Alex's Answer

Hello, welcome to Ask Alex.  

Thank you for your question.  

Bullying in all its forms including cyberbullying is not okay and we are sorry to hear that you may be experiencing that. There are certain actions that we can take if we think that we have received a negative comment on the internet such as blocking the person, and it is important that we don’t get involved by not replying, reacting, commenting, or sharing bullying posts. We can keep ourselves safe online by only allowing people that we know and trust to follow our social media accounts. You can change your privacy settings so that it’s only your family and friends that follow your account/s.  

Remember that it is not your fault, and you are not alone if you have experienced bullying. You might find the following articles on the Childline website helpful: https://www.childline.ie/what-does-cyberbullying-look-like/;  https://www.childline.ie/what-to-do-if-youre-being-cyberbullied/; https://www.childline.ie/why-do-some-people-bully-others-online/  

If this is something that you or someone you know is experiencing, it is important that you talk to a trusted adult such as a parent or teacher. They may be able to help you explore online safety options and support you in managing any emotions brought on by the bullying. 

You are welcome to talk to Childline by phone on 1800 66 66 66, by text to 50101, or through our web chat on www.childline.ie. Childline is here for you anytime and we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The services are free and confidential. We are non-judgemental, and we will not tell you want to do. We can help you explore what options may be available to you.  

Thank you for reaching out to us. We are here to listen, and we are here for you whenever you would like to chat. Please get in touch with us soon.  

Take Care,  

Alex.