How Can Parents Address the Mental Health Effects of Cyberbullying?

As a parent, you’d want to protect your child from the mean clutches of social and school bullying. However, one thing that slipped your mind is the prevalence of cyberbullying. According to Nemours Children’s Health, this type of bullying is probably the worst, as it uses technology to target young adults and harass them. 

Think of it this way: Your teenager posted a picture of themselves. But online trolls started writing aggressive and mean comments on it. When that happens, your child will feel self-conscious and might delete that post instantly. 

A report by the Pew Research Center proves that nearly half of American teens were harassed or bullied online. Cyberbullies have often made fun of children just because of their physical appearance. Doesn’t this make your blood boil? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the signs of cyberbullying, its mental health effects, and more.

5 Signs That Your Child Is Getting Cyberbullied

The BBC highlights that a whopping one in six teenagers worldwide have reported being harassed online. Similarly, the Annapolis Police Department in America highlights that 58% of kids have admitted that someone said hurtful things about them online. 

Cyberbullying has slowly increased in recent years because more people now have access to social media. So, do you want to recognize the signs that your child is being cyberbullied? Keep a lookout for these common ones:

1. Changes in behaviour: Your child has constant mood swings, is reluctant to use their phone, and is showing withdrawal from social settings.
2. Sudden change in online activity: There’s a change in mobile usage patterns, and they’re exhibiting secretive behaviour. 
3. Academic performance: Their grades are decreasing, and they often skip school. 
4. Mental health symptoms: Your teenager becomes overly anxious and distressed after using their phone.
5. Physical symptoms: They are having stomach aches and headaches without any apparent cause. 

How Can Cyberbullying Affect Your Child’s Mental Health?

As mentioned earlier, emotional distress after using mobile devices is a telltale sign that your child is being cyberbullied. But what are the common mental health issues your teenager might face? Reports suggest that victims of cyberbullying might develop insomnia and depressive symptoms. The other types of psychological harm include the following:

• Increased stress levels 
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness
• Social isolation, paranoia, and fear

In severe cases, your child might develop suicidal ideation or have self-harm tendencies. Hence, addressing this psychological trauma with the right tactics can safeguard your child’s future. 

How Can Parents Help?

As a parent, you might wonder why people cyberbully teenagers. Many believe that bullies do this to stay popular and feel powerful. The anonymity, social pressure, and ignorance of the consequences of cyberbullying lead them to feel invincible. While you cannot change their minds, there’s always a possibility of making your child resistant to these bullies. For that, you’ll have to follow these tips:

1. Seek Help From Professionals

Did you know that the risk of depression in bullied children was 2.77 times higher than that of those who weren’t bullied? Similarly, 57% of bully victims developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. 

Treating these mental health problems on time with the help of a professional becomes vital. Hence, you must try to find a therapist specializing in treating bullied victims, as suggested by your friends, family members, and online portals. 

They’ll host sessions with your child to determine their triggers, types of cyberbullying they faced, etc. Doing so will help them find the right treatment plan before giving the child medications for their emotional health. 

The Role of Mental Health Nurses

Sometimes, the therapist might recommend a few weeks of consistent care. That’s where a nurse with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree comes in. They are highly qualified professionals specializing in offering psychiatric care to children and adults. 

A registered nurse (RN) who gets a degree after completing the psychiatric DNP programs can legally and professionally help your child get better. They will collect your kid’s medical history and conduct psychological or psychiatric assessments. With their findings, the nurse will ensure your kid doesn’t take the wrong step and guide them towards a better life. 

According to Baylor University, DNP degrees in mental health help teach nurse practitioners about conceptual, theoretical, and clinical models of mental health. They also learn about evidence-based practice guidelines, treatment options, etc. All in all, a therapist and a nurse practitioner will work together to help your child overcome the mental health challenges caused by cyberbullying. 

2. Show Your Child That They Matter

According to the Child Mind Institute, parents must help their kids think rationally when protecting themselves. It’s best to defuse the situation if this is a one-time thing. The immediate steps to take include the following:

• Show them how much they have value as individuals.
• Help them assert boundaries. (both offline and online)
• Offer positive affirmations about their achievements and strengths.
• Reassure your child that there are people who love and care for them.
• Help them open up about the incident to a mental health professional.
• Actively and empathetically listen to them as they express their feelings.
• Offer a safe space where they can be free from judgment and criticism.
• Nurture their confidence by encouraging them to pursue their passions.
• Foster positive coping and problem-solving strategies to teach resilience.

Moreover, you should encourage your child to spend quality time and perform activities they love. Examples include hiking, camping, going on a drive, watching movies, baking cookies, etc.

3. Take Immediate Action

A chilling report by News18 mentioned how a 10-year-old boy died by suicide after he couldn’t take school bullying anymore. The worst part is that the parents informed the school at least twenty times. It’s these incidents that compel parents to take action on such events on their own. When it comes to cyberbullying, you can take immediate action to hold the culprits responsible by following these tips:

• Report the incident on relevant platforms.
• Document the evidence by taking screenshots.
• Encourage your teen to unfriend or block the bully.
• Ask your child to avoid responding to the bully’s prompts.

In the most severe cases, you can seek help from law enforcement. The StopBullying.gov website highlights that this is a crime that should be reported to the police. Seek legal help if the cyberbully involves violent threats, explicit messages, stalking, etc.

In conclusion, parents must keep an eye out for the signs of cyberbullying if their child has social media accounts. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with the mental health effects of this inhuman act. It’s best to stay vigilant and maintain open communication with your child.  If anything happens, you can seek professional help to foster resilience and help your child overcome online harassment. Ensure that your teen has access to support networks to understand the intricacies of cyberbullying and how to address it. Remember to create a supportive environment where they feel empowered, safe, and valued.