Digital Citizenship

Tips for Parents

With guidance from parents and educators, kids can learn how to dodge the drama and stand up for others:

1. Define your terms. Make sure kids know what cyberbullying is.
2. Check in about online life. Who are they chatting with? How do they treat each other in games and online?
3. Role-play. Talk through words kids can use to steer conversations in positive directions.
4. Encourage upstanding. Supporting a friend or acquaintance being bullied can make a big difference.
5. Take breaks. Set limits and put devices to bed at a specific time.
6. Review worst-case steps. See the Tips for Children below for immediate actions kids can take if bullied.

See "Help Kids Fight Cyberbullying and Other Mean Online Behavior" on CommonSense.org for more information.

Tips for Children

To prepare your child for going online, or if you know they're being bullied, share these steps they can take right away:

1. Turn off the screen.
2. Don't respond or retaliate.
3. Block the bully.
4. Use reporting tools.
5. Save or take a screenshot of bullying messages.
6. Talk to a friend.
7. Tell a trusted adult.

See "What Should I Do If My Child Is Bullied Online?" on CommonSense.org for more information.