Empowering Parents: Enhancing Cyberbullying Awareness and Communication in Adolescent Primary Care

Abstract

Purpose: This DNP project aims to design, implement, and evaluate an educational intervention that enhances parental knowledge, communication strategies, and confidence in addressing cyberbullying among adolescents during well-child visits. Background: Cyberbullying is a prevalent issue affecting adolescent mental health, yet parents often lack adequate knowledge and skills to address it. This project addresses this gap through a targeted educational intervention in a primary care setting. Methods: A total of 10 parents of adolescents aged 10-18 participated in the educational session. Pre- and post-education surveys assessed changes in participants' knowledge, communication strategies, and confidence levels. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test. Results: The pre-and post-surveys indicated a marked improvement in parental knowledge about cyberbullying, with post-survey scores reaching 100% accuracy on knowledge-based questions. While familiarity, preparedness, and confidence levels remained stable, qualitative feedback showed that parents valued the session and intended to discuss cyberbullying with their children. Conclusions: The educational intervention improved parents' knowledge and confidence in addressing cyberbullying. The observed changes demonstrate meaningful, real-world improvements in parental preparedness and engagement. This project highlights the potential of integrating cyberbullying education into routine pediatric care as a practical strategy for enhancing parental involvement in managing adolescent online safety.