A Moscow paediatrician recommends parents keep screenshots of harmful messages and intervene early when children face ongoing online abuse, emphasising open communication and professional support.
Parents should keep screenshots of harmful messages if a child is being targeted repeatedly in a school chat, says paediatrician Yekaterina Morozova of the Meditsina healthcare group in Moscow. Morozova told Lenta.ru that threats, rumour-spreading, offensive photos and other sustained abuse should be treated seriously and that adults need to step in rather than leave children to handle it alone.
Signs can be subtle at first. According to Morozova, sudden changes in behaviour may be a warning that something is wrong, and parents should respond with a calm conversation rather than an interrogation. She warned that telling a child to “not pay attention” can make them feel even more isolated.
Health guidance from Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System and Northwestern Medicine broadly supports that approach. Their advice includes keeping communication open, documenting incidents, staying involved with the school and watching for signs of cyberbullying, which can now follow children well beyond the classroom. These organisations also recommend setting clear expectations for online behaviour and using school channels or other responsible adults to address persistent abuse.
Morozova also advised parents not to encourage retaliation, whether by answering abuse with aggression, forwarding hurtful messages or trying to get even. Instead, she said children should save evidence, block offenders and tell an adult straight away. If anxiety, sleeplessness, fear of school or symptoms of depression continue after the harassment, she said a child psychologist should be consulted.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
