How can parents protect kids against cyberbullying?

As the online world becomes more complex and nuanced, and with children spending more time online due to the pandemic, it is crucial for parents to safeguard them against online harm.

In the run-up to Stop Cyberbullying Day on 18 June 2021, we conducted a poll among Telenor employees about questions and issues they are grappling with regarding their children’s online usage and instances of cyberbullying. Our Child Online Safety (COS) experts answered the three most voted questions and provided advice on issues that parents and guardians often face.

Also read: A Young Woman’s Perspective on What Makes A Safer Internet

What is the best way to guide my child to identify and deal with online harms?

Ana Brodtkorb, Head of Sustainability, Telenor Norway: With so much literature out there, there isn’t exactly a one “best way” to approach COS. However, there are three things to always keep in mind: 

• Be online: First and foremost, log on. You cannot guide if you are unfamiliar with the territory. Stay curious and learn from your children since they are digital natives.

• Talk about it: Talk to your children about what you and they experience online, as you talk about everything else in your lives. Build trust, so you are ready for difficult conversations when the need arises. Assure them that even if they stumble and get into a difficult situation, they can always come to you. 

• Use privacy and security settings: Talk about privacy and why one must be careful when sharing personal information online. Learn, understand and use privacy and security settings yourself so that you can teach your kids.  

Habiba Sardar, Manager, Corporate Sustainability, Telenor Pakistan: Communication is key. It is crucial to be open, approachable, and understanding. This makes it easier for children to approach an adult, share problems they are experiencing online and ask for advice. Taking an active role in your kids’ internet activities ensures that potential dangers online are minimised. Adding onto Ana’s tips, other best practices include: 

• Keep personal information private: Always remind your kids never to reveal personal details such as home addresses and phone numbers. Don’t share anything on social media that they wouldn’t want their parents, teachers, and, yes, grandma to see.

• Think twice before hitting “enter”: Always remind your kids that, once they’ve posted something, consider it permanent. But also make sure you support them if they make mistakes. They need to hear that there are ways to bounce back if something goes wrong. It’s not the end of the world.

• Don’t “friend” strangers: “If you don’t know them, don’t friend them.” This is a plain, simple and safe rule of thumb. Always verify if requests are coming from someone you do know, and never agree to a private chat with a stranger.

For more than 10 years, Telenor has worked to protect children online in Asia. Here’s why the mission is more important than ever.

At what point should I step in/intervene in their online usage?

Habiba: It’s important for parents to be aware of what their kids read, post, and do online. But snooping can alienate them and damage trust. It’s crucial to keep an open communication, so they understand you respect their privacy and that they can ask questions when there’s a problem. 

Changes in behaviours can indicate trouble. Here are some warning signs:

• withdrawn from activities, family, and friends

• spending long hours online, especially at night

• phone calls from people you don’t know

• unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail

• your child suddenly turning off the computer when you walk into the room

Ana: This is a delicate question. As Habiba rightly pointed out, snooping is a touchy issue. In the last couple of years, we asked parents if they snooped on their children’s phones (in Norwegian), and over half of them did. 65% of children asked didn’t like their parents’ intrusions. Though children have the right to privacy and personal life, that must be balanced with keeping them safe, which is part of the parents’ responsibility. Striking this balance is not an easy job!