Barça Foundation shares tips to prevent cyberbullying

Barça Foundation shares tips to prevent cyberbullying

Barça Foundation published tips for cyberbullying prevention, to protect children online. Cyberbullying is an aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself.

Due to the current pandemic, many children are forced to stay home more than usual. This has led to a considerable increase in youngsters’ screen time. While using their PC for homeschooling, staying entertained or in contact with their friends and being on social media, children spend many hours online. Especially on social media sites, children can become victims of cyberbullying. Barça Foundation has published helpful tips for children and their parents to prevent cyberbullying:

Healthy habits online

1. Sleep without devices
2. Disconnect during family meals
3. Avoid excessive connection. There is time for everything: sports, laughter, books, studying, music…

Online security measures for children

1. Use parental control on devices
2. Close the device’s camera
3. Be skeptical of “deals” or gifts
4. Use social media with private profiles
5. Do not provide personal information

Keep your profile secure

1. Use a strong password and change it frequently
2. Do not lend your phone to others
3. Disable geolocation on your mobile
4. Configure privacy settings for each online profile

What is grooming?

1. When an adult approaches a child online with sexual intent, using fake profiles
2. Tell children of the dangers of speaking with strangers on social media
3. Talk to your children about their online friendships 

Accompany your children

1. Now is a good time to get acquainted with the digital world of your children
2. Talk with them and see what sites they visit
3. Help them identify places (sites, social media platforms, etc.) that aren’t suitable for their age

How do we prevent cyberbullying?

1. Children need to be careful when posting content
2. The content must be respectful
3. It is important that they have a private profile to prevent cyberbullying by third parties

What to do if your children are harassed online

1. Children that are being harassed or bullied often stay silent and do not tell their parents or teachers
2. Bullies can be blocked and, if appropriate, reported

The digital identity of our children

1. It’s easier to say things behind a screen that we wouldn’t say face-to-face
2. We need to let children know that everything that happens online is recorded, and that it can have legal, or other, consequences

What do we post on social networks?

1. We lose control of the content we post
2. This content can circulate widely and reach people we do not want to see it
3. It is important that children do not submit content which may embarrass them if it reaches others

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