Are you worried about what your children are doing online or how to handle it if your child is the one causing harm?

In this episode of Everything Counts, host Motheo Khoaripe sits down once again with Emma Sadleir Berkovitz, founder of the Digital Law Company and Africa’s leading expert on social media law and digital risk. Together, they tackle one of the most difficult topics in parenting today: what to do when your child becomes a cyberbully and how to guide them towards responsible, empathetic online behaviour.

From the legal consequences of cyberbullying to the real-world impact of digital actions, this episode explores the cyberspace fallacy and the lasting effects of online harm. You’ll learn how peer-to-peer digital abuse manifests, the dangers of oversharing online and how online anonymity fuels online cruelty, all while discovering tools to help your children develop resilience, empathy and accountability.

Emma also shares insights on digital literacy, the growing movement for a ‘smartphone-free childhood’ and practical strategies for parents to keep children safe online.

If you’re a parent, teacher or caregiver navigating the challenges of raising kids in a connected world, this episode is your roadmap to understanding, prevention and empowerment.

Stay informed, stay intentional and help your children build a healthier relationship with technology, one click at a time.

00:00 Introduction

01:00 How to parent a child that is a cyberbully

02:50 Legal consequences of cyberbullying

04:50 The cyberspace fallacy

07:00 How prevalent is peer-to-peer harm?

11:00 The digital world as an extension of the real world

14:00 The dangers of oversharing online

17:00 Empowering kids with social scripts

17:50 Online anonymity makes cyberbullying worse

19:10 Increase in mental health issues for children

21:00 Smartphone Free Childhood

22:30 Digital literacy starts at a young age

24:30 Parents need to educate children on their online responsibilities

26:30 Tips for parents to keep children safe online

30:00 Conclusion Investec Focus Radio SA