Ken MCGregor: To stop the cyberbullying scourge we must first address our own failings

STRONG moves to ban phones in schools and make cyberbullying a criminal offence are long overdue, writes Ken McGregor

STRONG moves to ban phones in schools and make cyberbullying a criminal offence are long overdue.

It is a sad indictment that it took the death of loved Territory teen Amy “Dolly” Everett to see such strong rhetoric, and that is all it is at the moment, just words from governments and other groups.

The biggest fears parents hold for their kids traditionally involve drug and alcohol abuse and, as they get a bit older, their behaviour, and that of their friends, when they get behind the wheel.

These are still legitimate concerns and keep many loving mums and dads awake at night.

But when you look statistically at what is more likely to destroy our children’s lives, it’s by far the negative affects of social media.

Rates of depression, anxiety, and, tragically, suicide soar above those of drug use or those injured or killed behind the wheel.

Like drug use, these also have deep effects on our children’s wellbeing, career choices, and happiness in life.

Depressed kids with low self esteem face a mountainous climb to positively push themselves into rewarding jobs and achieve their full potential and happiness in life.

As a parent myself, I see my three-year-old daughter offline from all the negativity she is likely to face in her coming years.

She is a happy, confident being. I fear her eventual and inevitable introduction to Twitter, Facebook and the myriad of other platforms will soon change that.

While our governments talk about phone bans and criminal legislation, the stark reality is the only people that can make the world safer for our kids is us.

A brief search of Twitter or Facebook instantaneously reveals a series of disparaging, personal posts by users on politicians, sportsmen, and just as concerningly, other Twitter users who dare to voice an opinion.

These are personal tweets against people they have never met, nor do they have any clue about their mental state or give consideration to the fact they have made a public statement about someone who has a family, including children, who will read this about someone they love.

A simple search of some of the poster’s profiles shows many mums and dads with young vulnerable kids themselves.

Some even post positive quotes on their sites about initiatives such as R U OK?, the Ice Bucket Challenge or, ironically, cyberbullying.

The hypocrisy is overwhelming.

Young cyberbullies are just following the example set by many older social media users.

How can we expect our children to listen to our mounting pleas against cyberbullying when we launch such diatribes on the same platforms?

The only answer to the cyberbullying scourge attacking our children is to reform ourselves and set the example of what social media should look like.

Think before you post.

Assume every post you do is being read by the person you are talking about; better yet assume they are there in front of you.

Don't post something you would not say directly to their face.

When we bring humanity to social media, we bring across generosity and empathy to our kids.

And that is the only thing that will protect the next generation from being mentally destroyed by online behaviours.

• Ken McGregor is the editor of the Sunday Territorian