1. Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

2. Chat with Lifeline

3. For Spanish speakers:

   1. Call 1-888-628-9454

   2. Visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

   3. Visit Ayuda en Español: Lifeline

4. For deaf/hard of hearing:

   1. Call 1-800-799-4889

15 Warning Signs of Bullying — Little Otter (littleotterhealth.com) 

1. Focus on the relationship with your child – In combating cyberbullying, one of the most important tools for parents is cultivating their relationships with their children. Many youths have mentioned to Dr. Ambrose that when they inevitably encounter problems, they are unsure if they could turn to their parents/guardians for help: Would they be met with yelling and screaming or guidance and support? Do your children share exciting news about their new friends, seek comfort when there are disappointments in their friendships, or ask for help in potentially perilous social situations? If you are uncertain of the answer, lean into the discomfort and ask your children for specific ways to build better communication.

2. Underscore the pillar of safety – As children navigate their own interactions at different stages of their lives, they may attempt new experiences without recognizing the consequences. In navigating your involvement in your children’s social world, it is helpful to emphasize and contextualize your priority as safety.

3. Acknowledge the necessity of virtual social interactions – Given the vast variety of social media platforms, it is futile and unhelpful for parents to know and block them all. As a result, aim to cultivate a curiosity about your children’s virtual social interactions as a way to better inform yourself and build connections with your child.

4. Establish a regular routine for checking in – Try to create a foundation of trust, openness, and security by proactively establishing a regular schedule to ask about your child’s social interactions. For example, ask about your child’s friends and online experiences during a weekly one-on-one parent-child lunch.

5. Validate your child’s emotions – When your child does share about their social lives, you can reinforce further sharing by listening emphatically and mirroring your children’s emotions. For example, “This morning, you said that John sent you a message calling you a demeaning name. It seems to deeply hurt your feelings. Since you considered John a friend, it must have felt like a betrayal.”

6. Give your rationale if there will be restrictions – In certain situations, it can be appropriate for parents and guardians to impose healthy boundaries. However, by taking the time to explain your rationale, you can link the restrictions to the concerning behaviors, further reinforcing the focus of safety. For example, “I've noticed you spending a lot of time on Instagram and often comparing yourself to people you see on Instagram, and it seems to bring you down. Could we agree on a limit on Instagram time?”

7. Seek your child’s inputs in building a safer online presence – Leaning on your children’s inputs signals that you respect their individuality and growing adulthood and can foster parent-child trust for future social situations. For example, “Since reading the mean comments on your Youtube videos really upset you, I worry about how they may be affecting your emotions. Do you think we should disable the comment section or take a break from Youtube all together?”

8. Avoid overly harsh punishments/restrictions – Extreme restrictions and punishments may exacerbate the anxiety in your child for fear of further restrictions, and it may deter them from informing you about precarious situations. For example, in lieu of taking away your child’s internet access for a month, consider a shorter duration or having ways that they can regain access by demonstrating safe and appropriate internet-related behaviors.

9. Recognize warning signs – Parents and guardians should be mindful of signs and symptoms where cyberbullying may have already occurred. Depending on the developmental age, children may express irritability and anxiety surrounding online situations. Some children may have trouble with schoolwork. . In severe cases, some children may exhibit severe mood symptoms such as, hopelessness, profoundly depressed mood, or expressing self-harm and suicidal statements and acts.

10. Seek professional assistance in refractory and/or dangerous situations – In any situation where you are concerned about significant distress and mental health impacts on your child consider reaching out to a mental health professional, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, for help. In certain situations, it will be essential to involve the school or the social media platforms to intervene on the cyberbullying behaviors by blocking or banning the offenders. In particularly predatory situations, parents and guardians may even consider legal involvement. However, the crux of all these interventions should centralize around protecting the child.

Psychiatry.org - 10 Steps to Help Your Child Prevent and Address Cyberbullying 

Kids may be bullying others if they:   

• Get into physical or verbal fights

• Have friends who bully others

• Are increasingly aggressive

• Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently

• Have unexplained extra money or new belongings

• Blame others for their problems

• Don’t accept responsibility for their actions

• Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity

Warning Signs for Bullying | StopBullying.gov 

1. Listen actively: When your child is talking to you, make an effort to really listen. Show them that you’re interested in what they have to say by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and asking follow-up questions. Avoid interrupting or talking over your child, and try to resist the temptation to give advice or try to solve their problems immediately. Sometimes, just being there to listen and offer support is all your child needs.

2. Validate their feelings: It’s important to let your child know that their feelings are valid and essential, even if you don’t agree with them. By acknowledging and respecting their emotions, you can help your child feel understood and supported. For example, if your child is upset because their friend didn’t invite them to their birthday party, you could say something like, “I can understand why you would feel hurt and left out. It’s natural to feel that way in a situation like this.”

3. Be a good role model: Children learn by example, so it’s essential to model the behavior you want to see in your child. If you want your child to communicate openly with you, make an effort to do the same with them. This means being open and honest about your own thoughts and feelings and showing your child that it’s okay to express a wide range of emotions.

4. Use open-ended questions: Instead of asking yes or no questions, try using open-ended questions to encourage your child to share more about their thoughts and feelings. For example, instead of asking, “Did you have fun at school today?” as a routine question, try asking, “What was the best part of your day at school?” This can help your child feel more comfortable opening up and sharing more about their experiences.

5. Create a safe and supportive environment: To encourage open communication, it’s crucial to create a safe and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable expressing themselves. This means respecting their privacy and being there to listen without judgment or criticism. It also means setting boundaries and being consistent with your expectations and discipline so your child knows what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.

Creating an Open Dialogue with Your Child: Tips for Parents (upwards.com)