Questions for Parents and Educators to Consider:

‍Parents and Teachers: View the full VIP Facilitation Guide Here

Questions for Parents of Elementary School Students to Consider:

Encouraging Empathy

• How can you talk to your child about the importance of supporting friends who might be experiencing bullying behavior, online or off? 

What to Watch For

• All kids go through struggles at one time or another. What changes in behavior would concern you enough to try and open a dialogue with your student about anything that might be bothering them?

Seeking Advice

• If you’re concerned your child is going through a difficult situation with classmates or other peers, what steps could you take first before trying to get involved?

Questions for Parents of Middle School Students to Consider:

Mentor vs. a Problem Solver

• What are some ways as a parent you can support your child in dealing with cyberbullying other than jumping in to try and solve the problem yourself? 

Fostering Friendship

• How can you encourage your student to be a good friend to a friend or classmate who might be experiencing cyberbullying? 

Finding Support as a Parent

• If you notice troubling changes in your child’s behavior or relationships but they aren’t ready to talk to you about it, who are some people you can reach out to yourself for advice? 

Questions for Parents of High School Students to Consider:

Warning signs

• How can we, as parents, navigate the difference between typical teenage mood swings and potential red flags related to cyberbullying?

Keeping an Open Dialogue

• What are some questions you could ask your student about their use of social media so they know you care—and are available to provide support in case a problem arises—even if they don’t have anything to share at the moment? 

Striking a Balance

• How can parents strike a balance between offering support and letting our teens develop their own coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of online challenges?

Support Services for Students Dealing with Cyberbullying

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat/
• Stop Bullying Now Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• No Bully Help Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
• LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743

More resources for parents, students, & educators

• What is Swatting? What Parents and Educators Need to Know
• Cyberbullying Prevention Tips: What Students & Parents Need to Know
• Identifying Bullying Tactics: 5 Experts Weigh In
• How to Handle Cyberbullying (15 Experts Share Tips for Your Family)

Conclusion

Cyberbullying is a serious issue that is impacting the lives of many students today. Recognizing the tactics used by cyberbullies and having a clear understanding of how to support students who are being cyberbullied is crucial. Parents and educators need to keep the lines of communication open with students to support them and help them respond to bullies in a healthy way. Cyberbullying is an ongoing problem. It will require vigilance, empathy, and a collective effort to create safer spaces online.