With the popularity of social media, we find ourselves and our children being targeted in a new form of bullying. Cyber Bullying has become the norm for many individuals out there these days. In the last five years, India has seen a marked increase in the number of teens and tweens, or preteens, who seek to counsel because they are being bullied online. Here are a few Cyber Bullying facts for you to keep in mind for the online safety of your child. Setting standards, parental control software or parental control app and accountability can help to prevent your child from being a bully or becoming a victim of cyberbullying
Tweens & Teens Are The Largest Target Demographic For Cyber Bullying: As kids begin taking those first few steps into online activities, they can easily become victims of cyberbullying. According to the recent Study online on cyberbullying, 81% of Indian respondents between eight and 16 are active on the social media networks. Of these, 22% have reported being bullied online — the highest in the four countries surveyed (Australia, USA and Singapore being the other three. Someone who could appear to be their best friend in real life may actually be their biggest bully online. As a parent, you can set down stricter guidelines on the use of apps and websites, monitor their social-media using parental guidance app like Nischint which is available on Android and iOS . Always keep communication lines open between yourself and your child to make sure you know what is happening online.
11% of Teens have had embarrassing or damaging pictures taken of themselves without their permission: Cyberbullying doesn’t always have to be words that hurt – instead, it can take many different forms — tagging inappropriate pictures, spreading rumors, insulting comments and filming and posting videos online. For instance posting pictures that have been edited or taken without the person knowing. Students even have Instagram accounts where they just make fun of other students at their school. Malicious tags, cruel comments, and unwanted pictures, once uploaded, can never be completely erased from the web and run the danger of being resurrected any time. Talk to your child’s guidance counselor or principal if that happens.
Girls & Women Are Targeted More Often: While some boys and men will be targeted, it is much more common to see girls targeted by cyber bullies. This especially happens with the “mean girls” mentality of other girls or teens. Unfortunately jealous and cruel bullying from other girls often happens in the form of cyber bullying.
Sexual Bullying Takes Place In Higher Numbers In Cyber Bullying: The ease of hiding behind a screen gives people a chance to target each other in a much more aggressive sexual manner. Cyber bullying often takes form as a means to belittle others sexual experience, ability or appeal. It can also turn into a form of peer pressure where sexual exploits are compared making some teens feel they need to do more than they are comfortable with to fit in
In Real Life Acquaintances Use Anonymity In Cyber Bullying: There are many instances where tweens, teens and even adults find themselves being targeted by someone who seems to know a little too much about them to not be an in real life friend. Sadly, many people are too cowardly to say bully in person, but they will quickly hide behind a screen and target their victim.
15% Of All School Absenteeism is Directly Related to Fears of Being Bullied at School: Has your child tried to stay home a lot more lately? Or does he not seem as thrilled to go to school on a certain day of the week? After studying a recent case of a boy missing numerous days of school, it was determined they all fell on a certain day of the week. It turns out that the boys in his gym class were trying to get videos of him playing sports to post on Instagram. Absenteeism can be a sign of many things, including struggling at school with academics, bullying, or friendship problems
Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse online: Stand up, pay attention, and monitor your child’s social media accounts if you think something is off. You can use parental control app to monitor their Facebook and other social media accounts. You will be the first line of defense if something goes wrong. The very worst thing I can imagine parents saying is, “If only I had done something differently,” or “If only I had done anything at all,” when it is too late.
Cyberbullying is a real threat online, and we need to be aware of the daily comings and goings of our children on social media: whether that media is found on their phones or computer. It can be frustrating to parents. Use parental control app like Nischint to monitor your child’s online activity and protect them from online crimes. Encourage your son or daughter to talk to you about the things that are bothering them. You will want to make your home a safe space so that everything can be out in the open. Most of all, tell your child that you love him or her, regardless of what anyone else has to say. Make sure they know there will be no judgment or anger, simply a desire to protect and love them.
Nischint is a parental control solution whose prime focus is to create a safe digital environment for children today. We help children learn how to use their devices responsibly and also provide parents with the ability to monitor their child’s lives online. With Nischint parents can schedule app and device usage, so that children can focus while they are at school/studying/playing and they get to experience the best of both worlds.
