Child safety experts warn of cyberbullying and online abuse risks

Experts and judicial authorities are warning about the increasing risks children and adolescents face from cyberbullying and physical or sexual abuse. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can occur 24 hours a day, following victims into their homes through mobile phones, social media, and video games, often leading to constant states of alert, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Key warning signs include sudden changes in digital behavior, such as becoming nervous when receiving notifications or hiding screens. Emotional and academic indicators include social isolation, irritability, sudden drops in school performance, and a fear of being alone. Physical signs of abuse may include unexplained injuries, frequent headaches or stomachaches, and regressive behaviors like bedwetting.

Authorities also highlight the danger of online grooming, where predators use social networks and online games to gain a minor's trust to solicit intimate images for extortion or exploitation. Experts emphasize that parents and educators must maintain vigilant, empathetic observation of digital activities to provide early intervention and protection.