The majority of children and young people who are victims of ‘cyberbullying’ do not seek help from adults out of fear or shame, warns the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP), launching a guide for parents and caregivers on ‘cyberbullying’ in which it calls for dialogue.
Most victims do not seek help from those closest to them for fear of what they might think and for fear of losing access to digital technologies, says the OPP in a released statement, in which it recommends fathers, mothers and caregivers to talk to children and young people about ‘cyberbullying’.
Psychologists recall that ‘cyberbullying’ can happen anywhere, at any time, persistently, with any child and young person being at risk from the moment they have an unsupervised cell phone, computer or tablet.
In the new guide for parents and caregivers, which will be launched this Monday (20), World Anti-Bullying Day, some of the warning signs are listed, such as showing sadness, anxiety or disturbance during or after using the internet, making your digital life a secret, isolating yourself and avoiding family, friends or usual activities and showing nervousness and anxiety when a message appears.
When faced with a ‘cyberbullying’ situation, it is recommended to offer support and comfort, assuring the child/young person that it is not their fault and reminding them that they are not alone and that they will find a solution together.
Access to the internet should also be limited until the situation is resolved, report and/or block cyberbullying, encourage people not to respond to cyberbullying, but save messages/photographs/interactions that could serve as evidence with the school or even the police.
Other recommendations are to seek help from the school, from the class director or school psychologist, contact the authorities and, if the attacks are serious (threats of violence, attempts at blackmail/extortion, encouragement of self-mutilation or suicide) you should contact the PSP or GNR — Safe School and the Commission for the Protection of Children and Young People in the area of residence.
To prevent cyberbullying situations, psychologists recommend that rules and times for using digital technologies be established, depending on class, study and leisure times, and how the child or young person spends their time online, while respecting their privacy.
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