Today marks the beginning of Anti Bullying week. Social media plays a huge role in the lives of young people today. There may be numerous benefits to social media, but it is vital to look out for the signs of anti-bullying as it has been revealed that over five million children have experienced some form of cyberbullying in the UK alone.
The NSPCC has revealed that 1.26 million children experience extreme levels of cyberbullying daily.
There is one thing we must do as parents to help lower the number of children being bullied online and that is making ourselves aware of the signs.
Parents have been encouraged to take note of the signs that will appear if your child is being cyberbullied.
Any changes in behaviour such as becoming sad, withdrawn, angry, or lashing out, a reluctance to go to school or take part in usual social activities. Physical issues including headaches and stomach upsets, it is understood that stress can cause physical health issues.
Other signs include children become less social, a lack of interest in using a device and even stopping using their electronic devices altogether with no explanation.
Unusual reactions if they receive a message or call on their devices, such as jumping or shaking.
One big sign is avoiding discussions about what they’re doing online or who they’re talking to.
Familiarise yourself with some of the tools parents can use to protect their children. One smartphone data recovery system, Enigma Digital Limited, can help restore stolen or deleted data. It is a handy tool if your child is being bullied and you need to collect data that has already been deleted as often, authorities can't progress further with bullying claims without evidence.
There are other options to protect your child, like parental settings or blocking certain sites. If you suspect your child is being cyber-bullied, you can find more information here.
