• Never give out your email password, a photo, or any personal data, such as a physical description, phone number, or address. A person bullying could use that information to harass you in many ways.
• Never share too many personal details. For example, if you keep an online diary, someone could use that information to bully or ridicule you.
• Never share your Instant Messaging (IM) account password with anyone, even your best friend. That friend may share it with others – or the friendship may end – and your private messages could suddenly become public. A cyberbully with your password can sign on, pretend to be you, and behave inappropriately with others to embarrass and humiliate you.
• Keep social media accounts private and do not “friend” people you do not know.
• Never respond with “revenge bullying,” as this can lead to a cycle of not only being bullied, but also become someone who bullies.
• Know what your children are doing online
• Privacy is important, but safety is more important. As a parent, you have a responsibility to know what your child is doing online. Establish rules about your access to your child’s cell phones, text history, social networking sites, and other accounts they may use for posting information. Make decisions about passwords, how often you will check the accounts, and how inappropriate information will be handled.
• Keep your child’s computer in an open area, such as the family room, where you can supervise your child’s Internet activity. Decide if there will be limits on access to using technology to communicate with peers, such as no computer or texting after 9 p.m., during meals, or until homework is done.
• If you do discover that your child is experiencing cyberbullying, document it by printing the emails or web pages, saving electronic copies, and contacting your child’s school or the police.