Tips for positive coexistence and against cyberbullying.

Fostering Digital Empathy (The Person Behind the Screen)

Positive online coexistence is built on the same pillar as physical coexistence: empathy.

However, the "online disinhibition effect" (distance, anonymity) makes it easier to forget that on the other side of the screen there is a real person with feelings.

The first task for families is to actively encourage "digital empathy". This is achieved through conversation and reflection.

Everyday examples (a hurtful comment in a video, a mocking meme) should be used to ask the child: "How do you think the person receiving this feels?", "Would you like it if they did it to you?", "What do you gain by hurting someone else?".

The "grandmother rule" or the "face-to-face rule" should be insisted upon: do not write anything on the Internet that you would not dare to say in person, out loud, in front of your family.

Promote "Cyber-valentía" (The Role of the Advocate).

Positive coexistence is not just the absence of aggression, but the presence of active advocacy.

Cyberbullying thrives on the silence of the majority (the passive observers).

Minors must be educated to move from being bystanders (spectators) to being upstanders (defenders or "cyber-bullies").

Being an upstander does not imply confronting the bully publicly (which can be dangerous).

It involves not participating (not sharing, not "liking" the offensive content), reporting the content to the platform, supporting the victim privately ("I'm with you," "That's a lie he told you") and, most importantly, informing a trusted adult.

The stigma of "snitch" should be changed to the value of "protector" or "helper".

Dialogue as a Detection Tool

The best tool against cyberbullying is prevention, and the best prevention is early detection.

This is only possible if there is a fluid and non-judgmental communication channel in the family.

Parents should take an interest in their children's digital life, not from police control, but from genuine curiosity. "What do you play?", "What's the latest viral challenge?", "Which influencer do you like?".

If the minor shares a concern ("So-and-so said something ugly in the group"), the adult's reaction is key.

If you react with panic or punishment ("Get out of that group right now!"), the child will not tell again.

The reaction should be one of listening, va