What to do if you or your child are cyberbullied

Often young victims of bullying are told they should "just ignore it" or "toughen up." Instead of dismissing them, they need your support when they speak up about online abuse.

Make sure your child understands that it is a myth that "weaklings tattle." In reality, those who tell are the ones who are not willing to be bullied. Speaking out and getting help are positive declarations that they deserve to be treated better.

Cyberbullying directly affects the emotional well-being of both victims and bullies. Every effort should be made to find the bully to hold them accountable for their actions and to help them change their behavior.

To help someone who is being cyberbullied:

1. If you feel that you or your child is in any way unsafe, call the police. Do not hesitate or wait to see if the abuse will stop.

2. If you or your children feel any personal threat, or someone stalks or continually harasses you, report them to the Web site where you are experiencing abuse. If the online service does not provide the support you need, change services and let them know why you changed.

3. Reputable companies should have an easily discoverable report abuse function.

   1. Report abuse to your Internet service provider (ISP) or cell phone company, and follow any instructions for documenting the problem and taking action against the abuser.

   2. Many services--blog sites, chat rooms, instant messaging services--have moderators and methods to report abuse or ways to help you block undesirable people from contacting you.

4. If the cyberbullying is related to a school or work environment, report it to the school or employer. They should have strict policies and act on them quickly.