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They may show anxiety when receiving texts or become troubled or upset after using the computer. Ongoing abuse can result in depression, with changes in appetite and sleep patterns.  Children may resist attending school or group gatherings. Secretiveness when using devices like mobile phones or tablets is also common.

How can parents help

As a private investigator, I have seen what can happen when parents are completely unaware of their children’s online activities.  Parents need to become as familiar as possible with the types of technology and gadgets their children are using. This involves knowing about privacy and security settings and making sure they are used.

Many children go online from a very early age, especially if they have mobile phones. A parent has to exercise some control in this situation because a young child will not be aware of the consequences of some of their actions.

Parents must communicate with their children about the importance of privacy. They must be aware that they need to keep a mobile number safe and share it only with trusted friends. They need to understand that it’s not a good idea to share too much personal information online.

Children also need to be made aware that bullying, in whatever form, is never acceptable and the consequences are serious. Parents who have open communication with their children are far more likely to be told if they are being bullied. They need to encourage their children to come to them with problems of this nature.

Children also need to be told that they should not respond to the bully in any way. They should tell their parents instead.

Protecting children is not as simple as removing their digital devices. A parent’s first impulse on discovering a child is being bullied may be to take away a mobile phone.  This can do more harm than good as the child will probably feel as though he or she is being punished. At the same time, this action isolates them even more from their friends.

Some concerned parents take protection too far and stop access to all devices. This makes children feel angry and persecuted. It affects open communication with them and often makes it more likely for them to rebel and go online outside of the home.

Steps to take when parents find out they are being bullied

If kids are being bullied, it is important for parents to reassure them that they are victims and are in no way to blame for what has happened.  One action that can be taken is to block the bully and most devices have settings that allow this.