Tips for youth to stop cyber-bullying:
Don’t initiate, respond or forward harmful messages.
Think first! If something mean is posted or texted about you, don't respond immediately. Take a break and give yourself time to think about your next step.
Think about your reputation-- would you want your grandma, teacher, future employer to see your post?
Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, save the message, and tell an adult.
Tips for parents regarding cyber-bullying:
Ask your children questions. Maintain an open dialogue.
Keep the computer in a common room.
Talk about your expectations regarding acceptable online/phone behavior before they receive the privilege. Behavior online should be the same as what you would do in person or in front of someone you respect.
Make agreements and set boundaries about accepted use and behavior for online/phone communication. Often youth don’t tell parents because they fear losing their technology privileges.
Help your child think through how the information they put online reflects on them.
Inform youth about legal and future consequences of harmful posing online or by phone.
Ask your child to teach you about programs or technologies you don’t understand or of which you don’t have familiarity. Model the behaviors you want to see around phone and internet use.