If your son is being bullied over the Internet or through other kinds of information technology (that is, cyber bullied), take these steps.
  • Contact the bully’s parents. As calmly as possible, let them know about the bullying and describe its effects on your son. Explain that you will be contacting the school with the information about the cyber bullying. If the bully’s parents don’t seem to be taking the problem seriously, add that you will notify the police if necessary.
  • Change your son’s email address, cell phone number, passwords, and so on. Make sure he understands that he is never to give his passwords to any of his friends no matter what the circumstances or how much he trusts hem. Once your son has a new cell phone number and email address, remind him to share them only with his close friends and his family.
  • Contact the school. If both boys attend the same school and if the bullying has been going on for some time, tell school personnel what is happening. They may have some suggestions about ways to help. If they know about the problem, they can monitor the bully’s actions at school.
  • Keep personal information private. Remind your son never to give out personal information over the Internet—no exceptions.
  • Don’t respond. If your teen receives a threatening message or experiences any other types of bullying behavior online or on his cell phone, tell him not to respond. Explain that the bully is looking for a reaction, preferably one of distress or fear. By failing to respond, your son is taking away the bully’s power.
  • Don’t forward. If your son receives an email or any other form of electronic communication about someone else that is hostile or defamatory, make sure he doesn' forward it to anyone. Remind him that if he does forward such communication, he could find himself in just as much trouble as the person who sent it to him. Your son should contact a responsible adult and show him or her any communication that he feels is inappropriate.
  • Keep records. Keep every example of cyber bullying that your son receives. Make sure the date and source of the communication are clear. Keep this information organized in an electronic or paper file (or both) to use as proof later if you need to.
  • Do your research. Search online or contact your local police department to find out what the cyber bullying laws are in your state. Many states are creating tougher laws to help kids understand the seriousness of cyber bullying.
  • Join with other parents.Join an existing group focused on cyber bullying or form one to research and discuss this form of social violence and take steps to address it.