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10 Essential Things Parents Need to Know About CyberbullyingAlthough cyberbullying is a national issue, the solutions start at home.In this guide, uKnowKids has assembled 10 essentials for parents so thatyou have the knowledge you need to understand the problem andconsequences, see the signs, know how to deal with and evenprevent cyberbullying from devastating a child in your household.

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#1 Cyberbullying: Where and How Cyberbullying is inherently different from regular bullying in that it can happen anywhere, even in the child’s own home. Cyberbullying lives forever. Every word and picture is recorded online. For parents, being able to spot the problem puts you one step closerto being able to stop it.

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#2 Cyberbullying Warning SignsTypically, if you are paying attention, there are clear signs that a child may be a victim of cyberbullying. Takenote of the following:  Depression  Reluctance to attend school and social events  Suddenly stopping using computers, phones, video  Avoidance of conversations about computer games or social media use  Stressful or anxious reactions to text messages, e-  Low self-esteem mails or instant messages  Declining grades  Withdrawal from family and friends  And more.If you notice some of these signs creeping into your childs behavior, its time to talk about whats going on.

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#3 Teach Your Kids What to Do Ignore mean or threatening messages. Block the sender. Save the evidence. Turn off the computer and walk away. Tell a parent or trusted adult.

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#4 Cyberbullying: How Parents Should Respond First, dont overreact. Get all the details before assuming the worst. Meet with school administrators to discuss a plan of action and the schools bullying/cyberbullying policy. Talk about the situation with the bully’s parents. A school guidance counselor can act as a mediator for this type of meeting.

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#4 Cyberbullying: How Parents Should Respond Report the bullying incidents to your Internet Service Provider, mobile telephonecompany or the website operator. Each will take this matter seriously. Set up new accounts. If many people are involved, it may be necessary to change your child’s mobile number, e-mail address, screen names and user names. If you feel like your child is in danger, contact your local police.

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#5 Prevention Through CommunicationCyberbullying might be high tech and new, but theprevention method sure isnt.Communication, communication, communication.Good communication will ensure that your teendoesnt feel the need to lie about his or her Internetactivity.

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#5 Prevention Through CommunicationKnow whats going on at school.Cyberbullying rarely happens in a vacuum. It usually happensin combination with in-person bullying at school.Establish rapport with your childs teachers, principals andguidance counselor. Talk about who is on your childrenssocial networking buddy list and how they know each person.

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#5 Prevention Through CommunicationHere are some questions to ask your child:  Has anyone ever been mean to you online? How did you respond?  Have you ever been mean to anyone online? Why?  Is it OK to forward a text message making fun of someone? Why or why not?  Do you know you school’s policy on bullying?  Which teacher would you talk to if you were being bullied?Make sure your child is prepared to identify cyberbullying and knows how to deal with an incident should it occur.

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#6 Prevention Through PrivacyEquipping kids with basic online skills can help them prevent cyberbullying orat least minimize the damage if cyberbullying happens to them.Teach them: Not How That to accept just anyone as a  to use privacy settings.  they should report cyberbullying friend.  to request the removal of whether it happens to them or others. to ever share their passwords. offensive information.  anything they say online is there forever. to ever share contact  to block unfriendly users.  "private" messages might not be kept information online.  to save the evidence, whether its private ― its easy to forward and a text message, screen shot, web repost, or a friends wall might be set as page address or chat window. "public."  spreading rumors and gossip makes them a bully, too.

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#7 Prevention Through Life SkillsThere is no magic formula, but if you can help your child master these skills, he or she will be less likely tobecome a victim and be better equipped to successfully deal with cyberbullying if it happens.  Promote self-esteem and confidence.  Teach restraint  Enable social skills  Teach assertiveness  Encourage involvement

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#8 What if My Child is the Bully?Its easier to believe that your tween or teen could be a victim of cyberbullying than to believe that he orshe could actually be engaging in cyberbullying behavior.After you get over the initial shock of finding out your childs actions, take these steps:  Stay Calm  Ask questions first  Reinstate online privileges gradually  Try to make reparations

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#9 Teach Your Kids What Not to DoThese behaviors are also actually forms of cyberbullying, not just “joking around” like some childrenmight believe:  Forwarding personal texts or photos.  Impersonating someone else online.  Changing someone elses password.  Changing a profile or away message to embarrass someone.

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#9 Teach Your Kids What Not to DoNo Innocent Bystanders: If your child is aware of cyberbullying atschool, he or she should try to help stop it.Staying silent just contributes to the abuse.

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#10 When Cyberbullying is a CrimeSaying something hateful to someone might be freespeech, but when actions go beyond that and ventureinto harassment, intimidation, threats, stalking, hackinginto another persons computer and sending explicitphotos to minors, thats when the law can step in withreal charges.In the case of child pornography or sexual predatorlaws, cyberbullying can have lifetime ramifications.

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#10 When Cyberbullying is a CrimeForwarding a sexual picture of someone underage is aneven bigger mistake than taking and sending one in thefirst place (even a child sending one of him or herself).Not only does it open up the person in the image tofurther humiliation, but it exposes the child to thedouble charge of possessing and distributing childpornography.

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#10 When Cyberbullying is a CrimeSchools with "zero tolerance policies" about bullying, cyber orotherwise, may leave no room for any kind of defense, contextof the actions or appeal.A first-time offender gets the same punishment as a pathologicalbully who probably does need to be removed from the school.

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How Can HelpuKnowKids is a child internet and mobile safetyproduct created by the world’s leading parentalintelligence company, uKnow.com.We are here to help fight the battle of cyberbullyingagainst children, yours in particular.

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How Can HelpThere are many ways we can help:1. uKnowKids monitors and aggregates your child’s social networks, including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and Instagram, in one place so you can easily spot any usual and dangerous activity. uKnowKids will also send notifications to your mobile phone via text message or email address if there is any behavior that could be considered cyberbullying.2. Our product makes it easier to monitor activities and trends on all social media platforms. That way, if one person is interacting more with your child, possibly in a negative way, you can easily spot it.3. Tagging embarrasing, photoshopped or inappropriate pictures are very common forms of cyberbullying. uKnowKids allows you to easily see all of the images associated with your child’s social network sites which allows you to take appropriate measures before the situtation gets out of hand.4. Mobile phone monitoring also makes it easy to see if your child is cyberbullying someone or becoming the victim of cyberbullying via harrasing or unkind text messages.To learn more and take the first step in protect your child, visit www.uknowkids.com.

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For much more content and a full list of references, resources, and contributors, download our original eBook entitled “10 Essential Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Cyberbullying”.For more information on cyberbullying, sexting, online predators, and keeping children safe online visit our resources page.