Supporting Your Child’s Wellbeing Online
The internet can play a positive role in many children’s lives when used in the right way. It helps them stay in touch with friends, learn new skills, enjoy hobbies and relax.
However, spending time online can also affect a child’s confidence, self-esteem and mental wellbeing.
By maintaining open conversations and showing an interest in your child’s online life, you can help them enjoy the benefits of technology while recognising when they may need support.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using technology. Like all forms of bullying, it is intentional, repeated and involves an imbalance of power. This means the person being bullied may feel unable to stop what is happening or defend themselves.
Cyberbullying is not the same as a one-off disagreement or falling out online, although these situations may still need support and should not be ignored.
Cyberbullying can happen through:
- social media
- messaging apps
- online games
- group chats
- emails
- live streaming platforms
- websites
Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying can happen at any time of day or night and can sometimes feel impossible for a child to escape.
What Might Cyberbullying Look Like?
Cyberbullying is usually a pattern of behaviour, rather than a single incident. It often involves one person or a group repeatedly targeting someone who finds it difficult to stop what is happening because of an imbalance of power.
Cyberbullying can include:
- repeatedly sending abusive or threatening messages
- repeatedly spreading rumours
- creating fake accounts to impersonate someone
- repeatedly sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission
- deliberately and repeatedly excluding someone from group chats or online activities
- encouraging others to join in with the bullying
- repeatedly making unkind or humiliating comments
- pretending to be someone else online to upset or embarrass them
Some children may not recognise that they are being bullied, particularly if the behaviour has gradually become accepted within a friendship group.
Even if a situation is not cyberbullying, a one-off incident that upsets, threatens or harms a child should still be taken seriously and discussed. Early support can often prevent situations from becoming more serious.
Signs Your Child May Need Support
Every child reacts differently, but you may notice changes such as:
- becoming withdrawn or unusually quiet
- appearing anxious after using their phone or computer
- avoiding school or social activities
- changes in mood or behaviour
- becoming secretive about their online activity
- difficulty sleeping
- losing interest in hobbies they usually enjoy
- spending significantly more or less time online than usual
These signs do not always mean cyberbullying is taking place, but they are worth exploring through calm conversation.
What Should I Do if My Child is Being Cyberbullied?
If your child tells you they are being bullied online:
- stay calm and listen carefully
- thank them for telling you
- reassure them that they have done the right thing
- avoid blaming them
- save screenshots or messages if it is safe to do so
- block and report the person where appropriate
- contact the school if the bullying involves other pupils or is affecting your child’s wellbeing
Children are much more likely to seek help if they know they will be listened to and supported.
Children may also witness cyberbullying without being directly involved. Encourage your child not to join in, share hurtful content or simply ignore it. Supporting the person being targeted and reporting concerns can make a significant difference.
Helping Your Child Build Positive Digital Wellbeing
Technology is an important part of modern life, but balance is important.
Encourage your child to:
- take regular breaks from screens
- spend time outdoors
- enjoy hobbies away from technology
- stay physically active
- spend time with family and friends
- get enough sleep
Digital wellbeing is about helping children enjoy technology without it taking over their lives.
Social Media and Self-Esteem
Many young people compare themselves to what they see online.
Remind your child that:
- people often only share the best parts of their lives
- many photos and videos are edited or filtered
- follower numbers and likes do not measure someone’s worth
- everyone has difficult days, even if they don’t share them online
Helping children understand this can reduce pressure to compare themselves with others.
Healthy Screen Time
There is no single amount of screen time that is right for every child.
Instead of focusing only on the number of hours, consider:
- Is my child sleeping well?
- Are they attending school regularly?
- Are they spending time with family and friends?
- Are they physically active?
- Are they enjoying interests away from screens?
If technology is not affecting these areas, it is more likely that your child has a healthy balance.
Encourage Open Conversations
Regular conversations are one of the best ways to support your child’s wellbeing.
These conversations help children understand that they can come to you whenever they need support.
Remember
Children are far more likely to ask for help if they know they will not be blamed.
By listening, staying calm and working together, you can help your child develop healthy online habits and build the confidence to deal with challenges they may face online.
Useful external links
NSPCC – Online Safety
Advice on cyberbullying, social media, gaming and supporting children online.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Childnet – Parents and Carers
Guidance on cyberbullying, respectful behaviour online and supporting children.
https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/parents-and-carers/
YoungMinds – Parents
Advice for parents concerned about their child’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
NHS Every Mind Matters
Support for improving wellbeing, sleep and managing stress.
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
Report Harmful Content
Support with reporting cyberbullying, impersonation, harassment and harmful online content if platforms fail to remove it.