Cyberbullying is on the rise and experts determined who's partly to blame. "Negligent parenting" worsens bad online behavior among youngsters, especially in boys. Negligent parenting is also a rising pandemic among moms and dads who fail to teach their sons respect, good manners and right conduct.
Melbourne psychologist Dr. Andrew Fuller identified the main problem with negligent parenting. It rooted from parents who foster the stereotype that "boys will be boys," even as this behavior encourages degradation of women.
It also roots from parents' refusal to set boundaries for their sons because some dads would like to become their son's "best friend," according to fellow psychologist Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg. As a result, many young men today aren't being taught how women should be treated as per ABC Online.
Some parents do not understand the impact of cyberbullying as well. According to Carr-Gregg, it is either the parents are making excuses for their children or denying their kids have some accountability for the mischiefs they do online.
Instead, adults turn their focus on teaching daughters about their body image and self-awareness on the internet. As young women are bombarded with these issues, boys continue to get away with their silly but hurtful deeds.
Negligent, 'Lindsay Lohan' parenting to blame for boys' bad online behaviour, psychologists say https://t.co/trFfI0YI3i #parenting #children
— ABC News (@abcnews) April 7, 2017
These experts are pushing for cyber safety education to start among kids in primary school in Australia, or around 5-years-old, to curb cyberbullying. Currently, no policy or existing laws require schools to do this for youngsters.
Adults perceive there aren't too many young children using social media or the internet but this is a dangerous notion, given the state of things. Statistics show, 9 in 10 teenagers are smartphone owners, as per Roy Morgan Research. At least one in 10 5-year-old child has his or her first cellphone, thus digital socialization actually begins early.
Experts said if children are taught proper online behavior at age five in schools, even if they are not too active on social media just yet, the children still benefit. "It just means that you're much better informed and aware of what the risks are," Elly Robinson of the Australian Institute of Family Studies said.
Experts see education as a proactive way of addressing negligent parenting. After all, the school is considered a child's second home.
