Combating Cyberbullying How Are Children Being Protected?
BY AMANDA MILLER PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM
22 COLORADO PARENT OCTOBER 2024 One of the most important things parents can do when it comes to protecting their children from cyberbullying is to be aware of what they are doing online. It’s definitely a lot easier said than done, but taking an interest in what apps they are using, TikTok trends they’re participating in, and who they T echnology has transformed our world by providing us with a gateway to stay connected at all hours of the day. Despite our best efforts at monitoring screen time, our pre-teens and teens are often chronically online, connecting themselves to family, friends, and unfortunately, bullies. With the changing of the times, the bul- lying that existed in school halls (and still does) has also entered the digital era, caus- ing even more harm to the victims and fol- lowing them home long after the bell rings. So, what do we do? What measures are being taken in order to protect our children and teens when they log in or simply pick up their phones? At Home
are communicating with is a crucial step in the right direction. StopBullying.gov, managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, also encourages taking the follow- ing steps to help protect them from harmful online behavior: - Follow or friend your teen on social media sites, or have another trusted adult do so. - Stay up-to-date on the latest apps, social media platforms, and digital slang used by children and teens. - Know your child’s usernames and pass- words for email and social media. - Establish rules about appropriate digital behavior, content, and apps. - Review or reset your child’s phone location and privacy settings. If it’s determined that cyberbullying is occur- ring, immediately block the person doing the bullying. Reports of the bullying can be made to online service providers, mobile
phone providers (call and report the num- ber), or law enforcement. When submitting the report, include dates, times, and screenshots. According to StopBullying.gov, when cyberbullying involves threats of violence, child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos, photos or video taken of someone in a private place, or stalk- ing and hate crimes, it is considered a crime and should be reported to law enforcement. Safe2Tell Colorado provides students, par- ents, and community members with a safe and anonymous way to report any threats to their safety or the safety of someone else. Reports can be submitted by calling (877) 542-SAFE (7233), submitting through the website (safe2tell.org), through the mobile app (Safe2Tell CO), or by texting S2TCO to 738477. In School Colorado anti-bullying laws cover all off-campus conduct, including cyberbully- ing. As a part of the law, schools must have a
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