Because cyberbullying can range from rude comments to lies, impersonations, and threats, your responses may depend on the nature and severity of the cyberbullying. Here are some actions that you may want to take after-the-fact.
- Strongly encourage your child not to respond to such bullying.
- Do not erase the messages or pictures. Save these as evidence.
- Try to identify the individual doing the cyberbullying. Even if the cyberbully is anonymous, there may be a way to track them through your Internet Service Provider. If the cyberbullying is criminal (or if you suspect that it may be), contact the police and ask them to do the tracking.
- Sending inappropriate language may violate the "Terms and Conditions" of e-mail services, Internet Service Providers, websites, and cell phone companies. Consider contacting these providers and filing a complaint.
- If the cyberbullying is coming through e-mail or a cell phone, it may be possible to block future contact from the bully.
- Consider contacting the cyber bully's parent, but proceed cautiously. If you decide to contact a cyber bylly's parents, communicate with them in writing -- not face-to-face.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
