Cyberintimidation is carried out by means of digital technologies for persecution, insults and threats. You can help the child to avoid it, having agreed on rules of use of smartphones, computers and the Internet.
What needs to be known
Cyberintimidation is when the person uses digital technologies in order that purposely and repeatedly to pursue, humiliate, torment, threaten or to intimidate other person. Different methods are used - by means of the mobile phone, text messages and e-mail, in online games and on the websites of social networks.
Examples:
- sending messages which threaten people or suppress people
- distribution on the Internet of unpleasant rumors
- creation of unpleasant and false accounts in social networks with use of real photos and a contact information
- trolling or prosecution online
- exchange or transfer of personal information
- placement of offensive photos or video.
Intimidation can happen at any time, everywhere, where there is an Internet or mobile access. If your child has a disability or he has problems with mental health, such as depression or concern, it can aggravate a situation.
Consequences
Mockeries in network often leaves teenagers with the lowered self-assessment, smaller interest in school and low progress. They can also feel lonely and isolated. There can be problems with mental health, such as depression, concern, stress and, in extreme cases, a thought of suicide.
Help to your child
There are some things which you can make:
Coordination of rules. Accurate rules about when your child can use the mobile phone, the computer or the tablet, can help it to avoid problems. For example, cyberintimidation often happens in the night from the help of text messages and images. It is the best of all if you agree to switch off all devices for the night.
Talk to the child. Will be to begin with the good idea a conversation when your child for the first time begins to use social networks or receives the mobile phone. You can talk about:
- as cyberintimidation looks
- that can do, the malefactor - for example, can force you to feel very upset and lonely.
- consequences - for example, "the victim, can cease to study at school".
Conversation about safety on the Internet. Talk about such things as:
- friends in social networks - if your child adds someone whom he actually does not know how "friend", it provides to this person access to information on it which can be used for mockeries
- not to issue passwords to friends. Some teenagers do it as a sign of trust, but the password gives to other people the chance to give itself for your child on the Internet
- it is good to think before writing - if your child publishes personal comments, photos or video, he can receive unwanted attention or negative comments which can be available online for a long time
- to tell you, the teacher or other entrusted adult if he worries about what happens in the Internet.
Difference from other mockeries
The people using intimidation in network often behave more safely than if they faced the victim personally. Sending sneers remotely and anonymously forces them to feel more safely and more powerfully. They cannot see physical or emotional reactions of the victims which could affect hooligan behavior. As teenagers often use mobile phones and the Internet, mockeries can happen 24 hours a day, and not just in school or on the street. The victims can not know who makes mockeries or when the hooligan strikes the following blow. It can force teenagers to feel pursued, even when they at home.