I felt as though I needed to write about this as it is still quite present and unfortunately active in our lives. I started writing it on December 14th and have to keep coming back to it as it triggers me so much. Charlie plays online a lot, I have to supervise every second, the minute I don’t it is the potential for someone to take advantage of Charlie and that is simply a road I don’t want to go down. It’s challenging enough to raise children without the fear that your child would be targeted by an online bully. It honestly is the worst fear a parent can have. Unfortunately for a SEN child the risks are even higher, because of speech and language barriers and the risks of communication misinterpretation it is an even bigger worry for our children.

Children can say some hurtful and harmful words that stick with a child, long after the word has been said and the child has moved on from the argument. For children, it damages their self worth, esteem and confidence and sometimes the damage is irreparable. But what about when adults do it? That is even more dehumanising, an adult one in their thirties say should not be posting on social media derogatory personal insults about an individual, I think it says more about them as a person than what it does about the person they are insulted.

It is a coward’s way of arguing, a simple keyboard warrior and we can give children that benefit of doubt but anyone over the age of 25 that behaves like this is a bully plain and simple. A cyber bully, as described in the Cambridge Dictionary is:

someone who uses the internet to harm or frighten another person

Using the internet to intentional harm someone’s feelings is beyond reproach in my opinion and it is even worse when it is aimed at a vulnerable child or adult. Let’s not forget that our children will someday become vulnerable adults and it may not be possible to provide support to them 24/7. I have shockingly witnessed grown women abusing others over the internet, giving insults, commenting on dress sense and hair styles and being offensive over a person’s mental illness and disability. When I see men and women in their 30s that behave like this, and have teenage children I pity them. I pity them and hope that their own children never suffer from the wrath of someone like their own parents. I wonder if they stop and think about the person they are bullying online and how they would feel if someone was being offensive and insulting about their child’s dress sense, hairstyle or disability.

Unfortunately bullying someone online isn’t illegal, It really should be because the damage it does is horrific and affects families, not just individuals. However harassment is. Harassment, discrimination or victimisation is legally covered by the Equality Act 2010. It is illegal to discriminate or victimise a person based on their disability. I have popped a link below.

Equality Act 2010: guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Of course, children with SEN, ASD and additional needs don’t always know they are being bullied, harassed or discriminated against. The often lack the mental capacity, self awareness, social cues and communication skills that are needed to respond to bullies and keep themselves safe online. This has been a growing concern for parents and carers especially for those that have SEN children. Young Minds, a national charity did some extensive research packed with information about the impact of cyberbullying on children. The link is below

pcr144b_social_media_cyberbullying_inquiry_full_report.pdf (youngminds.org.uk)

As you can see, I feel very passionate about cyber bullying and I want to raise as much awareness as I can, because the affects are truly damaging and we all must do our part to keep vulnerable children safe. There are some resources here to help with identifying bullying and free online training, please look, read and share.

Bullying worksheets for kids; gradeschool anit bullying worksheets (keepyourchildsafe.org)

Classifying Bullying Lessons, Worksheets and Activities (teacherplanet.com)

Free cyberbullying resources for teachers - Childnet

Free Workplace Violence and Harassment Training Power Point - Eversafe Training Inc.

Free CPD online training | Anti-Bullying Alliance (anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk)

I know I could write all night about this subject. But as it goes, Charlie is sat next to me wanting to go on TikTok (one of the worst) and I won’t even entertain that idea without supervising him.

I’m sorry it took so long to get out.

Georgina x