Unfortunately bullying amongst teenagers is not a new concept. Mean comments, gossip and harassment are just a few ways teens may experience bullying, whether they are victims, perpetrators, or bystanders. So why is cyberbullying any different? Up until recently, a child may experience bullying at school and upon the end of the school day, they would be able to escape to safe place to read at home, play with neighbors/siblings, talk on the phone with a close friend or become engrossed in some other activity. Nowadays, with nearly 95% of teens being online and over 70% using more than one social media site, bullies have the ability to follow teens everywhere. (School, home, mall, vacations, etc.) Bullying of any kind can result in emotional, social, psychological and/or physical harm; so one can only imagine how trying it is for teens for dealing with bullying that follows their every move? Some teens are capable of coping with these thoughts and feelings in an appropriately effective manner, while many other teens may struggle to deal effectively with what they are experiencing.
Below is a way to recognize if your child is a cyber victim or a cyber bully:
If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms as a result of cyberbullying, make sure to reach out for the support they need by contacting PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624.
