How to Tell if Your Child is the Victim of a Cyber Bully

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Cyber bullying is a topic that has recently received a lot of attention from many media outlets. Due to the popularity of the internet, many people are now completely dependent on online communication. However, this has spawned a new set of social problems for this generation of tech-savvy children, which includes the issue of cyber bullying.

Though childhood teasing is often seen as harmless, bullies are now being given even more opportunities to confront their victims online. Websites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter give children the ability to interact with each other, sometimes with complete anonymity. With these tools, more child bullies are now taking their behavior online. If your child is being bullied, it’s important that you are aware of the symptoms of being victimized by a cyber bully. Here are some quick tips for concerned parents.

Lack of Interest in Computer Time
Has your child lost interest in spending time online? The important thing to look for is an abrupt change in your child’s behavior towards their computer time. Lack of interest in going on the computer could mean that your child is attempting to avoid being accessible to a cyber bully.

Withdrawn Behavior
While a little bit of angst is normal for the pre-teen and teenage generation, it’s still important to be concerned if your child becomes showing signs of depression. Withdrawn behavior may include a lack of interest in going outdoors, failing to respond to friends invitations to hang out, etc. Though this beahvior may have any number of causes, when combined with the other symptoms, it can be a sign that your child may be the victim of a cyber bully.

Physical Symptoms
If your child is being subjected to cyber bullying, this may manifest as physical complaints as well. Your child may begin complaining of headaches, stomachaches and other physical symptoms. These may be real symptoms that are brought on by the stress and anxiety of being bullied.

Lack of Interest in School Events
In many cases when a child is being cyber bullied, the bully is someone that they know from school. Because of this, your child may begin to display a lack of interest in school events that they previously enjoyed. This may include sports events, pep rallies or other after-school activities.

A Decline in Grades
If your child is showing an uncharacteristic decline in their grades, try to avoid getting upset with them. Often times, a decline in grades may be a sign that your child is undergoing some sort of emotional stress. If your child is being cyber bullied, they may begin to have trouble focusing on their schoolwork, which could account for their decline in grades.

Hidden Computer Activities
If your child is being cyber bullied, they may try to hide this from their friends, parents and other family members. Because of this, they may constantly be exiting their computer activities as soon as someone else enters the room. When asked what they were doing, your child may come up with an excuse or dodge the question. This may be a symptom that your child is the victim of a cyber bully.

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1. The Dangers of Cyber Bullying This post is originally authored at the home security blog…
2. Instant Messaging – How it Affects Your Child This post is originally authored at the home security blog…
3. Keeping your Children Safe Online This post is originally authored at the home security blog…