Mr Zahn, what is  zischtig.ch and what does the association do?

Children and young adults must learn how to navigate digital and social media channels and forms of communication. As with anything, part of the learning process means making mistakes. But this can quickly lead to consequences in today’s world. One click is sometimes all it takes. Our employees use a combination of exercises and discussions to help them make fewer errors and minimise the fallout from possible mistakes. We also make use of chat features, social media, gaming and streaming to address these issues. We advise school classes, parents and professionals.

What types of cyber bullying do you commonly address?

Cyber bullying involves a “stronger” person or a group persistently harassing a “weaker” person, such as by excluding them from chat groups and, frequently, spreading lies about them. It sometimes takes the form of image manipulation and, in rarer instances, creating fake profiles. Sadly, we see many forms of targeted abuse in chats: hateful remarks, serious bullying, pranks and practical jokes that are no longer amusing. Sending inappropriate content to others is also a form of targeted abuse.

How has cyber bullying developed over the past few years? 

Children are starting to use smartphones and tablets at an increasingly early age. The greatest change lies in the fact that the culprits and the victims are becoming younger and younger. We have also noticed that cyber bullying is almost always an extension of offline bullying. While cyber bullying used to take place primarily on social media channels, it now tends to occur on WhatsApp.

Who tends to be a victim? Is there a pattern, so to speak?

The most important thing to understand is that anyone can be the victim of cyber bullying. Parents should always assume their child could be either the victim or the culprit. There is no “typical” victim. At most, we could say that children who have a strong emotional response to certain situations can be easier to provoke.

How can parents say that their child may be a victim of cyber bullying? Are there any warning signs?

When speaking to families affected by cyber bullying, we often hear that children try to hide it from their parents. Bullying is frequently accompanied by feelings of shame and anxiety. As a result, parents should look for very subtle signs: fewer social engagements, reduced appetite, increased sensitivity, occasional aggressiveness or introverted behaviour. Important: If a parent wishes to speak to their child, they need to do so with a great deal of respect and calm.

What tips can you give parents to help protect their children from cyber bullying?

Sadly, this is often beyond the parents’ reach, which is why preventing bullying and cyber bullying is a general issue. This means committing to social values and putting them into practice, such as taking a stand when somebody behaves in the wrong way or defending someone affected by abuse. Children see this and take it on board.

The most important thing is to encourage children to seek help and confide in someone. It can be counterproductive if the child is afraid their parent will simply take their phone or tablet away from them if they say they are involved in cyber bullying in some way (whether as a victim or culprit).

What can people do if it happens despite these measures?

Cyber bullying is extremely stressful for children and parents alike. It is essential to seek help. If a school has a social worker or teacher liaison on site, they should go to this person together to discuss the situation and possible options. This professional is bound by confidentiality and can respond to the situation in different ways.

If these options are not available, it is worth considering whether to approach the police. Protect yourself against cyber bullying.