While netizens recently witnessed cyber bulling of the new kid in the White
House, the disturbing trend made headlines elsewhere too. Here are a few;
- Two thirds of Singapore Parents’ key fear: Kids bullied online www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-key-fear-kids-bullied-online
- 54% Indian parents fear kids bullied online more than on playground www.deccanherald.com/content/592868/54-parents-fear-kids-bullied.html
- According to a 2014 news report in UK, One in three children bullied online: Number who have been victims doubles in a year http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2833928/One-three-children-bullied-online-Number-victims-doubles-year.html
Be Proactive
• Do not allow children to use internet, before they understand digital safety.
• Help young children choose ‘kid friendly’ search engines and sites.
• Put necessary parental blocks.
• Children do not need to be on social media, and expert recommend them not to be until they are 12 years.
• For teens, be their friend in need. Keep your communication lines open – talk proactively about cyber safety and assure that they can always come to you should there be any problem.
• And finally: Be there!Would you leave your child alone in a strange, crowded place which you know has all kinds of people, including the bad ones? Most parents say, no way.
Remember: Internet is that huge, unknown, crowded and confusing place with some bad people out there. Ensure your child is not wandering alone on the internet.