The Doctors: Cyber Bullying
The Doctors shared that a University of Pittsburgh study found that over 40% of teens have been cyber abused, which includes monitoring and stalking one’s whereabouts, arguing incessantly via text, and making threats with disturbing posts. So should parents scrutinize their teen’s love life in order to protect them? Dr Mike Dow said he used to work in L.A. public schools and if you’re dealing with online bullying, you first have to disengage. Then, report and block the person.
The Doctors discussed cyber bullying and what you can do to protect your kids from the abuse. (Suzanne Tucker / Shutterstock.com)
Dr Dow said you also have to go to what’s underneath when it comes to bullying, which is self-esteem. He said he was working with teenage gang members who felt like no one cared about them, and those kids are more likely to be bullied. As a parent, if you can figure out how to make your kid feel valued, you can help the situation.
The Drs TV: Protect Your Kids Against Bullying
What if you felt like you’ve done everything right as a parent, but your kid is the one doing the bullying? Dr Dow said the bullies have low self-worth just like the other kids, so the same strategies have to be used when it comes to parenting those kids. Dr Drew Ordon said cyber bullying has to do with adults as well, especially when it comes to pressuring another person.
Dr Travis Stork said that according to a Northwestern study, one in three women may be pressured to send photos. Dr Dow said that people need to remember that the pictures live forever. He said if the person is pressuring you to do something, it’s probably not someone you want to be in a relationship with.
As a parent, it’s concerning to think about having to worry about even more things you have to protect your kids from. The most important thing it be aware. Understand what your kid could be dealing with and try to help them in every way possible.
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