For this year’s National Bullying No Way Week, Triple P is highlighting the importance of helping children stay safer online, and stop cyberbullying before it impacts a child’s life.
Delivery of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program to parents and carers of children in Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Parenting Education and Support Program.
Triple P’s survey found that eight out of 10 parents were worried about keeping their children safe from online dangers such as cyberbullying.
Triple P recommends three ways on how to talk to children about cyberbullying:
Start the conversation
Casual, frequent conversations with younger children will make it simple to discuss about being kind online. With teens, respect their need for more privacy, and show interest in their online activities.
Help children feel prepared
‘What if’ scenarios help children feel prepared to handle tricky situations. For younger children, try asking how they would feel if a stranger tried to message them while playing a game.
With teens, it could be discussions on how they would feel if they saw hurtful comments about a classmate on social media, and explore ways on how they could respond.
Create a calm, supportive space for children
Children often feel embarrassed to talk to their parents about things happening online, especially if they think it might get them in trouble. Tell them it’s okay to feel afraid or worried. Let them know you’re available to listen.
Triple P International Country Director Carol Markie-Dadds advised parents concerned their child is experiencing online bullying to seek help from their schools, eSafety, or Kids Helpline.
Triple P’s free online parenting programs help people in a parenting role to handle challenges, with a free online program for raising children aged 0-12, and another for parents and carers of children who are frequently anxious.
Parents and carers can access free, online parenting support 24/7 at www.triplep-parenting.net.au.
