Combating Cyberbullying: A Call to Action for Parents and Schools

Cyberbullying is a global crisis impacting children at an alarming rate. Recent statistics show that over 60% of children experience online harassment from their peers, a phenomenon that leaves them vulnerable to anxiety, isolation, and profound emotional distress. Compounding this issue, studies indicate a direct link between cyberbullying and depression. Children struggling with depression face a twelvefold increase in the risk of suicide—an outcome that tragically remains all too common across the globe.

For most children aged 10–14, the school environment is central to their social and emotional development. Within its classrooms and corridors, they forge friendships, navigate peer relationships, and learn about respect and responsibility. While educators and administrators are entrusted with educating students and maintaining a safe school environment, the increasing overlap between in-person interactions and digital engagements presents a formidable challenge.

Children often experience cyberbullying during school hours, or in connection with classmates who share the same educational and social circles. However, teachers and school counselors can only intervene if they are informed. Unfortunately, privacy concerns frequently lead parents to hesitate before sharing sensitive details of their children’s digital communications. As a result, school staff members—who genuinely wish to help—are often left out of the loop until a serious incident has already taken place.

The hesitancy to share stems from multiple factors: fear of privacy breaches, concern about stigma, or simply not knowing whether the bullying has crossed a threshold that warrants formal intervention. Whatever the reason, the outcome remains the same: without timely awareness, educators cannot step in to protect vulnerable children and help address the problem at its roots.

Social media platforms, messaging apps, and online forums have become key social arenas for children. These digital spaces present them with incredible opportunities—sharing ideas, communicating with friends, and exploring creative outlets—yet they also harbor significant risks. Cyberbullies exploit the relative anonymity of the online world to launch attacks through harmful messages, rumors, or exclusionary tactics.

In many cases, these online incidents can spiral into face-to-face confrontations. However, the bullying often persists in digital form for weeks or even months before manifesting in the real world. This delayed and largely hidden nature of cyberbullying places children at grave risk of prolonged psychological harm. Meanwhile, parents and educators, unaware of the trauma unfolding behind phone and computer screens, remain on the sidelines—unable to intervene.

Cyberbullying often leaves children feeling powerless and isolated. The emotional damage may include:

• Low self-esteem: Constant negative messaging can erode a child’s self-worth.
• Anxiety: Fear of reopening social media or reading another hurtful comment can make everyday life stressful.
• Depression: Persistent hostility from peers can trigger mood disorders or exacerbate existing mental health challenges.
• Academic struggles: Children who are anxious or depressed often find it difficult to focus in class or complete assignments.

In severe cases, cyberbullying can escalate to physical self-harm, harming others, or even suicidal thoughts. These stark realities underscore why immediate, proactive measures are urgently needed.

Despite these daunting challenges, there is hope. Research from schools and parents reveals that when even two or three families in a class adopt a child protection or monitoring service, the number of bullying incidents across the entire class can decrease dramatically.

Why does this work?

1. Early Detection: Parents who are alerted to concerning messages, photos, or chat exchanges can intervene immediately.
2. Proactive Communication: With early awareness, parents are more likely to reach out to other parents or notify school staff for support.
3. Preventive Measures: By addressing minor issues before they escalate, children understand that adults are present and vigilant, reducing the likelihood of repeated bullying.

This approach fosters a community-centered environment where both schools and families are actively engaged in identifying and addressing problems at their inception rather than responding after serious damage has been done.

At PureSight, we are developing next-generation child protection services designed to empower both parents and educational professionals. Our goal is to:

• Enhance Awareness: Provide timely alerts for parents so they can recognize and address potential bullying incidents.
• Facilitate Collaboration: Offer communication pathways and resources for teachers, counselors, and administrators to coordinate with parents.
• Promote Education: Equip families and school staff with guidelines, best practices, and training to navigate the digital realm responsibly.

By using real-time analytics, advanced monitoring tools, and proactive reporting, we enable stakeholders to tackle incidents of cyberbullying before they escalate.

Ultimately, curbing cyberbullying depends on creating a culture in which parents, children, and school staff regularly engage in open dialogues about online interactions. Schools can adopt curricula on digital citizenship, encouraging students to reflect on the implications of their online behavior and to seek help if they witness or experience bullying. Parents can reinforce these lessons at home by discussing respectful online communication, setting healthy boundaries around device usage, and staying attuned to signs of distress.

Professional and community organizations, including after-school clubs, youth groups, and even local governments, can supplement these efforts by providing workshops, support groups, and campaigns to raise awareness of cyberbullying’s impact.

Combatting cyberbullying is a shared responsibility that requires unified efforts from parents, educators, and service providers. By acting swiftly, consistently, and collaboratively, we can protect our children from online harassment and build a more empathetic, inclusive environment—both online and in person.

Let us join forces to ensure that children can safely explore digital spaces, develop meaningful connections, and nurture positive self-esteem. By investing in awareness, intervention tools, and open dialogue, we can create a future where every child feels protected and empowered to thrive.

Royi Cohen
CEO, PureSight