Protect Your Kids From Online Ostracism

by Maureen Amberg

 

As if you didn't have enough to be concerned about, along comes Online Ostracism!  I actually believe that children who are subjected to the effects of "OO" tend to have lower levels of self-esteem .  By the way, ostracism means "purposefully ignoring others".

 

I have read previously about how cyberbullying influences children, but the studies had stopped short of looking at actual ostracism. The data used for the research was collected by analyzing players of online computer games, who are very likely to exhibit this kind of behavior often.

 

For the purpose of the investigation, the researchers looked at how adults, children and teens handled being ostracized.  The scientists wanted to catch a glimpse of how these feelings differ among age groups, and what consequences the behavior of others triggered in the test group.  The participants were all playing computer games at the time of the study. 

 

Online ostracism affects all age groups by threatening their basic needs for self-esteem, sense of belonging, sense of meaning and sense of control.  It also lowered their mood, showing that social exclusion online is very powerful.  The test group consisted of 41 children between eight and nine, 79 teens between the ages of 12 and 14, as well as 46 adults that were twenty years old.

 

Adults might be skilled at finding a relationship in which to be included after having been ostracized, but it could be a bigger challenge for children.  This suggests that parents and schools need to be vigilant in case children in their care are experiencing sustained ostracism.

 

Who knew? 

 

Maureen Amberg is an author, entrepreneur and children’s advocate for MEA Online Edge Inc., with emphasis on the self esteem and positive inner confidence of children; including teenagers.  Caring for Kids is my current life focus.  I strive to be kind, tranquil, serene, and compassionate.  Hopefully, this translates into peaceful, calm and helpful.