How can I stop my child from experiencing online sexual harassment?
The way others behave online is not something you can control, but what you can do is to is to make sure that your child knows where to go to get support.
- Make conversations about the internet a part of everyday routine.
- Take an interested and positive approach towards the internet. This helps your child see you as someone they can talk about online problems with. Teenagers find privacy very important, but they also want to know that their parents/carers are always there to support them.
- Discuss with your child what a healthy friendship or relationship should feel like. What sorts of things do friends or partners do online that support them? What sorts of things might they do that would upset or worry them online?
- Help them recognise the difference between healthy behaviour and unacceptable behaviour online. Give them some ways they could say no or get out of an uncomfortable situation.
- Make sure they know they can ask for help from an adult.
- Discuss what is and is not a reasonable request from someone online. Young people are still learning about their personal boundaries – peer pressure can cause them to doubt to themselves. Help them have confidence to trust their instincts.
- Talk to your child about nude images online. Have there been problems with nude images getting shared around their peer group? How does your child feel about that? Be careful not to blame anyone who has had their image shared without their consent – it may send the message to your child that they would also be blamed if they experience anything similar.
- Ensure your child knows what safety tools are available online. Young people sometimes think reporting and blocking is pointless, or they will be found out. Reassure them reporting is anonymous, and that it is most effective when users explain the context and details of the unacceptable behaviour they are reporting. Find out more on Internet Matters Social Media guides and Cybersmile’s Gaming Help Centre.
- Explore parental controls on your child’s devices and your home internet connection. You can do things such as block adult content and control screen time. Find out more at Internet Matters.
How do I stop my child from doing it to others?
- Make conversations about the internet a part of everyday routine.
- Take an interested and positive approach towards the internet. This helps your child see you as someone they can talk about online problems with. Teenagers find privacy very important, but they also want to know that their parents/carers are always there to support them.
- Teach respect and empathy from an early age, so that kindness becomes ‘the norm.’
- Young people this age are starting to explore their sexuality, experimenting with their identity and often experiencing their first relationship. Create an open and supportive environment to show your child its safe to explore these topics with you and ask questions.
- Use the correct terminology for sexual anatomy or behaviour and encourage your child to do the same. Appropriately challenge any inappropriate or offensive language your child may use.
- Talk about asking permission before posting things or sharing things, so your child understands this is an important part of online friendships and relationships.
- Agree as a family on how you use the internet and technology. Set some boundaries and expectations using our Family Agreement. Talk together how you want to support them, and find a happy middle ground you are both comfortable with – teenagers have a right to their privacy too. You will both need to be flexible to make this happen.
- Encourage your child to actively support others online and know how and where to report anything worrying or upsetting.