, chatting platforms etc. Most often, it involves hateful comments, rumors, gossip. Cyberbullying may also then morph into harassment.
Cyberbullying has grave implications for the health of the child; from physical harm to impaired mental health. Emotional health and academic performance are also gravely affected as a result as well.
Dealing with cyberbullying
Have a word with them
The online world is a gruesome one. While you cannot do much to change people, you can teach your child how to use social media.
No matter what the peers might be doing, your child should know that personal information should not be shared. There is a limit to how much information you can divulge online. The more you let people into your life, the more space for bullying is created.
Similarly, there is also the danger of predators using the information online. Due to the prevalence of fake profiles, it is very easy to trap children.
Report cyberbullies
It is vital that parents teach their children to report instances of cyberbullying. Most often, the social media platforms have protocols to report cyberbullying and your child should know that they ought to use it in case of bullying.
Moreover, you should talk to your child about observing a case of bullying. Many a times, salacious gossip, rumors, private pictures do more damage when they are circulated amongst the peers. Your child should know that they should not be amongst the people who enable such atrocious behavior.
Teach your child the decorum
Bullies do not hail from Mars; they are from amongst us. So, while parents cannot control their child, however, it is still pertinent for them to actively encourage good, moral behavior.
They also need to be educated about the implications of their actions and words on the wellbeing of others.
The right conduct
The more you engage a bully, the more response and attention you give them. This not only encourages them but disturbs you even more. So, rather than entertaining the bully, ignoring is better.
Audit
Parents need to also audit the social media profiles of their children. You need to have the objectionable posts removed, so that your child is not vulnerable to attacks by the bullies. The privacy settings also need to be set so that they protect your child!
Get help
Parents may not always know if their child is being bullied. If you see your child struggling, but they are not opening up to you, perhaps they might talk to a medical expert they trust, like their Child specialist in Islamabad.