One of the biggest issues plaguing online spaces nowadays is the issue of cyber bullying. As more and more children are acquiring access to cyberspace by joining social media websites, using instant messaging applications, etc. it is important for parents to realise the real threats and stresses their children could be put through. Cyber bullying is the process of kids being intimidated, threatened and harassed with dire consequences online by classmates. The websites mentioned below will help parents as well as children to be more aware of the impact of this problem.
Pak Parenting
This is a Pakistan based website which includes a description of what cyber bullying is and its potential impact on a child; procedures about how to mitigate the issue are also provided. This is a great effort on the part of Pak Parenting to address this deficiency in the space of cyber bullying by highlighting these issues on their website and raising awareness of such a neglected issue in Pakistani society. More information can be sought on this URL: http://www.pakparenting.com/cyberbullying-and-pakistani-youth/
Prevent your child from becoming a victim of cyber abuse
Stompout Bullying
This is an international website which caters to all dimensions of cyber bullying. The website is categorised into how your child may be being harassed online, what to do when your child gets bullied, and identifying if your kid is a bully or cyber bully himself. This is a great resource for parents interested in gaining an in-depth knowhow of various aspects of cyber bullying, its potential impact on a child and how to deal with it. More information can be sought on: http://www.stompoutbullying.org/index.php/information-and-resources/parents-page/tip-sheet-how-understand-and-handle-cyberbullying/
Kids Against Bullying
Another international website which is an excellent interactive resource for kids with in-depth videos of what cyber bullying is, how to tackle them and read about experiences of young children who have gone through it. The website is divided into subsections such as what bullying is, are you a target, do you bully, take a quiz and go through a cyber bullying presentation. More information can be sought on: http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/kab/what-is-bullying/
Commonsense Media
This website has a dedicated section to cyber bullying, detailing what it is, a section that explores questions by age, videos and articles that is nothing less than a resource haven. It gives tips and answers from the community as how to deal with cyber bullying cases and reporting them, teaching kids how to keep safe online and also includes a cyberbullying toolkit for educators and so much more. More information can be sought on: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying#
The writer, is a freelance columnist with diversified interests in Technology, Finance & History and associated with Digital Rights Foundation. He tweets @MohammadFarooq_ and blogs at http://mohammadfarooq.net
Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, March 6th, 2016
