Students are now back at school and a mobile phone can be a great safety tool for students, and anyone in the community. 

Unfortunately some young people use mobile phones to bully others.

Some examples of bullying with mobile phones includes sending harassing, threatening or unwanted messages, pictures and phone calls. Sometimes bullies also steal phones.

Bullying is not acceptable, whether it is in the schoolyard or via a mobile device or online. It is not harmless.

As a parent, if you discover your child is being bullied, stay calm (we know it’s easier said than done) and deal with it rationally.

Here are some tips in preventing and dealing with it:

Talk to your child about bullying and be supportive. 

Being a target of bullying is not their fault and reassure them you want to help. This can be done as both a prevention strategy and in response to an incident.

Develop some strategies to deal with bullies. For example, avoid being alone near bullies; protect your phone number and social media profiles. 

On social media profiles, regularly check your security and privacy settings are at their highest. 

Do not give out personal information.

Don’t reply or respond to bullies. 

Responding gives them the ‘kick’ they are after.

Keep the message on your phone. 

It could be good evidence for your teacher, parents or even police if a criminal act has been committed.

Talk to your students teacher at their school if you discover that your child is being bullied. Make sure they are aware of the issue. 

The school may have rules covering the bullying.

Turn your phone off sometimes. It can give you a break.

Talk to your mobile phone company. 

They may be able to block certain numbers from contacting the phone. 

Depending on your phone, you may be able to block numbers yourself.