Sign the CNN/Facebook "Bullying Pledge" Then Take Hands-On Action to Stop Bullying
In light of recent bullying-related tragedies, several large media companies announced the launch of an anti-bullying campaign to generate awareness and make children safe from cyberbullying.
Online, September 28, 2011 (Newswire.com) - TrueCare.com, a social media monitoring service for parents, commends these actions in fighting this widespread and growing issue, but reminds parents that awareness is just the first step. Winning the fight against bullying requires their ongoing action, engagement and dedication to the cause.
To guide concerned parents, TrueCare.com offers easy steps they can follow with their children on a daily basis to proactively fight bullying.
Discussion. Discussion. Discussion.
Parents must have a good understanding about what's going on in their kids' online worlds. Since social networking has become a daily routine for kids, it needs to be part of their daily conversation with parents. The more parents facilitate a safe and non-judgmental environment for conversation, the more likely their kids will report an issue they encounter online.
In addition to talking to their kids about cyberbullying, parents should spread the word to other parents and act as a true advocate for the issue.
Teach Children to Walk-Away and Get Help
Impulsive responses to threatening IM's, emails, texts, or social network posts can make a bad situation worse. Teach children to walk-away from these digital fights and to bring them to your attention. When you have all the information, you can help determine the best course of action, whether it be ignoring/deleting the posts, "unfriending" or blocking the offender, discussing the issue with the offender's parents or involving the school or authorities.
Remember to be supportive and understanding when your children report an issue.
The Golden Rule Still Applies
It's one of the first rules taught to kids, "Do unto others as you would have done to you." Parents set expectations for proper manners and appropriate behavior in the real world every day and they should set those same expectations for their children's online behavior. Digital manners need to be reinforced just as regular manners do. Because written words last forever and they can be easily misinterpreted, they can be even more hurtful than the verbal words.
"This national campaign comes at a pivotal time in this fight as too many lives have already been lost as a result of bullying," said David Barker, VP at TrueCare.com. "And getting parents to actively participate in their kids' online worlds will open their eyes to what's happening online and will give them the knowledge and understanding that they need to help keep their children safe."