Parents key allies in the fight against child cyberbullying

29.09.23

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - One in three children are affected by cyberbullying, a scourge that negatively affects their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, their health, their education, and that threatens their future or even their lives. It is in this context that a Panel brought together different stakeholders to discuss possible actions. In our intervention, we stressed the need for parental involvement in the fight against this growing phenomena, in particular for prevention.

The following is the full text of our Statement. 

Make Mothers Matter welcomes this timely discussion on cyberbullying against children.

We would like to stress the need to involve parents in the fight against Cyberbullying.

As children’s primary educators and caregivers, parents – in particular mothers – are best placed to detect early warning signs, like an unwillingness to talk, or behavioural disorders such as loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, headaches, etc.

Parents will also be at the forefront in dealing with cyberbullying should it occur.

But most importantly, parents are the best allies when it comes to prevention, provided that they are themselves aware of the risks, and able to take appropriate measures together with their children.

We are therefore calling on Member States:

  1. To recognize parents as key stakeholders in the prevention and fight against cyberbullying
  2. To educate parents together with children on what cyberbullying is, its dangers and its symptoms, and
  3. To equip parents with the knowledge and tools for the prevention and protection of their children, and for dealing with cyberbullying when it happens

More generally, it is time that parents are considered as key stakeholders in the realisation of child rights, and that they are educated, informed and supported as such, instead of being ignored.

MMM Statement for download

The statement was delivered during the Panel discussion on cyberbullying against children, which took place on 27 September 2023 during the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council.

 

Most read articles

Mothers, unpaid care work and global crises – connecting the dots

02.07.24

UN New York / HLPF - Register now to join us online at this year’s High Level Political Forum side-event.

Lire plus

Widowed mothers: MMM calls for addressing the distinct challenges they face

20.06.24

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - MMM was invited to contribute to a side-event organised by Widows Rights International to discuss the unique challenges faced by widows who are mothers,

Lire plus

Time Poverty and the Motherhood Penalty
Unveiling Economic and Social Injustices

09.07.24

Mothers play an essential role in families by ensuring their loved ones are nourished, educated, and healthy, but their unpaid care work often leads to economic and social injustices, known

Lire plus
See all the articlesof the category

Latest News from MMM and its Network

Milestones for Mothers: First Oral Statement and Landmark UN Recognition at CSW69

17.04.25

UN New York – At this year's 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), two significant moments highlighted our ongoing fight for mothers' rights. We emphasised how mothers continue to fac

Read more

“Equality in name means nothing without equality in reality”
MEPS Maria Walsh and Eleonora Meleti

07.04.25

With the new Road Map for Gender Equality, the EU acknowledges that gender equality remains a challenge across member states, with women still earning 12.7% less than men and facing greater employment gaps, par

Read more

Ensuring Work-Life Balance: The EU’s Commitment to Supporting Parents, notably mothers, and Gender Equality

19.03.25

At the latest EPSCO Council (Employment, Social Policy, Health, and Consumer Affairs), the Council of the European Union adopted groundbreaking Conclusions aimed at addressing work-life balance and promoting ge

Read more

Championing Mothers’ Rights at the UN Human Rights Council

18.03.25

UN Geneva - The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC58) provided a crucial platform for advocacy, engagement, and collaboration on pressing human rights issues. MMM representatives made significant

Read more

Breaking the Cycle: Gender Equality as a Path to Better Mental Health

18.03.25

The Council of the European Union has taken a decisive step in recognising the vital connection between gender equality and mental health.

Read more