Why Parents Need to Understand the Different Types of Cyberbullying to Keep Kids Safe Online

Parents today are raising kids in a digital world that we ourselves never had

to navigate growing up. Our children live in group chats, online games, social platforms, and digital classrooms. That means their social experiences do not stop when the bell rings. And because of that, understanding the different types of cyberbullying is not optional. It is an essential part of keeping our kids safe.

The truth is that cyberbullying is no longer just “mean comments online.” It has evolved into multiple forms, each with its own risks and emotional impact. When parents don’t know what to look for, kids often stay silent. Not because they want to, but because they don’t have the language to describe what’s happening. 

And let’s be real. Kids also fear losing their devices, their privacy, or their social connections.

This is why learning the different types of cyberbullying matters.

Kids Cannot R...

My oldest child was born the same year the iPhone was first released. At the time, many people thought smartphones might be a passing trend.

Here we are years later, watching adults scroll through phones in grocery lines and restrooms, and raising children who have never known a world without smart devices.

That reality alone is worth pausing over.

Today’s kids are being introduced to technology earlier than ever. A 2017 survey by Common Sense Media found that by age 11, more than half of children had their own smartphone, and by age 12, nearly 70 percent did.

With that access comes exposure to information children are often not emotionally prepared to handle.

Early Exposure Comes With Real Risks

Many parents are surprised to learn that the average child in the United States is accidentally exposed to explicit content between the ages of seven and eight.

Add to that the fact that many children experience online bullying, social pressure, or unsafe interactions long before they k...

How much do you really know about cyberbullying?

The term “cyberbullying” first appeared in 1998 and refers to bullying that takes place online through digital platforms. In simple terms, cyberbullying is bullying that follows someone wherever they go, through phones, tablets, computers, and social media.

Unlike playground bullying, cyberbullying leaves digital footprints. Old posts, comments, and messages can resurface years later, which is why you may hear about celebrities or public figures being held accountable for harmful content shared early in the internet age.

As technology has evolved, cyberbullying has increased. Unfortunately, laws and protections have struggled to keep up.

The Issue: Why Cyberbullying Is Especially Dangerous

Cyberbullying is not just online teasing. It is repeated behavior intended to shame, humiliate, threaten, or emotionally harm someone.

It is complex, constantly evolving, and often difficult to regulate or define legally. In the United States and...