Staying safe online this summer: Catholic Charities' behavioral health team offers tips for parents & caregivers

Catholic Charities of Western New York Press Release

With summer vacation well underway, children and teens are spending more time at home, socializing with friends, and probably interacting with others through social media or video games. With the impact of social media and electronic devices, cyberbullying has increased in recent years.

The behavioral health team at Catholic Charities of Buffalo have some tips for parents and caregivers to prevent cyberbullying in addition to how to help if your child is experiencing cyberbullying.

“We would love for our children to be off electronics completely, but when that’s not possible we need to be more aware of cyberbullying and what we can do to help our kids,” said Allie Medina, M.Ed., LMHC, clinical supervisor, behavioral health at Catholic Charities. “Cyberbullying can appear as repeatedly making fun of another person online, picking on another person through text message, or engaging in hurtful comments or posts. It can also have negative effects on children, leading to increased levels of depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem and loneliness.”

Catholic Charities recommends three ways parents and caregivers can help prevent cyberbullying for their kids:

•Notice the warning signs. Some of the warning signs can include if your child appears to be nervous or defensive about hanging out with their peers or may be withdrawn from family and friends. You may also find an increase in symptoms of depression such as low motivation, isolation, irritability or being reserved.

•Set boundaries around electronic devices. Limit your child’s usage of social media platforms and time spent on phone, computer, video games or tablets.

•Restricting access to certain apps. Consider what is suitable for your child based on age, and limit exposure to adult content or harmful information. Monitor children’s access by blocking domains and checking your child’s access.

If you think your child is experiencing cyberbullying, Catholic Charities recommends taking the following steps:

•Engage in conversation. Communicate with your child and actively listen to what is happening. Be there to provide unconditional support.

•Reinforce safety. Block individuals or remove access to contact through apps or text. Remind your child to report to you or a trusted adult if bullying continues.

•Take action. Gather evidence as needed, and contact appropriate authorities if concern of harassment such as making physical threats, coercion, or creation/exchange of sexually explicit content. Seek professional mental health to help with the impacts.

Catholic Charities offers individual, children and family counseling services throughout the eight counties of Western New York. For more information, visit ccwny.org/mental-wellness.

For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities of Buffalo has provided hope to individuals and families of all faiths, backgrounds and circumstances. As the most comprehensive human services agency in Western New York, Catholic Charities delivers wide-ranging programs to address systemic poverty, sudden financial crisis, hunger, behavioral health, workforce readiness, family stability, legal immigration and resettlement, and help for older adults. More information can be found by visiting ccwny.org.