Assistant Principal's Report

Cyberbullying: Conversations With Kids Can Make a Positive Difference  

Cyberbullying is a real concern for many parents, with 82% feeling anxious about keeping their children safe online, according to a recent national survey by Triple P. As the ways our kids connect online continue to grow, it’s more important than ever to help them develop the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely. Encouraging our children to make good choices online and ensuring they know they can talk to a trusted adult if something upsetting happens are key steps to protecting them.

One of the best ways to prepare kids for tricky online situations is by having open and relaxed conversations tailored to their age and understanding. Using “what if” scenarios can be a great way to help them think about how they might respond. For example, asking “What if a stranger messaged you during an online game?” or “How would you feel if you saw a classmate being bullied on social media?” can help them feel more confident in handling these situations if they arise.

It’s common for children to feel scared or worried about talking to us if they experience something upsetting online, especially if they think they might get in trouble. That’s why it’s so important to create a calm, non-judgemental space where they feel safe to share their concerns. By fostering an environment of trust, we can ensure our children feel comfortable coming to us when they need support.

For practical conversation-starters about cyberbullying, read Triple P’s latest parenting article. 

Who is Tripple P?

Parents have a central role in determining the development, health, learning, and wellbeing of their children through parenting. To support parents, the Australian government and various state governments have made policy commitments to improve the accessibility of evidence-based parenting programs (e.g., Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care funded the national rollout of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program as part of the Parenting Education Support Program [PESP]).

Parents and carers can learn strategies to raise capable, resilient kids with support from Triple P Online.