Cyberbullying occurs in many different ways. It can occur anywhere, at the home, office, school, or library, via smartphones, emails, texts, or social media, and anybody can be subjected to cyberbullying, regardless of age, profession, gender, or race. Studies have shown that almost 17% of young people experience cyberbullying before they reach 25. Many celebrities also experience cyberbullying. The effects of bullying or cyberbullying can be devastating, leaving you feeling insulted, angry, depressed, or even suicidal.
What is cyberbullying and how to deal with it?
Cyberbullying is the use of online technologies such as the internet, email, cellphone or social media with the purpose of harassing, insulting, or threatening somebody. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying does not require face-to-face contact and can happen anonymously.
It is a very important thing to know how to deal with cyberbullying. Here are some ways to deal with it if you are being targeted:
1. Do not respond
Do not retaliate by doing or saying the same thing. Saying something bad or posting some insult in anger may make matters worse.
2. Take a screenshot
It is helpful to take a screenshot of anything that you think could be cyberbullying. Keep a record of it on your computer.
3. Block and report
Since most online platforms have this option, it is best if you can block and report the issue to the administrators of the platform.
4. Assess the seriousness
You need to assess how serious the matter is. If it is just someone calling names, it is advisable to just report and block that user.
5. Don’t keep it to yourself
It helps a lot in these situations to talk to someone senior or authority about the problem. Confiding about it will take a huge burden off your shoulders, and help come up with a solution.
6. Keep privacy settings
It is highly recommended to keep your social media privacy settings high and not to connect with anybody who you don’t know personally. You wouldn’t talk to strangers on the street, so why do it online?
7. Try mediation
This may sound a bit scary, but may probably turn out the most effective and permanent solution to the problem. A teacher or an adult can serve as a mediator between you and the person who is bullying you online if that person is known to you.
These are some ways to deal with cyberbullying. Parents of cyberbullies are also responsible to deal with their children who may have a behavioral problem that should be resolved before it gets out of hand.
