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.