Tips for Protecting Your Kids from Cyber Bullies

Once confined to the older high school and middle school kids, cyber bullying is slowly but steadily infecting even younger kids. This makes it more important for parents to step up their vigilance and protect their kids from these high-tech bullies. Fortunately, there are ways that every parent can use to make sure cyber bullying does not cause damage to their child. Here's how:

Take your child's complaint seriously.
It's not about over-reacting - it's about being there to support your child if he or she ever becomes a victim of a cyber bully. Watch your child for signs that he may be troubled, upset or scared. Don't belittle his feelings or the threats he receives, summing it up as child's play. If you want to protect your kids from cyber bullies, stop the harassment before it becomes a bigger problem.

Communicate and draw up a plan.
Many cases of cyber bullying have occurred without parents knowing them. It is only when the damage is already too much that parents learn their child was being victimized. Encourage your kids to open up to you by maintaining clear lines of communication. Be open minded and loving, letting your child know he or she can rely on you for support and protection.

Work out a plan with your child on what he should do if he ever becomes the target of a cyber bully. Include a simple 'no-response' rule in your plan by telling your child to avoid replying to a hurtful message and instead, reporting it to you, a trusted school teacher or school staff. If your child is prepared, he will be better at handling the situation should it occur to him.

Learn the walk and talk.
You can't protect your kid from cyber bullies if you know nothing about the technology that made cyber bullying possible in the first place. Learn to use the computer and find out about the lingo, if you can.

Set limits.
Without encroaching on your child's privacy, try to keep the computer in another area of the house where you can monitor any activity that may constitute bullying. You'll be more likely to stop cyber bullying early if you know what's going on.

Save the evidence
If your child ever receives a message or e-mail that is slanderous and hateful, save it and print it out as evidence. You will need this to help you identify who the bully is and get in touch with the parents. If the cyber bullying escalates, you will need this evidence to show to school officials or even the authorities.

Teach your child to be assertive. You can only protect your children up to a point. When they're out at school or in other social settings, they will be exposed to other influences and will be on their own. Teach them coping skills and encourage them to stand on their own feet. Kids who are more assertive and confident are often avoided by bullies (cyber or otherwise) because they prefer the shy, seemingly weak ones to target.

Begin at home.
If your child is not a victim of cyber bullies, make sure that he himself is not a cyber bully. Values may be an old-fashioned quality to teach your child, but they are still very much important in bringing up a child who is not only responsible but socially aware and sensitive. Take time to teach kindness and make sure to put your foot down on making cruel remarks and making fun of people.

Don't assume your child will understand what's right and wrong. It's your job as a parent to teach them to be responsible members of society and the time to do that is now.