In this day and age, cyberbullying is a huge problem.
The practice involves sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone else.
It’s a key concept in the hit Netflix series Adolescence, which followed the story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a female peer.
A recent report warned it is now a ‘dominant form of peer violence’ among young people, and it can leave deep, emotional scars.
But how can parents find out if their child is the victim of cyberbullying?
With teenagers more protective than ever over their digital lives, stepping in without overstepping can feel impossible.
But according to education and child behaviour expert David Smith, there’s a subtle way parents can keep an eye out.
And it doesn’t involve invading your child’s privacy by scrolling through their private chats.
Cyberbullying plays a central role in Netflix’s thrilling drama Adolescence, in which a 13-year-old boy is accused of murdering a female peer after being subjected to cyberbullying
Mr Smith, CEO of Silicon Valley High School – an online institution offering AI-supported learning – is urging parents to pay attention to one overlooked feature: their child’s keyboard suggestions.
By checking the predictive text suggestions or keyboard history on a child’s device, parents can get a glimpse into the tone of their recent conversations – without needing to open any messages.
It’s a surprisingly telling indicator, and one that doesn’t require technical skills or snooping.
Most smartphones and tablets now come with predictive text and autocorrect tools that are powered by the words we use most.
Over time, your keyboard ‘learns’ your common phrases and suggests them automatically as you type.
If a child frequently types or responds to emotionally loaded messages, those words, whether kind or cruel, can start to show up in their autocomplete.
Mr Smith advises parents to – when in possession of their child’s phone – see what predictive text comes up when they start to type.
For example, it could be cause for concern if the predictive word ‘sorry’ appears when the letter ‘s’ is typed, or if the word ‘loser’ appears in the predictive text panel when the letter ‘l’ is typed.
Data from the Cyberbullying Research Centre reveals that about 30 per cent of teens have experienced cyberbullying in their lifetime, with 13 per cent saying it occurred in just the last 30 days (stock image)
‘Parents aren’t always sure how to start a conversation about online safety without seeming intrusive,’ Mr Smith said.
‘This technique allows them to passively observe emotional trends without reading private messages. It offers a way to notice red flags early without crossing personal boundaries.’
This kind of subtle check-in can be especially useful during adolescence, when children are less likely to disclose upsetting experiences like cyberbullying.
A few keywords that might indicate repeated exposure to hurtful or distressing online interactions include ‘loser’, ‘hate you’, ‘stop’, ‘go away’. ‘sorry’ or ‘leave me alone’.
While no single word is proof of bullying, recurring patterns can justify a gentle conversation, Mr Smith said.
He said there are three ways parents can open up a dialogue without putting their child on the defensive.
This includes leading with curiosity, not accusation – for example asking: ‘Hey, I noticed a few words popping up in your predictive text – are you doing okay?’
He also suggests asking open-ended questions such as ‘Has anything online been bothering you lately’ and to reassure children that they won’t be in trouble for being honest.
While no single word is proof of bullying, recurring patterns can justify parents initiating a gentle conversation, Mr Smith said (stock image)
This interactive reveals a list of words, hashtags and acronyms regularly used by teenagers that should raise alarm bells.
From kidney beans to love hearts, innocuous symbols are revealed to hide a surprising code that most adults would never be able to spot.
The list, released by Nottinghamshire Police, is divided into three categories – warning flags, terms to keep an eye on, and fun.
You can scroll through the full list or search for individual terms.
Data from the Cyberbullying Research Centre reveals that about 30 per cent of teens have experienced cyberbullying in their lifetime, with 13 per cent saying it occurred in just the last 30 days.
Perhaps more alarmingly, around 15 per cent admit they’ve bullied someone else online.
‘Small digital habits can open big conversations,’ Mr Smith said.
‘Something as simple as checking your child’s keyboard suggestions might feel trivial, but it can reveal patterns that are worth paying attention to.
‘It’s a way to quietly support your child’s wellbeing, especially if they’re not ready to open up yet.
‘The earlier we spot signs of emotional stress or bullying, the easier it is to intervene before harm is done.
‘What matters most is that your child knows you’re there – not to judge, but to listen. Creating that space for dialogue, even with small steps like this, can make a huge difference.’
