Let’s rise above to end bullying.
Disclaimer – I am a #TELUS_partner and this post was written in affiliation with TELUS. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.
When I was a kid, we didn’t have the internet, smartphones, or even our own computers/laptops. Yes, I’m that old!
If someone was going to bully you, they’d have to do it in person. There was no spreading of rumours or photos via social media/online. It was through actual word of mouth — to your face or behind your back, but nothing like kids and teens have it today.
Did you know that over one million Canadian kids have been cyberbullied in the last four weeks?
Friday, June 21 is Stop Cyberbullying Day, an international awareness day launched by The Cybersmile Foundation. Founded on June 17, 2012, #StopCyberBullyingDay takes place on the third Friday of June annually. Stop Cyberbullying Day encourages people around the world to show their commitment toward a truly inclusive and diverse online environment for all.
As a mother, this is an initiative I am passionate about supporting. 
My child is only ten years old, and is not online much, but she does go online for assignments in Google classroom and to do homework and research. She occasionally goes online to chat with her cousins and her friends. This said, some of my friends have children and teens who have been (or are currently being) cyberbullied. Kids as young as ten and eleven years old are receiving extremely hurtful/rude comments and even threats from peers. Pre-teen and teen years and the relationships and dynamics with peers can sometimes be difficult to navigate. It’s important to have a conversation with your child/tween/teen about using social media, being safe online, and let them know your family’s rules for using social media and/or their smartphone (if they have one). Remember a few years ago when the post about how one mom set some ground rules for her 13 year old son’s smartphone use went viral?
If you’re looking for some resources to help you rise above cyberbullying, TELUS has some tips and information for parents, students, teachers, and coaches.
TELUS wants us to help ensure the digital space is a safe place by taking the TELUS Wise Digital Pledge.
I’ve taken the pledge to help end bullying. Will you?
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