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By way of introduction, my name is Sameer Hinduja and I am an Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University.  With my colleague Justin W. Patchin of the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, we research issues of online safety and cyberbullying, and train youth, parents, educators, counselors, and law enforcement around the nation in these areas.  Please see our website for more information on what we do.

Parents around the nation have been informing us of the difficulty they are experiencing in their attempts to discuss online safety issues such as cyberbullying with their children and teenagers.  This may stem from a lack of confidence in really *knowing* the technology with which their kids seem so proficient.  It may stem from a desire to avoid being a "nag."  It may stem from an unhealthy relationship between the parent and the child where open communication just doesn't happen.  All of these factors make it difficult to broach the subject.  But it must be done in order to bring the issue to the table.  Perhaps your child will disclose some details of unpleasant experiences interacting with others in cyberspace.  Perhaps they won't.  Regardless, it is up to the parent to initiate dialogue on this topic.  Through dialogue, parents who are somewhat unfamiliar with the technology being used can learn from their children, while children who are naïve or unfamiliar with the dangers of online aggression and interacting with strangers can learn from their parents. 

The question then, is, how do we begin a discussion on this topic?  If you eat dinner together, bring it up at the dining table.  If you drive your child to school or to an after-school activity, bring it up in the vehicle.  We don't recommend you bring it up while your child is on the computer as they tend to be completely immersed in what they are doing and cannot focus on the important message that needs to be conveyed.  Just find a time when they are willingly (or unwillingly!) giving you their undivided attention, and bring up the topic.

To assist you, we've created a document with a few sample "scripts" between a parent and a teenager.  These cover cyberbullying via social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook, via email, and via cell phone text message.  We've also compiled a list of basic questions to stimulate conversation regarding Internet safety issues.  This document can be downloaded and distributed freely and widely!

Please don't hesitate to let me know at hinduja@cyberbullying.us if you found the document helpful, or if we can be of any further assistance to you.  It is essential for adults to do their part in helping youth consider and recognize the inherent dangers associated with online environments, and to remain vigilant as they interact in those spheres.  Good luck!