The following content is created in consultation with the San Diego Police Foundation. It does not reflect the work or opinions of NBC San Diego's editorial staff. To learn more about the San Diego Police Foundation and their SafetyNet® program, visit sdpolicefoundation.org.
Unfortunately, social media has raised the bar on bullying. Cyberbullying is a reality many children face thanks to the 24/7 pervasiveness of cell phones in their lives. Not only are bullies able to assail their victims non-stop, but online bullying often carries components of public humiliation and the added stress of not knowing where the bullying is coming from.
While legislation has been enacted to protect kids, and schools are being held responsible for the safety of the students that are in their care, this does little to help curtail online bullying during the other hours of the day.
Therefore, it's vital for parents to understand the nature of bullying and its online implications. Luckily, SafetyNet® is here to help. Let’s start by defining the roles that are often involved in bullying:
Victim: The child being bullied.
Bully: The child doing the bullying.
Bystander: The child watching the bullying taking place without getting involved.
Ally: The child who comforts the victim or takes action on the victim’s behalf.
Confronter: The child who confronts the bully on behalf of the victim.
Invisible ally: Parent, teacher or concerned adult who helps resolve the problem.
So, what should a child do if they are being bullied?
We recommend that children report bullying to their parents or a trusted adult. Help them to understand that you will not embarrass them or make the situation worse. Instruct children to stop all communication with the bully and to block the bully from cell phones and social networking sites. This is important because if the victim retaliates, the situation may be viewed as a fight rather than a bullying/harassment scenario, resulting in the possibility of both children being held responsible for the behavior. Parents can try to contact the bully’s parents, their child’s school counselor or, if necessary, law enforcement. Adults shouldn't give up if at first they don’t succeed in ending the bullying; continue offering emotional support to the child and make sure to reach out to various school and/or law enforcement officials until the bullying stops.
So, what should a child do if they know about a bullying situation but they are not the bully or the victim?
We encourage children to be an ally and report the bullying anonymously to school officials or to a trusted adult. They can ask that their names be kept out of the situation. Children need to know it is not telling if someone may be getting hurt, it is standing up for someone else and the right thing to do. They can also support the victim by spending time with them and reminding them of their good qualities.
The San Diego Police Foundation believes bullying and cyberbullying are issues that can be greatly reduced over time. But education campaigns are required to change people's opinions, which is why The San Diego Police Foundation is committed to helping kids, families and schools end this issue.
To learn other best practices to keep your kids safe, happy and healthy, visit Smartcyberchoices.org. You can also take charge of your childrens' online time by following the simple safety tips offered by Cox as part of their Take Charge! initiative.
