ANOTHER organisation is offering advice to parents in wake of recent suicides in the North West linked to trolls and cyber bullies.
Parentstop has asked us to share the following information with our readers:
Support and advice is available to parents in Donegal who are worried about cyberbullying. Whether you are concerned your child is being bullied or that your child is bullying others, Parentstop can help. The organisation shared the following advice on cyberbullying and how to talk about it with your child:
Cyber (or text) bullying involves the use of web or social network posts; text messages; or phone videos/ pictures to embarrass, threaten, tease or ridicule someone. Cyberbullying is a behaviour issue, not a technology problem. It is the same as verbal or physical bullying but uses technology instead.
If you are worried your child is being cyberbullied, let them know you are there to help, support and listen.
If your child has come to talk to you about bullying, praise them for having to courage to do so.
Advise your child not to reply to the messages. Save the messages (texts, photos, etc) as evidence of the bullying. Your child may also be able to use privacy tools to block the person/s who are bullying.
Report the cyberbullying. If your child knows who is involved in the bullying (a former friend or someone in school) then get in touch with the school or the parents. You should also report the bullying via the service provider (for e.g. contact the mobile phone operator’s Customer Care or use the Report Abuse facility on Facebook). If the bullying is very serious (for e.g. racism, threats or harassment), you should also speak to the Gardaí.
Ask your child to show you the phone tools and website they use to communicate with friends. Spend time getting to know and understand these websites/ tools as this will help you support your child if cyberbullying becomes an issue.
Parents can help prevent cyberbullying by encouraging their child to respect others when texting and chatting online. Help them to understand that cyber and text bullying is as hurtful as bullying in person. It’s also important they understand how a joke is not always funny when shared online – it may come across as nasty or hurtful to others.
Parentstop Manager, Patricia Lee, said: “We need to understand how our children are connecting and communicating today, welcome the benefits of technology by talking to them about the positives, and be prepared to support them if they come up against negative behaviours online. If your child is experiencing bullying in any way, he or she needs your reassurance, encouragement and support.”
If you are facing this or any parenting challenge, get in touch with Parentstop. Parentstop is a free and confidential parent support service in Co. Donegal. If you want to ask a question, talk to someone in confidence, or see if you’re on the right track, then Parentstop is here to support you. There are no long waiting lists and the Parentstop team is available to talk to you once you make an appointment. With services in Donegal Town, Letterkenny and around Inishowen, one of our Parents Support officers will meet you, listen to you and give you support and advice. Whatever your concern – let’s get it sorted together.
If you have family concerns and would like to speak to Parentstop, contact:
074-9177249 for Letterkenny and surrounds
074 9373493 for Inishowen areas
086-8494038 for Donegal Town and surrounds
You can also email patricialee@parentstop.ie for more information.
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