Summary
Cyber bullying is every bit as serious and can be every bit as harmful as ‘real life’ bullying, because online is real life too! This article will help you know what to do if you are being cyberbullied.
What is cyber-bullying?
Cyber-bullying happens when a person uses technology to hurt, threaten, tease, control or make fun of another person.
Cyber-bullying can happen by text, email, social media chat, gaming website chat, or in any other way that uses technology. It can involve posting hurtful comments or embarrassing pictures or videos of someone, or spreading rumours or lies about a person online.
It is a very public form of bullying, meaning that lots of people can see it very quickly. Depending on the method used, the content can be difficult to erase. Cyber-bullying can have a very negative impact on some people.
For this and other reasons, it is important to think carefully about who you want to ‘add as a friend’ or ‘follow’ on social media or talk to using any other kind of technology.
What you can do if you’re being bullied online
- Don’t get involved.
- Don’t reply to any bullying messages, or react to, comment on, or share bullying posts.
- Keep screenshots of any of the bullying posts or messages. Try to take note of the date and time of the message also.
- Block the person who is bullying you, or contact your mobile phone provider if you are being bullied by text / phone. If someone is contacting you through your mobile phone number or email address, you could consider getting a new one.
- Tell an adult you trust about what is happening.
- Set your privacy settings so that only people you know and trust see your posts or comment on them.
- Report any of the bullying comments or posts to the social network or gaming website. A trusted adult might be able to help you with this.
Remember
- It’s not your fault. No one ever deserves to be bullied
- No one has the right to bully another person
- You’re not alone
- Ask for help – it is available
- This won’t last forever – even very difficult experiences come to an end
Key takeaways
- Cyber bullying can be very public and therefore have a real negative impact
- Always think carefully about who you want to ‘add as a friend’ or ‘follow’ on social media or talk to using any other kind of technology.
- It’s never your fault if you are targeted by bullies.
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