Fight Against Cyberbullying: How Parents And Kids Can Protect Themselves

November is a month when cyberbullying is widely discussed around the world with events including the International Day Against Violence and Bullying until the week-long dedicated fight against this problem in the U.K., and countries uniting together to resist cyberbullying.  

Kaspersky experts have collected many tips for parents and children on what to do if you’re bullied, and how to protect yourselves. 

What kids can do to protect themselves from cyberbullying:

  • Set private settings

Parents teach children not to talk to strangers on the street. So why don’t we talk about the same rule, but for the online space? If it is impossible to protect yourself from the same bully neighbor completely, it’s also possible to do it on a personal account across social networks. How to do this are available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitch, and Reddit

  • Do not answer

Reacting with offensive words will only escalate the situation. Trying to reason with the bully without the participation of adults is also not worth it. Ignoring them is the only way to protect yourself from a further abyss of clarifications, insults, and the like.

  • Block the aggressor, complain to the moderators

Many websites and all social networks can add a user to a black/block list. Contact the site’s administrators with a request to block the instigator. How to do this are available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitch, and Reddit

  • Take screenshots

Evidence can be helpful if you need to contact law enforcement agencies. You can also discuss the problem with the offender’s parents or explain the possible consequences to them.

  • Temporally delete or deactivate the personal account

Leaving social media for some time can help to breathe out and focus on yourself. Moreover, bullies will see that a user is not responding and can lose interest in a possible victim since they won’t get any reaction. The most important thing is not to blame yourself because of this situation. 

Tips for parents:

  • Support and trust are essential elements

If children are faced with cyberbullying, parents can support them. But at the same time, according to various surveys (1, 2), it’s a common situation, when kids don’t share such problems with their parents.  However, parents can pay attention to possible signs, if their kids are bullied. In particular, it could be issued with sleeping or eating, tearfulness or sadness irritability, or avoiding going to school. Withdrawing from the normal fun activities they once enjoyed.

  • Prohibit is not an answer

Prohibiting the use of social media or the internet is not the perfect solution to the cyberbullying issue. Such a step can complicate relations with any child as they can move away, withdraw, and become less in contact. It’s maybe much more effective to help them take a critical attitude to the situation, to “disconnect” the bully’s messages from the kids’ personalities. In addition, such problems can help children comprehend what is happening as an experience that will help them form skills to counter cyber aggression and manipulation. 

  • Keep in touch with kids online

One more good option can be to keep in touch with your child on social networks and instant messengers. It can help to check children’s posts and better understand their condition.

  • Don’t dismiss the digital help

Today’s technology also comes with a number of parental controls to help safeguard kids from harmful or inappropriate online material. Parents can also avail themselves of third-party apps, which offer protection from harmful content, as well as enables them to set screen time limits, monitor their online activity, or also track their location with GPS.

“Cyberbullying is a very complex and serious problem, which is quite possible to deal with. Studies show that children often do not tell adults that they are experiencing bullying. Building a trusting relationship with the child will help parents be aware if their child encounters bullying,” comments Andrey Sidenko, Lead web content analyst at Kaspersky.

More information, on what else can children and parents do to deal with cyberbullying are available via the link.

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Not Just Big Sales Anymore, Lazada Drops Daily Deals

Gone are the days when online shopping was just about big monthly sales and surprise… Read More

3 hours ago

Red Army Watches Malaysia & SEVENFRIDAY Celebrate Merdeka with a Limited-Edition Riley Bear in Batik

In celebration of Malaysia’s Independence Day and Malaysia Day 2025, Red Army Watches Malaysia is… Read More

5 hours ago

HABIB Celebrates Malaysia’s Heritage with Modern Sparkle This Merdeka

Malaysia’s homegrown jeweller, HABIB, returns with its iconic Jualan Merdeka campaign, running nationwide from now… Read More

6 hours ago

Sacoor Brothers Reimagines Luxury with New Flagship Boutique at Suria KLCC

Portuguese luxury fashion house Sacoor Brothers has unveiled its newly redesigned flagship boutique at Suria… Read More

6 hours ago

Casio x The Sandbox: G-SHOCK Is Now in the Metaverse

Brace yourself, your favorite tough-as-nails watch just got a futuristic makeover. Casio is teaming up… Read More

9 hours ago

Pandora’s “Colour Pop” Collection Is Serving Summer Energy in Every Sparkle

Looking to brighten up your style this summer? Pandora's latest “Colour Pop” collection is bringing… Read More

9 hours ago

This website uses cookies.