How can I help my child if it happens to them?
We asked young people what they would want their parents to do or say, if they went to them for help. Their answers are reflected below:
- Listen, and be available. Create opportunities for you and your child to talk together. They may not be ready to talk the first time you ask.
- Acknowledge that young people and adults use the internet differently. Your child may know more than you about how different apps and sites and work, and the way harassment can happen online. Listen and use this to understand the context of what has happened.
- Remain non-judgemental and calm. What your child tells you may be hard to hear. Take some time out to come to terms with it.
- Show empathy and understanding. Let your child know that you believe them and allow them to explain what has happened in their own time.
- Ask open questions, such as, “What happened?” or, “What can I do to help?” rather than questions that suggest blame, e.g. “Why did you do that?”
- Be honest. If you are not sure what to do next, explain that you need time to understand and find out, but that you could do this together. Reassure them that telling you was the right thing to do.
- Explain how you will support them so that they feel safe and reassured.
- Try not to take away access to the technology your child loves. They may feel more isolated as a result, and unable to connect with friends for support.
- Take action to report and remove content. Find out how to do this here.