How Do You Stop Being Bullied Online?

How Do You Stop Being Bullied Online?

Cyber bullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Online threats, nasty texts, and mean tweets, posts, or messages all count. Posting any information designed to hurt or embarrass someone else is classed as bullying.

Victims of cyber bullying are negatively affected with lowered self-esteem and frequent feelings of sadness, anger, fear and isolation. Cyber bullying happens via text messages, chat rooms, commenting on profiles or blogs and emails.

You may or may not even know the cyber bully. They are just people that want to inflict emotional pain or embarrass others. Cyber bullies do not see the results their bullying has on their victims or how damaging their words can be.

There are two main types of people that cyber bully:
Popular teens who bully because
They see it as a way to stay in the cool group
Embarrassing or hurting others makes them feel powerful.

Teens who are less popular at school may bully because:
It helps them cope with their own low self-esteem.
They think it will help them fit in with their peers.

How do you stop being bullied online?

Don't respond to a bully online. If someone bullies you, remember that your reaction is usually exactly what the bully wants. They want to hurt or embarrass you. It gives him or her power over you. Who wants to empower a bully?

Don't give them attention. Getting back at the bully turns you into one and reinforces the bully's behaviour. Help avoid a whole cycle of aggression and don't sink to their low level. Don't give them attention for being ugly.

Save the evidence. The only good news about digital bullying is that the harassing messages can usually be captured, saved, and shown to someone who can help. You need to do this even if it's minor stuff, in case things escalate. Do not only print the mean messages, print the conversation to show someone the proof of how the discussion turned into a bullying fest.

Talk to a trusted adult. You deserve support when cyber bullying occurs. Tell a parent or school teacher what is happening and do not leave it until it has escalated. Sound the alarm bells as soon as it starts happening.

Block the bully. If the harassment's coming in the form of instant messages, texts, or profile comments, set up privacy tools to block the person. If it's in chat, leave the 'room."

Don't trash talk. Even if you don't like someone, it's a good idea to be decent. Gossiping about and trash talking others increases your risk of being bullied. Treat people the way you want to be treated.

Don't be a bully. How would you feel if someone harassed you? Being a bully is unacceptable and doing it online is a cowardly act that can be traced back to you and reported to the police.

Don't' be ashamed. If you have followed all my steps and handled a bully correctly, you have nothing to be ashamed of as you have done nothing wrong. Hold your head high and don't let anyone attack your self-esteem.

Be a friend, not a bystander. Watching or forwarding mean messages empowers bullies and hurts victims even more. It's time to let bullies know their behaviour is cruel abuse of fellow human beings.

- Marina Passalaris


Marina Passalaris is the founder and director of Beautiful Minds Australia, a school dedicated to educating girls about self-esteem, etiquette and life skills to help them become confident and dynamic individuals. She is also the author of the new book, Beautiful Minds, available from www.beautifulminds.com.au
For more information on Beautiful Minds and Marina Passalaris see: www.girl.com.au/beautiful-mind