How To Tell If Your Kid Might Be The Victim Of Cyberbullying By Tanni Haas, Ph.D. N o matter how much and how well you try to protect your kids, there’s always the possibility that they’ll become the victims of cyberbullying. If that’s the case, how do you know if your kids are being cyberbullied? What are the tell-tale warning signs? It’s important to know the warning signs as only about 1 in 10 kids tell their parents about being cyberbullied. Dr. Michele Borba, an internationally-renowned expert on cyberbullying, says “Don’t expect your child will come and tell you about the harassment. Research says that chances are that your child won’t tell, which is why you need to tune in closer and get educated.” Kids often keep silent because they’re ashamed, fear retribution from the bully, and, perhaps most surprising to parents, are afraid that their computer and phone access will be restricted or taken away which, in turn, they see as an unfair punishment of them rather than the bully. Unlike traditional bullying, which often leaves physical marks like bruises or black eyes, cyberbullying can often only be identified by certain changes in a kid’s behavior. Cyberbullying can occur right in front of parents, or in the next room, without them realizing it. According to Drs. Sameer Hinduja and Justin Patchin of the Cyberbullying Research Center, you can tell if your kids might be the victims of cyberbullying by paying close attention to their general demeanor and online behavior. Like victims of traditional bullying, kids who’re cyberbullied often show signs of depression. They exhibit little interest in the things and activities that used to matter to them the most, tend to withdraw from friends and family, experience sudden changes in their eating and sleeping patterns, and complain of headaches and stomachaches. “Moodiness and mood swings are just part of being [a child],” says Walter Meyer, a well- known cyberbullying expert. “But if a child really changes—becomes withdrawn, stops
26 OCTOBER 2026 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
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