We want you to be as informed as possible because an informed person is better able to protect themselves or seek protection.

Learning about social networking, sites and apps are especially important:

It will help to get familiar with Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. New app platforms become available all the time, being vigilant and keeping up to date with them, can just be helpful.

Clear guidelines

Talking regularly about social media and your child’s online profile and maybe having issues is particularly important. Let them know they can come to you for help if anything bothers, upset, inappropriate, or dangerous is happening to them… bottom line, you are there for them.

Build trust with your children.

Set time limits, explain your reasons for them, and discuss rules for online safety and Internet use. Ask your children to contribute to establishing the rules; then they will be more inclined to follow them.

Warn your children not to respond to any cyberbullying threats or comments online.

It is important too, do not delete any of the messages. Instead, print or screenshot out all the messages, including the email addresses or social media handles of the cyberbully. You will need the messages to verify and prove there is cyberbullying.

Most importantly try not to overreact by blaming your children.

If they are being bullied, be supportive and understanding. Find out how long the bullying has been going on and ensure that you will work together to find a solution. Let your children know they are not to blame for being bullied.

Do not underreact by telling your children to “shrug it off”.

The emotional pain of being bullied is very real and can have long-lasting effects. Don’t tease them about it or shrug it off by saying “kids will be kids” attitude. Remember this is the forming phase of your children’s lives.

Threaten to take away your children’s phone or computer

Will have an escalating effect. If they come to you with a problem. This only forces kids to be more secretive.

Talk to your school’s guidance counsellors

All staff can keep an eye out for bullying during the school day. At school, everyone can work together to create a climate where bullying is not acceptable.

If there are threats of physical violence or the bullying continues to escalate, get law enforcement involved.

Over the last few years, SAPS has prioritized school safety. This focus was re-emphasized in the 2016/17 SAPS Annual Report. In addition to the Safety in Education Partnership Protocol, SAPS and DBE have also developed a Schools-based Crime Prevention Programme.The Medium-Term Strategic Frameworks (2015-2019) of both Departments support the implementation of this Programme.