Common Types of Online Abuse Your Children Could Face Online

- CYBERSTALKING is when the cyber stalker uses the internet in a repeated, persistent, and intrusive way to control, intimidate or track your children. Steps to take 1. Urge them not to reply to the messages. 2. Collect evidence of the stalker’s actions (e.g., screenshots). 3. Report the stalker to the platform and the authorities if necessary. 4. Block the stalker on all online platforms. 5. Help them make their profile private. - IMPERSONATING is when the imposter steals the identity of your children without their consent and creates a new account in their name with the intent to post fake and harmful information. Steps to take 1. Have them send out a warning to all contacts and report the imposter. 2. Have them change their password with a stronger one if they can still access the account. 3. Ask friends and family to report to the platform that the account has been stolen. 4. Keep evidence of the imposter’s activities. - FLAMING is when hateful comments or insults, called “flames”, are traded between users when there is a heated difference of opinions on a topic. Steps to take 1. Urge them not to respond to these comments or posts. 2. Mute or delete the post that ignited the flames. 3. Ask them to apologize and explain their intentions politely. 4. Remind them the necessity to always remain calm and be civil. - HATE SPEECH is when a person attacks your children’s identity, such as their race, ethnicity, religion, disability, health etc. Steps to take 1. Help them report to the platform any posts or people that spread hate. 2. Explain what hate speech is and why people might resort to it. 3. Remind them that they always have your support. - DOXING is when your children’s private information, such as their real name, home address, phone, and other personal information is published online without their consent as a call to harm them. Steps to take 1. Keep screenshots and evidence. 2. Report the issue to the platform. 3. Get the posts including their personal information deleted. 4. Help them protect the files that contain their personal information with a password. Don't panic if your children ever get exposed to any type of cybercrime and keep in mind that there is a solution for every problem.