- Column 1: Facts about Cyberbullying
- Column 2: Types of Cyberbullying (e.g. online harassment, online rumors, impersonation, etc.)
- Column 3: Consequences of Cyberbullying (e.g. emotional distress, decreased self-esteem, social isolation, etc.)
- Column 4: How to prevent Cyberbullying (e.g. promote positive online behavior, educate about privacy settings, etc.)
1.Research
- Column 1: What is Cyberbullying?
- Column 2: Examples of Cyberbullying
- Column 3: What to do if you encounter cyberbullying?
- Column 4: Tips for Parents
24 answers
haha very funny bot i want answers not that
Apologies for the misunderstanding. Here is a revised response:
- Column 1: Definition of Cyberbullying - Cyberbullying refers to the act of using technology, such as the internet or social media, to repeatedly and intentionally harass, intimidate, or harm someone.
- Column 2: Examples of Cyberbullying - Sending threatening messages, spreading rumors online, sharing private or embarrassing information without consent, creating fake profiles to mock or humiliate someone, etc.
- Column 3: Steps to take if you encounter cyberbullying - Save evidence of the bullying, block or ignore the cyberbully, report the incident to the relevant platform or website, talk to a trusted adult or friend about the situation, and seek support if needed.
- Column 4: Tips for Parents - Maintain open communication with your child, educate them about online safety and responsible internet use, monitor their online activity, encourage them to report cyberbullying incidents, and provide emotional support if they experience cyberbullying.
- Column 1: Definition of Cyberbullying - Cyberbullying refers to the act of using technology, such as the internet or social media, to repeatedly and intentionally harass, intimidate, or harm someone.
- Column 2: Examples of Cyberbullying - Sending threatening messages, spreading rumors online, sharing private or embarrassing information without consent, creating fake profiles to mock or humiliate someone, etc.
- Column 3: Steps to take if you encounter cyberbullying - Save evidence of the bullying, block or ignore the cyberbully, report the incident to the relevant platform or website, talk to a trusted adult or friend about the situation, and seek support if needed.
- Column 4: Tips for Parents - Maintain open communication with your child, educate them about online safety and responsible internet use, monitor their online activity, encourage them to report cyberbullying incidents, and provide emotional support if they experience cyberbullying.
ok getting better but i want more info
Certainly! Here's more information for each column:
Column 1: Facts about Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying can occur through various digital platforms such as social media, emails, text messages, online gaming, and chat rooms.
- It can happen to people of all ages, but it is more common among teenagers and young adults.
- The anonymity provided by the internet can give bullies a sense of power and enable them to target victims without facing immediate consequences.
- Cyberbullying can have serious and long-lasting effects on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Column 2: Types of Cyberbullying
- Online harassment: Sending threatening or abusive messages, comments, or emails.
- Online rumors: Spreading false and damaging information about someone with the intention of harming their reputation.
- Impersonation: Creating fake profiles or accounts to deceive and harm someone by posting offensive content or making them appear bad.
- Exclusion or isolation: Purposefully excluding someone from online groups or conversations, making them feel left out.
- Cyberstalking: Constantly monitoring and tracking someone's online activities, invading their privacy and causing distress.
Column 3: Consequences of Cyberbullying
- Emotional distress: Victims of cyberbullying often experience increased stress, anxiety, and fear due to the persistent and public nature of the harassment.
- Decreased self-esteem: Cyberbullying can lead to a decline in self-confidence and self-worth, causing victims to doubt themselves and their abilities.
- Academic impact: Targeted individuals may have difficulty concentrating in school, leading to a decline in academic performance.
- Social isolation: Cyberbullying can make victims feel isolated and excluded from social activities, friendships, and peer groups.
- Chronic mental health issues: Prolonged cyberbullying can contribute to the development of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Column 4: How to prevent Cyberbullying
- Promote positive online behavior and digital citizenship by teaching empathy, kindness, and respect.
- Educate children and teenagers about privacy settings and the importance of protecting personal information online.
- Encourage open communication between children and parents, so they feel comfortable discussing any cyberbullying experiences.
- Monitor online activity and set appropriate boundaries for device and internet use.
- Teach children how to identify signs of cyberbullying in others and to report it to trusted adults or authorities.
- Raise awareness about the impact of cyberbullying through school programs, community initiatives, and online resources.
Column 1: Facts about Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying can occur through various digital platforms such as social media, emails, text messages, online gaming, and chat rooms.
- It can happen to people of all ages, but it is more common among teenagers and young adults.
- The anonymity provided by the internet can give bullies a sense of power and enable them to target victims without facing immediate consequences.
- Cyberbullying can have serious and long-lasting effects on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Column 2: Types of Cyberbullying
- Online harassment: Sending threatening or abusive messages, comments, or emails.
- Online rumors: Spreading false and damaging information about someone with the intention of harming their reputation.
- Impersonation: Creating fake profiles or accounts to deceive and harm someone by posting offensive content or making them appear bad.
- Exclusion or isolation: Purposefully excluding someone from online groups or conversations, making them feel left out.
- Cyberstalking: Constantly monitoring and tracking someone's online activities, invading their privacy and causing distress.
Column 3: Consequences of Cyberbullying
- Emotional distress: Victims of cyberbullying often experience increased stress, anxiety, and fear due to the persistent and public nature of the harassment.
- Decreased self-esteem: Cyberbullying can lead to a decline in self-confidence and self-worth, causing victims to doubt themselves and their abilities.
- Academic impact: Targeted individuals may have difficulty concentrating in school, leading to a decline in academic performance.
- Social isolation: Cyberbullying can make victims feel isolated and excluded from social activities, friendships, and peer groups.
- Chronic mental health issues: Prolonged cyberbullying can contribute to the development of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Column 4: How to prevent Cyberbullying
- Promote positive online behavior and digital citizenship by teaching empathy, kindness, and respect.
- Educate children and teenagers about privacy settings and the importance of protecting personal information online.
- Encourage open communication between children and parents, so they feel comfortable discussing any cyberbullying experiences.
- Monitor online activity and set appropriate boundaries for device and internet use.
- Teach children how to identify signs of cyberbullying in others and to report it to trusted adults or authorities.
- Raise awareness about the impact of cyberbullying through school programs, community initiatives, and online resources.
can you paraphrase this text:
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
Cyberbullying refers to bullying that happens using digital devices, such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through various means, including SMS, text messages, and online platforms such as social media, forums, and gaming communities. Cyberbullying involves sending, posting, or sharing content that is negative, harmful, false, or mean about another person. It can also involve sharing personal or private information to embarrass or humiliate someone. In some cases, cyberbullying may even cross legal boundaries and be considered unlawful or criminal behavior.
ok now use that text and what you wrote about column number 1 and combine them together.
Cyberbullying is the act of using digital devices, like cell phones, computers, and tablets, to engage in bullying behavior. It can occur through various means including SMS, text messages, and online platforms such as social media, forums, and gaming communities. Examples of cyberbullying include sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. This can also involve sharing personal or private information about someone with the intention of causing embarrassment or humiliation. It's important to note that cyberbullying can cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior. It can have serious consequences on the mental health of the victims, leading to emotional distress, decreased self-esteem, and even academic impact. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness and make efforts to prevent cyberbullying by promoting positive online behavior, educating about privacy settings, and empowering individuals to report incidents of cyberbullying to trusted adults or authorities. Additionally, parents play a significant role in protecting their children from cyberbullying by maintaining open communication, monitoring online activity, and providing emotional support.
then paraphrase it to make more sense
Cyberbullying refers to bullying through digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through various means, such as SMS, text messages, and online platforms like social media and gaming communities. Examples of cyberbullying include sharing negative or harmful content about someone and revealing personal information to embarrass or humiliate them. It's important to remember that cyberbullying can cross legal boundaries. It can have severe effects on victims, leading to emotional distress, decreased self-esteem, and academic difficulties. To combat cyberbullying, it is crucial to promote positive online behavior, educate about privacy settings, and encourage reporting. Parents also play a vital role in protecting their children by maintaining communication, monitoring online activity, and providing support.
ok now paraphrase this text:
About 37% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have been bullied online. 30% have had it happen more than once.[1]
95% of teens in the U.S. are online, and the vast majority access the internet on their mobile device, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.[2]
23% of students reported that they’ve said or done something mean or cruel to another person online. 27% reported that they’ve experienced the same from someone else.[3]
Girls are more likely than boys to be both victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying. 15% of teen girls have been the target of at least four different kinds of abusive online behaviors, compared with 6% of boys.[4]
About half of LGBTQ+ students experience online harassment -- a rate higher than average.[5]
Instagram is the social media site where most young people report experiencing cyberbullying, with 42% of those surveyed experiencing harassment on the platform.[6]
Young people who experience cyberbullying are at a greater risk than those who don’t for both self-harm and suicidal behaviors.[7]
83% of young people believe social media companies should be doing more to tackle cyberbullying on their platforms.[8]
60% of young people have witnessed online bullying. Most do not intervene.[9]
Only 1 in 10 teen victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.[10]
4 out of 5 students (81%) say they would be more likely to intervene in instances of cyberbullying if they could do it anonymously.
About 37% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have been bullied online. 30% have had it happen more than once.[1]
95% of teens in the U.S. are online, and the vast majority access the internet on their mobile device, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.[2]
23% of students reported that they’ve said or done something mean or cruel to another person online. 27% reported that they’ve experienced the same from someone else.[3]
Girls are more likely than boys to be both victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying. 15% of teen girls have been the target of at least four different kinds of abusive online behaviors, compared with 6% of boys.[4]
About half of LGBTQ+ students experience online harassment -- a rate higher than average.[5]
Instagram is the social media site where most young people report experiencing cyberbullying, with 42% of those surveyed experiencing harassment on the platform.[6]
Young people who experience cyberbullying are at a greater risk than those who don’t for both self-harm and suicidal behaviors.[7]
83% of young people believe social media companies should be doing more to tackle cyberbullying on their platforms.[8]
60% of young people have witnessed online bullying. Most do not intervene.[9]
Only 1 in 10 teen victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.[10]
4 out of 5 students (81%) say they would be more likely to intervene in instances of cyberbullying if they could do it anonymously.
Approximately 37% of youth aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% encountering it repeatedly. The internet, accessed mainly through mobile devices, has become the most common medium for cyberbullying, as 95% of U.S. teens are online. A significant portion of students, around 23%, admit to engaging in mean or cruel behavior online, while 27% have been on the receiving end. Girls are more likely than boys to be both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying, with 15% of teenage girls targeted by multiple forms of abusive online behavior, compared to 6% of boys. LGBTQ+ students face a higher rate of online harassment than the average, with about half experiencing it. Among social media platforms, Instagram is reported to be where most young people experience cyberbullying, with 42% reporting harassment on the platform. Those who experience cyberbullying are at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors than those who do not. An overwhelming majority, 83%, believe that social media companies should take stronger action against cyberbullying on their platforms. Although 60% of young people observe online bullying, the majority do not intervene. Alarmingly, only 1 in 10 teen victims confides in a parent or trusted adult about their abuse. This highlights the importance of anonymous intervention, as 81% of students would be more likely to step in if they could do so without revealing their identity.
ok now combine that with column 2 and paraphrase it to make sence
Certainly! Here's a paraphrased combination of the information from Column 2 and the provided statistics:
Cyberbullying encompasses various forms of online harassment. Examples include sending threatening messages, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles. These forms of cyberbullying can lead to emotional distress, decreased self-esteem, and social isolation. It is important to be aware of the prevalence of cyberbullying among young people. Statistics show that approximately 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% experiencing repeat incidents. Girls are more likely than boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying, and LGBTQ+ students face a higher rate of harassment. Instagram is the most commonly reported social media platform for experiencing cyberbullying, with around 42% of surveyed young people reporting harassment on that platform. Disturbingly, young people who experience cyberbullying are at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Despite witnessing online bullying, most young people do not intervene, and only a small percentage of teenage victims confide in a parent or trusted adult. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness, intervention, and support to prevent and address cyberbullying effectively.
Cyberbullying encompasses various forms of online harassment. Examples include sending threatening messages, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles. These forms of cyberbullying can lead to emotional distress, decreased self-esteem, and social isolation. It is important to be aware of the prevalence of cyberbullying among young people. Statistics show that approximately 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% experiencing repeat incidents. Girls are more likely than boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying, and LGBTQ+ students face a higher rate of harassment. Instagram is the most commonly reported social media platform for experiencing cyberbullying, with around 42% of surveyed young people reporting harassment on that platform. Disturbingly, young people who experience cyberbullying are at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Despite witnessing online bullying, most young people do not intervene, and only a small percentage of teenage victims confide in a parent or trusted adult. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness, intervention, and support to prevent and address cyberbullying effectively.
its too much info bot can you give me less
Certainly! Here's a more concise paraphrased version:
Cyberbullying involves various forms of online harassment, such as sending threats, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles. Disturbingly, around 37% of young people aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with girls being more likely to be both victims and perpetrators. Instagram is the most common platform for cyberbullying, affecting approximately 42% of young people. It is concerning that those who experience cyberbullying are at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Many young people witness online bullying but do not intervene, and only a small percentage inform a trusted adult. These statistics emphasize the importance of raising awareness and taking action to prevent and address cyberbullying effectively.
Cyberbullying involves various forms of online harassment, such as sending threats, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles. Disturbingly, around 37% of young people aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with girls being more likely to be both victims and perpetrators. Instagram is the most common platform for cyberbullying, affecting approximately 42% of young people. It is concerning that those who experience cyberbullying are at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Many young people witness online bullying but do not intervene, and only a small percentage inform a trusted adult. These statistics emphasize the importance of raising awareness and taking action to prevent and address cyberbullying effectively.
ok but i want more info from the text not what you said ok
Apologies for the confusion. Here's a revised version with more information from the text:
Cyberbullying, which includes sending threats, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles, is prevalent among young people. Around 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% facing recurring incidents. It is noteworthy that girls are more likely to be both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying. Instagram is reported as the platform where most young people experience cyberbullying, with 42% facing harassment on this platform. Disturbingly, cyberbullying has severe consequences, as it puts young people at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Despite witnessing online bullying, most young people do not intervene, and only 1 in 10 teen victims disclose their abuse to a parent or trusted adult. These findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, intervention strategies, and support to effectively combat cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying, which includes sending threats, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles, is prevalent among young people. Around 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% facing recurring incidents. It is noteworthy that girls are more likely to be both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying. Instagram is reported as the platform where most young people experience cyberbullying, with 42% facing harassment on this platform. Disturbingly, cyberbullying has severe consequences, as it puts young people at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Despite witnessing online bullying, most young people do not intervene, and only 1 in 10 teen victims disclose their abuse to a parent or trusted adult. These findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, intervention strategies, and support to effectively combat cyberbullying.
can you add the part about LGBTQ+ peolpe
Certainly! Here's an updated version that includes information about LGBTQ+ individuals:
Cyberbullying, encompassing sending threats, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles, is unfortunately prevalent among young people. Around 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% facing recurring incidents. It is important to note that cyberbullying disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals, with approximately half experiencing online harassment—higher than the average. Girls are also more likely to be both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying. Notably, Instagram is reported as the platform where most young people experience cyberbullying, with 42% facing harassment on this platform. The consequences of cyberbullying are severe, as it puts young people at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Despite witnessing online bullying, most young people do not intervene, and only 1 in 10 teen victims disclose their abuse to a parent or trusted adult. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, intervention strategies, and support, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, to effectively address the issue of cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying, encompassing sending threats, spreading rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles, is unfortunately prevalent among young people. Around 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% facing recurring incidents. It is important to note that cyberbullying disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals, with approximately half experiencing online harassment—higher than the average. Girls are also more likely to be both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying. Notably, Instagram is reported as the platform where most young people experience cyberbullying, with 42% facing harassment on this platform. The consequences of cyberbullying are severe, as it puts young people at a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Despite witnessing online bullying, most young people do not intervene, and only 1 in 10 teen victims disclose their abuse to a parent or trusted adult. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, intervention strategies, and support, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, to effectively address the issue of cyberbullying.
ok less info but keep the LGBTQ+ info
Certainly! Here's a revised version with less information but still includes the LGBTQ+ information:
Cyberbullying, involving threats, rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles, is prevalent among young people. Approximately 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with girls more likely to be both victims and perpetrators. It is important to recognize that cyberbullying particularly affects LGBTQ+ individuals, with about half experiencing online harassment. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, intervention strategies, and support to effectively address cyberbullying, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
Cyberbullying, involving threats, rumors, sharing personal information without consent, and creating fake profiles, is prevalent among young people. Approximately 37% of individuals aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with girls more likely to be both victims and perpetrators. It is important to recognize that cyberbullying particularly affects LGBTQ+ individuals, with about half experiencing online harassment. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, intervention strategies, and support to effectively address cyberbullying, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
ok now paraphrase this text:
Sometimes, people are afraid or not sure if they're being bullied or not. So they don't do anything about it. If you're being bullied, harassed, or teased in a hurtful way — or know someone who is — you don't have to suffer in silence. In fact, you absolutely should report any upsetting texts, messages, posts, or emails.
Tell someone. Most experts agree: The first thing to do is tell an adult you trust. This is often easier said than done. People who are cyberbullied may feel embarrassed or reluctant to report a bully. Some may hesitate because they're not 100% sure who is doing the bullying. But bullying can get worse, so speak up until you find someone to help. Sometimes the police can track down an anonymous online bully, so it's often worthwhile to report it.
Most parents are so concerned about protecting their kids that sometimes they focus on taking major steps to stop the bullying. If you're being bullied and worry about losing your phone or computer privileges, explain your fears to your parents. Let them know how important it is to stay connected, and work with them to figure out a solution that doesn't leave you feeling punished as well as picked on. You may have to do some negotiating on safe phone or computer use — the most important thing is to first get the bullying under control.
You also can talk to your school counselor or a trusted teacher or family member. If the bullying feels like it's really getting you down (like if it's affecting your sleep or concentration), therapy can help. If you're not ready for that, you can still benefit from the support of a trusted adult.
Walk away. What you've heard about walking away from a real-life bully works in the virtual world too. Ignoring bullies is the best way to take away their power, but it isn't always easy to do — in the real world or online.
If you see something upsetting, try to step away from the computer or turn off your phone for a while. Don't respond, and never forward the message to someone else. Find something to distract yourself from what's going on. Do something you love that doesn't give you time to think about what's happening, like playing the guitar, going for a run, or losing yourself in a book or movie. You can also just chat with a parent or sibling or play with a pet.
Taking a break like this allows you to keep things in perspective and focus on the good things in your life. It also gives you time to figure out how you want to handle things.
Resist the urge to retaliate or respond. Walking away or taking a break when you're faced with online bullying gives you some space so you won't be tempted to fire back a response or engage with the bully or bullies. Responding when we're upset can make things worse. (Standing up to a bully can be effective sometimes, but it's more likely to provoke the person and escalate the situation.) Taking a break gives the power back to you!
Although it's not a good idea to respond to a bully, it is a good idea to save evidence of the bullying if you can. It can help you prove your case, if needed. You don't have to keep mean emails, texts, or other communications where you see them all the time — you can screenshot them or ask a parent to make a copy or save them to a flash drive.
Report bullying. Social media sites take it seriously when people post cruel or mean stuff or set up fake accounts. If users report abuse, the site administrator may block the bully from using the site in the future. If someone sends you mean texts or emails, report it to phone service or email providers (such as Comcast, Google, and Verizon).
Block the bully. Most devices have settings that let you electronically block the bully or bullies from sending notes. If you don't know how to do this, ask a friend or adult who does.
Be safe online. Password protect your smartphone and your online sites, and change your passwords often. Be sure to share your passwords only with your parent or guardian. It's also wise to think twice before sharing personal information or photos/videos that you don't want the world to see. Once you've posted a photo or message, it can be hard or even impossible to delete. So remind yourself to be cautious when posting photos or responding to someone's upsetting message.
Sometimes, people are afraid or not sure if they're being bullied or not. So they don't do anything about it. If you're being bullied, harassed, or teased in a hurtful way — or know someone who is — you don't have to suffer in silence. In fact, you absolutely should report any upsetting texts, messages, posts, or emails.
Tell someone. Most experts agree: The first thing to do is tell an adult you trust. This is often easier said than done. People who are cyberbullied may feel embarrassed or reluctant to report a bully. Some may hesitate because they're not 100% sure who is doing the bullying. But bullying can get worse, so speak up until you find someone to help. Sometimes the police can track down an anonymous online bully, so it's often worthwhile to report it.
Most parents are so concerned about protecting their kids that sometimes they focus on taking major steps to stop the bullying. If you're being bullied and worry about losing your phone or computer privileges, explain your fears to your parents. Let them know how important it is to stay connected, and work with them to figure out a solution that doesn't leave you feeling punished as well as picked on. You may have to do some negotiating on safe phone or computer use — the most important thing is to first get the bullying under control.
You also can talk to your school counselor or a trusted teacher or family member. If the bullying feels like it's really getting you down (like if it's affecting your sleep or concentration), therapy can help. If you're not ready for that, you can still benefit from the support of a trusted adult.
Walk away. What you've heard about walking away from a real-life bully works in the virtual world too. Ignoring bullies is the best way to take away their power, but it isn't always easy to do — in the real world or online.
If you see something upsetting, try to step away from the computer or turn off your phone for a while. Don't respond, and never forward the message to someone else. Find something to distract yourself from what's going on. Do something you love that doesn't give you time to think about what's happening, like playing the guitar, going for a run, or losing yourself in a book or movie. You can also just chat with a parent or sibling or play with a pet.
Taking a break like this allows you to keep things in perspective and focus on the good things in your life. It also gives you time to figure out how you want to handle things.
Resist the urge to retaliate or respond. Walking away or taking a break when you're faced with online bullying gives you some space so you won't be tempted to fire back a response or engage with the bully or bullies. Responding when we're upset can make things worse. (Standing up to a bully can be effective sometimes, but it's more likely to provoke the person and escalate the situation.) Taking a break gives the power back to you!
Although it's not a good idea to respond to a bully, it is a good idea to save evidence of the bullying if you can. It can help you prove your case, if needed. You don't have to keep mean emails, texts, or other communications where you see them all the time — you can screenshot them or ask a parent to make a copy or save them to a flash drive.
Report bullying. Social media sites take it seriously when people post cruel or mean stuff or set up fake accounts. If users report abuse, the site administrator may block the bully from using the site in the future. If someone sends you mean texts or emails, report it to phone service or email providers (such as Comcast, Google, and Verizon).
Block the bully. Most devices have settings that let you electronically block the bully or bullies from sending notes. If you don't know how to do this, ask a friend or adult who does.
Be safe online. Password protect your smartphone and your online sites, and change your passwords often. Be sure to share your passwords only with your parent or guardian. It's also wise to think twice before sharing personal information or photos/videos that you don't want the world to see. Once you've posted a photo or message, it can be hard or even impossible to delete. So remind yourself to be cautious when posting photos or responding to someone's upsetting message.
1 answer