No parent wants to see their child bullied at school. However a Michigan injury lawyer would warn that today the risks of cyberbullying could be just as harmful.
The internet has become part of our daily lives. Children are using it to do their homework and play educational games. Unfortunately the internet is also a place where children are harassed, threatened, attacked and taunted. This is also more commonly referred to as cyberbullying.
According to dictionary.com the definition of cyberbullying is: “the act of harassing someone online by sending or posting mean messages, usually anonymously.”
By definition cyberbullying only pertains to minors. When adults begin to harass each other online it is referred to as cyber-harassment or cyberstalking.
As a parent the most important thing you can do is educate your child in how to react when they are bullied online or when they see others being bullied online. There are a number of great ways to defend against cyberbullying:
- Don’t share a cyberbullying message
- Stop all communications with cyberbullies
- If you see something happening online that makes you uncomfortable, report it to an adult
- Encourage friends not to be cyberbullies
- Take cyberbullying seriously even though you can’t see the bully or the victim
- Keep your social networks as private as possible
- Do not set up meetings with people you only know from the internet
- Keep open communication with your parents about online activities
Adults and children alike are more likely to say things online that they wouldn’t say face to face. The problem with this is that when people are hiding behind a computer they are more likely to be cruel to their peers. The most important thing to remember about cyberbullying is that it is just as painful for a child as being bullied during the school day.
If you are concerned that your child may be a victim of cyberbullying the best thing you can do it ask them. They may not even realize what is happening to them until you bring it up.
Cyberbullying can cause depression and thoughts of suicide in young adults. it is not something that you want to take lightly. Bullying and cyberbullying has been the root of far to many deaths and suicides in teens today.
If a tragedy happens to your loved one as a result of cyberbullying it is smart to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This will not bring back your loved one but it will draw media attention to the national problem of cyberbullying and it can help encourage your state to pass legislation to prevent future bullying in schools across the country.