DIGITAL AWARENESS
Smartphones, tablets and other devices have been found to be directly linked to isolation, depression, and anxiety in individuals.
RESOURCES
Instagram Is Trying to Curb Bullying. First, It Needs to Define Bullying.
The anti-bullying effort is part of a larger attempt by Instagram and its parent company, Facebook, to clean themselves up. Both platforms have struggled to contain a flood of toxic behavior, extreme content and misinformation on their services.
How to Keep Your Kids Safe From Cyberbullying
No type of bullying is acceptable, but cyberbullying can be harder for parents to spot because it takes place via cellphone, computer or tablet, often through social media. Cyberbullying can be a hateful text message or post of embarrassing pictures, videos and even...
Cyberbullying
Imagine a classmate posts a photo of themselves online. Someone else makes a mean, mocking comment about the photo. Soon, that photo has been shared, liked, reposted—even made into a meme. Thousands of people have seen it, even people the person being targeted doesn’t know. That’s why cyberbullying can be extra hurtful: it’s public, it spreads quickly, and it’s 24/7.
Cyberbullying Tactics
It is important to understand how children are cyberbullied so it can be easily recognized and action can be taken.
Kids on Social Media and Gaming
Digital media and apps allow children to communicate and express their creativity, connect with peers, and share their feelings. However, they can be an avenue through which cyberbullying occurs. There are many types of apps and sites available for free that give users the ability to search for people and share or post information about them anonymously.
Parents may not be aware of the apps that their children use regularly or may not be aware of the risks involved in using them. There are many ways that cyberbullying can be hidden in apps and sites, such as texts, videos, and web calls that disappear or do not appear on the device’s call or text message logs.
Report Cyberbullying
When cyberbullying happens, it is important to document and report the behavior so it can be addressed.
What Teens Can Do
Bullying stops us from being who we want to be, and prevents us from expressing ourselves freely, and might even make us feel unsafe. If you are bullied, say something! If you are bullying, it’s not cool!
Who Is at Risk
No single factor puts a child at risk of being bullied or bullying others. Bullying can happen anywhere—cities, suburbs, or rural towns. Depending on the environment, some groups—such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) youth, youth with disabilities, and socially isolated youth—may be at an increased risk of being bullied.
The Roles Kids Play in Bullying
There are many roles that kids can play. Kids can bully others, they can be bullied, or they may witness bullying. When kids are involved in bullying, they often play more than one role. Sometimes kids may both be bullied and bully others or they may witness other...
Establishing Rules
Parents create trust with children by initiating open, honest discussions. These dialogues are an opportunity to communicate values and expectations about your family’s appropriate digital behavior, including viewing or sharing content, and apps they can and cannot use.
MORE RESOURCES
ANXIETY
Many adults have anxiety, but did you know that the number of teens with anxiety is at an all-time high? Having excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with compulsive behavior or panic attacks is not uncommon for a person with anxiety disorder.
TEEN SUPPORT
Children become preteens, and preteens mold into teenagers who then become young adults. KidsMatter has an abundance of resources for fourth graders to young adults who are managing academic, social and emotional stressors daily.
STRESS
Teen stress can rival an adult's, according to the American Psychological Association, but chronic stress for all Americans is becoming a national epidemic, especially for those who are 25 to 35 years of age.
ABUSE & ADDICTION
Having your physical and mental health rely on a substance can add complexity and a loss of control to your life. KidsMatter relies on resources from our trusted and reputable partners to assist individuals and families understand why addiction and abuse happens and how to prevent it.
DIGITAL AWARENESS
Smartphones, tablets and other devices have been found to be directly linked to isolation, depression, and anxiety in individuals. KidsMatter regularly holds educational series aimed at educating the community on how to prevent digital addiction and practice a healthy balance of using technology.
SUICIDE
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and around 14 out of 100,000 people die each year from suicide. KidsMatter's #1 resource is our Crisis Text Line to assist those in crisis and our suicide resources can help you or someone you know who is in need.
MINDFULNESS
Having your physical and mental health rely on a substance can add complexity and a loss of control to your life. KidsMatter relies on resources from our trusted and reputable partners to assist individuals and families understand why addiction and abuse happens and how to prevent it.
PARENT SUPPORT
Parents need to learn about today’s toughest parenting challenges, and KidsMatter wants to help. We are a reliable source of expert information, resources, and suggestions when you don’t know where else to turn.
DEPRESSION
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that can cause severe symptoms that affect how you may feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Depression can happen at any age and to anyone, and even the most severe cases, can be treated.
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