Family dinners may help kids cope with cyberbullying

FACE-TO-FACE TIME IS KEY: Spending more time communicating with their parents, such as during regular family dinners, may help protect kids from the harmful consequences of cyberbullying, a new study suggests.

NEW YORK: Like victims of face-to-face bullying, kids who experience Internet bullying are vulnerable to mental health and substance use problems — but spending more time communicating with their parents may help protect them from these harmful consequences, a new study suggests. 

For example, the researchers found, regular family dinners seemed to help kids cope with online bullying. But they say talk time with parents in cars or other settings can also help protect against the effects of cyberbullying.