The warming temperatures are a signal that the last weeks of the school year are here. This means that our teens are spending more time connecting using their devices. They have big summer plans to make together, and we want that for them! Sometimes text conversations can go in an unexpected direction and unfortunate words are sent. Does it amount to cyberbullying? Whether it does or not, our teens can experience anxious feelings that can have a big impact. It is always better to talk about how to handle these situations before they happen so your teen knows what to do. In ConnectSafely’s Parent’s Guide to Cyberbullying there are some great tips to remind your teens about:
- Don’t respond or retaliate.
- Save the evidence with screenshots.
- Tell the person to stop.
- Reach out for help.
- Use the tools built into the phone to block or mute and take a break.
Read more about each of these tips and a full definition of cyberbullying in ConnectSafely’s Parent’s Guide to Cyberbullying.