The family perspective
The family is a changing system—and a system within other systems in a changing world (Sigelman & Rider, 2009). These changes include advancement in the world of technology. Parents of adolescent children or even possibly younger children will relate to the impact technology has on their children’s lives. Whether it is for educational purposes, entertainment or social relations, it is inevitable that technology is part of today’s youth lives.
The family is a changing system—and a system within other systems in a changing world (Sigelman & Rider, 2009). These changes include advancement in the world of technology. Parents of adolescent children or even possibly younger children will relate to the impact technology has on their children’s lives. Whether it is for educational purposes, entertainment or social relations, it is inevitable that technology is part of today’s youth lives.
Family, is like the human body, it is truly a whole consisting of interrelated parts, each of which affects and is affected by every other part, and each of which contributes to the functioning of the whole (Bornstein & Sawyer, 2006; Parke & Buriel, 2006 as cited in Sigelman & Rider, 2009 p438). When a member of a family goes through an ordeal such as cyber bullying whether they are the victim or the perpetrator the consequences that arise can cause a ripple effect felt by their entire family. However parents may find it difficult to detect if their child is being subjected to or is instigating cyber bullying as the signs could easily be dismissed as just normal teenager behaviour.
Detecting the signs of cyber bullying can be difficult when there is so many other factors that influence a teenagers behavior such as:
- The back to front development of the brain explains why children’s thinking skills and behaviours seem quite mature at times while others seem illogical, impulsive or emotional (Raising children network, 2013).
- Teenagers typically spend more time and confer with their peers than they do with their parents (Bullying statistics, 2013).
- Teenagers tend to use technology differently to their parents (Kids health, 2014).
It's not always easy to know how and when to step in as a parent (Kids health, 2014). However turning a blind eye or ignoring any suspicions or accusations could have detrimental effects. Parents who take the time to ensure their child is well educated in netiquette, before they allow them to have access to the internet or mobile phones could help reduce cyber bullying (Australian human rights commission, 2011). Parents have a responsibility to learn what bullying means and the consequences it can have for both the bully and the victim (Bullying statistics, 2013). This can be achieved if parents understand that:
· Bullying is not normal behavior or just part of growing up.
· Cyber bullying can cross the line into illegal behavior.
· Monitoring students internet activities can help to keep reduce cyber bullying.
· Only through communication will they know what their child is experiencing or even doing.
· Contrary to popular misconceptions, bullies generally have friends and a high self-esteem.
(Bullying statistics, 2013).
Unfortunately many teenage children are dealing with both physiological and emotional issues stemming from cyber bulling. The repercussions arising from these issues do not only effect the victim they also flow onto the family and friends around them. The following clip is a segment from Sunrise (2012), that was aired to bring to the public's attention how Olivia Penpraze took her own life after being subjected to cyber bullying for most of her adolescent years. The interview allows Olivia Penpraze's parents to speak out about the death of their daughter while also demonstrating how easily parents can be out of touch with their own child as they claim they had no idea how their daughter was feeling or the bullying she was subjected to.
· Bullying is not normal behavior or just part of growing up.
· Cyber bullying can cross the line into illegal behavior.
· Monitoring students internet activities can help to keep reduce cyber bullying.
· Only through communication will they know what their child is experiencing or even doing.
· Contrary to popular misconceptions, bullies generally have friends and a high self-esteem.
(Bullying statistics, 2013).
Unfortunately many teenage children are dealing with both physiological and emotional issues stemming from cyber bulling. The repercussions arising from these issues do not only effect the victim they also flow onto the family and friends around them. The following clip is a segment from Sunrise (2012), that was aired to bring to the public's attention how Olivia Penpraze took her own life after being subjected to cyber bullying for most of her adolescent years. The interview allows Olivia Penpraze's parents to speak out about the death of their daughter while also demonstrating how easily parents can be out of touch with their own child as they claim they had no idea how their daughter was feeling or the bullying she was subjected to.
The following Youtube clip was created by Olivia before she took her own life. The clip gives a small insight into why Olivia's parents did not see the warning signs.
Parents can increase their child’s chances of being safe from bullies online by telling them:
- Do not share your private information like passwords, name and address, phone numbers with people you don’t know. This can also include sharing of photos of yourself, your friends and your family.
- Don’t respond to messages when you are angry or hurt - either to strangers and also to people you know. This will often encourage them to continue or increase their harassment of you.
- Log out and stop messaging if you feel you are being harassed.
- Remember you have the option to block, delete and report anyone who is harassing you online and on your mobile.
- Find out how to report bullying and harassment on each of the different social networks that you use.
- Keep a record of calls, messages, posts and emails that may be hurtful or harmful to you.
- Remember to set up the privacy options on your social networking sites like Facebook in a way you are comfortable with.
The following document was created by Elly Robinson (2013), for the Australian institute of family studies. It provides parents with definitions and statistics related to cyber bullying. The document describes how parents’ can be more involved in preventing and responding to cyber bullying incidents (Robinson, 2013). The aim of the paper is to assist parents to clarify their roles, and provide them with the tools to help their children engage in responsible online behaviour (Robinson, 2013).