What is Katie Price’s Online Bullying Petition & why she’s campaigning after what happened to Harvey.

I’m discussing cyber bullying on BBC Radio WM today as Katie Price has launched a Petition to prosecute trolls after a vile troll pretended to ‘have sex’ with her disabled son Harvey.

The 38-year-old model and Loose Women star also re-posted several offensive pictures and tweets on Tuesday to name and shame trolls who have attacked the 14-year-old via social media.

Harvey suffers from severe autism, septo-optic dysplasia and Prader-Willi syndrome, which makes sufferers always feel hungry.

There are many ways to deal with cyber bullying but one very simple tip I recommend is to simply unplug from social media for a little while to take a step back as it will allow you, and your children,  to reassess, regroup, recover and re think your social media use and strategies.

Click here for the NSPCC Guide.

Here are some thoughts…..

Having trusted people you can turn to for encouragement and support will boost your child’s  resilience when being cyberbullied. Encourage them to reach out & connect with family and real friends or explore ways of making new friends. There are plenty of people who will love and appreciate your child for who you are.

• Unplug from technology. ‘Talk & Teach’  taking a break from their computer, tablet, iPod, video games, and cell phone which will  open up new opportunities for  them to meet new people.
• Find others who share their same values and interests. Your children may be able to make friends at a sports club, dance club, karate club or a youth group. Encourage them to learn a new sport, join a team, or take up a new hobby such as chess, art, music or dance.
• Share their feelings about bullying. ‘Talk & Teach’ your child that they can talk  to you, a school counsellor,a  teacher, friend or trusted family member. Helping them to express what they’re going through can make a huge difference to the way they feel, even if it doesn’t change the situation.
• Don’t escalate the problem by dramatising it. Don’t water a weed, feed their confidence in real ways and build their inner resilience and self esteem & help them blossom and bloom instead.
• Exercise is a great way to help kids feel good about themselves, as well as reducing stress. Let them punch a pillow to let out their nager and frustration or take a kick boxing class to work off  their anger.

Make online abuse a specific criminal offence and create a register of offenders

Sign the petition here -> https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/190627