What do you do when you can't escape?
Written by Paul Coughlin
When I was a teen during the '80s, I could escape bullying within the walls of my own home. I might be bullied at school, but then I could go home to replenish my inner reserves, which I would need to face the following day. Today, most teens don't have that benefit.
Bullying now pursues our children home in the form of cyberbullying - intentional and harmful words and/or images on social media sites like Facebook. It can include aspects of harassment, impersonation, denigration, trickery, exclusion, painful or embarrassing videos shared with others, and cyber-stalking.
Students tend not to report these incidents to parents out of fear that computer and phone privileges will be taken away, which is exactly what many parents do. Though well-intended, this approach doesn't halt cyberbullying. Students still face the ramifications of online bullying at school when informed by their friends, "Did you see what they said about you on Facebook?"
Sequestering can sever an important connection to a child's social fabric, unintentionally punishing the target more than the perpetrator and creating even more social isolation. Instead of denying its existence, schools need to encourage parents to document bullying posts and pictures to use later when necessary.
There is only so much a school can do on its own to diminish cyberbullying. Assisting parents in guiding their children as they navigate these difficult waters is very helpful in resolving this virtual form of abuse.
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