Expert Patricia Bolwerk: ‘This is how to deal with cyberbullying’.

From mean messages under a social media post to threats via WhatsApp or sharing images or videos: the digital world has many risks. What can you do as a parent against cyberbullying? We spoke with Stop Pesten Nu founder Patricia Bolwerk.

Recognizing cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is mainly a problem among young people: they were born with mobile phones in their hands and know the internet well. Although you might think that online bullying is mostly anonymous, it is different. Patricia, founder of Stop Pesten Nu says, “Bullies always want to see that their behavior hurts victims and show bystanders how strong they are. Cyberbullying happens exactly in online groups.”

But how do you know if your child is being bullied online? “It often shows in non-verbal communication,” says Patricia. “Is your child much quieter, easily upset, more aggressive, or more withdrawn than usual? Then something might be wrong.”

Do you want to know how to recognize bullying? Read here.

Preventing cyberbullying

Do you want to protect your child from bullying? “Always watch your child’s online environment. Especially until the first year of secondary school. You can make your own profile to add your child and see what they share, post, and respond to. And what others share, post, and write, of course. It can be good to agree with your child that you sometimes read WhatsApp chats. This way you see what happens in a group chat and what your child writes.” It may seem like a lot, but this interest in the online world is important. “There are many apps and platforms: learn about them and let your child explain what they do.”

The main goal is to lower the threshold for your child. “So your child always dares to come to you. Talk about online behavior from a young age, including gaming. Ask questions like: ‘Hey, how was it online today?’ And if your child experiences something and asks for help? “Then ask how they would solve it if you were not there. This way your child learns to make smart online choices.”

Read here what you can do to stop the bullying.

Bullies always want to see that their behavior hurts victims and show bystanders how strong they are. Cyberbullying happens exactly in online groups.

My child is bullied online: what now?

The main tip: support your child in every way. Bullying is never the fault of the victim. “Ask what happened and how. Talk together about who to report the behavior to and what you can do. Also if it is not about your own child but you know a classmate is bullied. Doing nothing is not an option: that means you agree with the bullying,” Patricia explains. On the stoppestennu.nl website you find more tips.

Also the Kindertelefoon is a good help for your child. If cyberbullying changes into threatening, stalking, insulting, discriminating, or slander? Then it can be punishable by law.

Is bullying punishable? Read here.