How do you define cyber harassment?
This represents all forms of harassment that go through new technologies. Often these are aggressive messages written by one or more individuals against a person or a mention in a post. Everything is good for spreading a rumor, insults or mockery whether it is a site, a forum, a chat, a messaging system or a smartphone. The web has a facilitating effect because the aggressor feels protected behind his screen and the virtual side gives his actions a lighter dimension. Cyber harassment can go very far, including the publication of photos, video, the sending of sextings (sexually explicit messages or photographs via sms) or even identity theft. The 12-14 age group is the most exposed and the victims are most often girls.
What are the warning signs that a parent could spot in their child?
There are no specific signs of cyber harassment, they are the same as for any type of harassment : a state of general ill-being which can be manifested by sleep disorders, a depressive state, notes in free fall …
What should we do if our child is the victim of cyber bullying?
First of all, you have to assess the situation. Then try to find out who is harassing whom and to have the names of the aggressors, while reassuring your child. It is important to gather as many elements as possible that provide proof of harassment: copy of e-mail, screenshots of messages on social networks… Once the evidence has been collected, we can file a complaint and, possibly, notify the person in charge. of the school. Although harassment is not always easy to prove, the law protects image rights and prohibits identity theft, it is important to keep this aspect in mind. After going through these different phases, it is possible to use a company specializing in e-reputation cleaning. Perhaps at the expense of the aggressor …
And what if our child is the abuser?
He must be informed of the risks he runs from a legal point of view and made him aware of the seriousness of his act. It often happens that 12-14 year olds do not realize how much they are hurting another person. As a parent, then demand that he stop all forms of harassment and apologize to the victim.
Find the advice of Stephane Clerget in his latest book “The pocket child” published by Marabout.
