The internet is having an increasing influence on the social development of children and how they interact with each other. Social media, smart phones and other technologies provide children with wonderful opportunities to learn, be creative and socialise. However, just as with face-to-face interactions, sometimes bullying and harassment can occur online.
Being online is more often than not a positive and fulfilling experience for children. Content can be posted instantaneously, but the downfall is that children can potentially post messages without thinking about future ramifications. Once it’s online, it is there forever.
Importantly, just like in the real world, not everyone is a friend. While people can use apps, websites, chat rooms and other online tools to send positive messages, compliments and congratulatory messages, others can use the technology to send nasty and inappropriate messages to each other.
Simple social media tips
Responsible interactivity
Ensure your child knows how to block, unfriend and report inappropriate online behaviour.
Know your child’s online friends and followers. It's a good idea to teach your child they shouldn’t become friends or communicate with anyone online unless they know and trust them in the real world.
Encourage your child to think before they share. They should ask themselves, is it true, useful and positive? The things your child says online could affect their friendships, other relationships and prospects for study and work.
Encourage your child to only use appropriate language and share considered views online.
Effective privacy
Ask your child to regularly ipdae their privacy settings. Make sure their profile is private and obly accessible by people they know.
Limit the personal details your child shares online in online accounts.
Ask your child to use a cartoon avatar for their profile picture, or share a photo that doesn't show their face.
Encourage them to use an online nickname that doesn't contain their full name or give away too much personal detail.
Teach them to protect their identity.
Be proactive!
Encourage your child to be open with you about being online. Often, the fear of losing access to social media is why children are hesitant about talking with their parents about online issues.
Teach your child how to take a screen shot on their device, so they can capture evidence of cyberbullying/inappropriate use.
Take a proactive approach and establish clear and agreed rules for your child's internet use. This may include, at any given mmoent, your child is required to hand you the device for you to view.
Establishing a clear agreement with your child ensures youa ll understand the rules/arrangements for use.
If your child thinks they are being bullied, or encounters offensive online content, encourage them to find someone they feel safe talking to, such as yourself, a relative, a teacher or a trusted adult.
Adults can help tehir child ignore, report, and block the other person.
Encourage your child to
never bully back.
Promote positive bystander behaviour. Work with your child ahead of time to come up with safe ways to stand up to any online abuse they may witness.
Remember if you wouldn't say it out loud or in front of an adult, don't say it online.