When kids or young people need help with any aspect of the online environment it is heartening to know that there are excellent resources available. The challenge for parents and educators is finding ways of encouraging them to access help. The online world is unpredictable and even those who act responsibly can be targeted and subject to hacking, cyberbullying, unwanted communications and fraud. We all have to be vigilant and that is the message that should be constantly reinforced with kids and young people.
The Office of eSafety advocate in times of uncertainly, children and young people should first confide in a trusted adult. Simply changing settings can minimize unwanted communications but if the situation has become more serious it may be necessary to report it to the administrators of the particular platform.
When faced unwanted communication Kids Help Line’s advice to kids and young people to try to stay calm. This is probably one of the most difficult things to achieve as cyberbullying or coming face to face with harmful content is usually designed to provoke and confront. Young people should take this emotional reaction as a signpost to immediately seek help; to debrief with a trusted adult, to decide on next steps and to gain the emotional support that is necessary at that time.