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Plan of attack
Here’s what to do if your
child is being cyberbullied
(or is cyberbullying):
Hug your child and reassure
him that everything
will be OK as long
as you talk about
it. Remind him that
you love him, don’t
blame him and
promise you “will
not make it worse.”
Take a
breath and
encourage your
child to take one
too. Aftab teaches
young people to
“STOP, BLOCK, and
TELL” (stop, and
don’t answer back—
that only increases
the bullying, block
the person or
message, and tell a
trusted adult.)
Get the facts
and come up
with a game plan.
Find out how often
it has occurred,
when it started, if
it’s still going on,
what technology is
being used, and if
your child suspects
or knows who is
behind it. See if it is
occurring in real life
as well as online.
Is it name-calling or
serious threats?
StopCyberbullying.
org has a threat
assessment
checklist to help
you know when
you should get
police involved.
Otherwise, if your
child knows the
cyberbully and if
you know the other
child’s parents well
enough, think about
making a casual
phone call: “Looks
like the kids are at it
again. Can you talk
to Jimmy?”
Note to
Jimmy’s
mom: Don’t freak
out. Seventy
percent of kids
have cyberbullied.
Don’t assume he’s
a bad seed. Find
out details. Get
both sides of the
argument. Discuss
options: a détente,
conversation,
apology.
Make sure your child
has solid emotional
support from her
friends, family, and
school and talks
to her guidance
counselor or other
mental health
professional. Get
the school involved
in helping address
the problem and
implement your
plan. If there is a
threat or your child
is being seriously
bullied, go to the
police right away
and insist that
they get involved.
And report the
cyberbullying to the
social or gaming
network, website, or
mobile provider as
soon as possible.
If you need
more help or
information, visit
StopCyberbullying.
org or talk with
volunteers at
WiredSafety.org.
From StopCyberbullying.org
STOP, BLOCK, and TELL
n Stop, and don’t answer back—
that only increases the bullying
n Block the person or message.
n Tell a trusted adult.