Cyberbullying – does the solution lie in control or connection?
These days there seems to be an abundance of articles in the media linked to cyberbullying and the awful impacts thereof. Many are buzzing about the dangers of social media, toxic masculinity, online radicalisation and more.
Yes, these are real concerns and that’s why we at Cybernetic Shield are passionate about helping to keep children safer online, and more importantly, be there to support them when an incident occurs.
The fear is not new.
In fact, it’s been around for decades!
Every generation has been convinced that the latest teen obsession would lead to their teen’s downfall and moral decay.
Parents panic, trying to shield their children from the latest “threat”, so they hover, micromanage, restrict, punish, nag, lecture…
But in the process, are we missing the real issues our children are struggling with?
Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” makes a powerful case for the need for more real-life connection, play, and independence to counteract the negative impact of tech, which is why simply taking tech away is not going to resolve the problem.
The hard truth is that there will always be a new threat around the corner more powerful than the last and there will always be people who use tech in harmful ways.
From what certain psychologists say, children’s mental health isn’t being shattered by what they see online – it’s being crushed by the real-life pressures they’re carrying every single day.
And instead of feeling supported, they hear: “If you’d just stay off that damn phone…”
They feel invalidated, misunderstood, and unsupported.
Could it be that screens are not the root problem and neither is social media?
Could it be about how children feel when they log on? When they’re already hurting? When they feel judged, invalidated, or chronically stressed?
That’s when they’re vulnerable. That’s when the internet can become a dark place. Not because of what’s on the screen — but because of what’s already in their hearts and minds before they log on.
Instead of trying to protect our children from every new “threat” (because there will always be another one), let’s focus on building their resilience, confidence, and sense of belonging, especially at home.
The “bad influences” will keep changing.
But what won’t change?
The fact that a strong, supportive relationship with you is the best protection they’ll ever have.
Want to truly protect your children from the dangers online? Have more real, meaningful conversations with them.
Cyberbullying – does the solution lie in control or connection?
These days there seems to be an abundance of articles in the media linked to cyberbullying and the awful impacts thereof. Many are buzzing about the dangers of social media, toxic masculinity, online radicalisation and more.
Yes, these are real concerns and that’s why we at Cybernetic Shield are passionate about helping to keep children safer online, and more importantly, be there to support them when an incident occurs.
The fear is not new.
In fact, it’s been around for decades!
Every generation has been convinced that the latest teen obsession would lead to their teen’s downfall and moral decay.
Parents panic, trying to shield their children from the latest “threat”, so they hover, micromanage, restrict, punish, nag, lecture…
But in the process, are we missing the real issues our children are struggling with?
Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” makes a powerful case for the need for more real-life connection, play, and independence to counteract the negative impact of tech, which is why simply taking tech away is not going to resolve the problem.
The hard truth is that there will always be a new threat around the corner more powerful than the last and there will always be people who use tech in harmful ways.
From what certain psychologists say, children’s mental health isn’t being shattered by what they see online – it’s being crushed by the real-life pressures they’re carrying every single day.
And instead of feeling supported, they hear: “If you’d just stay off that damn phone…”
They feel invalidated, misunderstood, and unsupported.
Could it be that screens are not the root problem and neither is social media?
Could it be about how children feel when they log on? When they’re already hurting? When they feel judged, invalidated, or chronically stressed?
That’s when they’re vulnerable. That’s when the internet can become a dark place. Not because of what’s on the screen — but because of what’s already in their hearts and minds before they log on.
Instead of trying to protect our children from every new “threat” (because there will always be another one), let’s focus on building their resilience, confidence, and sense of belonging, especially at home.
The “bad influences” will keep changing.
But what won’t change?
The fact that a strong, supportive relationship with you is the best protection they’ll ever have.
Want to truly protect your children from the dangers online? Have more real, meaningful conversations with them.