How To Help Someone Who Is Being Cyberbullied
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
Image: iStock
When you see someone you know getting bullied online, it can be pretty tough to know what to say and what not to say. Bullying that occurs on the internet is referred to as cyberbullying, and it involves using social media or technology to intentionally cause hurt to someone. It is quite a common occurrence, and we guarantee that at least one of your friends may have dealt with this when they were younger. Face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying can actually go hand-in-hand. This is especially the case when cyberbullying happens during high school. With the advent of social media and since so many Gen Z kids are on it, cyberbullying has become much more common. Cyberbullying isn’t something that is limited to high school; however, it can also involve those who are older. Some of the cyberbullying actions include:
1. Spreading False Rumors About Someone Online
Many people may not be aware of this, but spreading false rumors about someone counts as cyberbullying. Not only does it show off bad taste on your part, but you are basically humiliating someone on a public platform. Even if you have a confirmed rumor and it involves you, talk to the person in private.
2. Catfishing And Tricking Someone
Catfishing is when you use a false image to trick someone into believing you are someone else. Bullies may do this in order to get personal information from their target. There are many false accounts out there. Some do it to protect their identity or prank people. Anyhow, it is best to avoid adding bogey accounts just to increase your followers.
3. Posting Images/Videos Without Their Consent
Posting compromising or personal images without someone’s consent is never okay. If you have a good hangout session with your friends and tag them, that’s a different story. But there are enough startling and scary instances of blackmailing which ruins that person’s life forever. Not to mention the mental health issues and public criticism that will follow.
4. Name Calling And Leaving Abusive Messages
Calling someone names and leaving abusive messages is another sign of cyberbullying. While you can report these online, very often, action isn’t taken if it doesn’t get viral.
5. Threatening People
Sending people vile threats or telling them you are going to abuse or beat them is another form of cyberbullying. It might insinuate something serious later on if you are not careful enough.
6. Doxxing Someone
Spreading personal details, phone numbers, home addresses, and more count as cyberbullying. It is considered slander that can come full circle if proved wrong.
How To Tell If Someone You Know Is Being Cyberbullied?
There are a couple of ways in which you can tell that someone is being cyberbullied. If you are looking to understand how, here are eight ways:
1. They Feel Anxious
If you notice that the person being bullied feels super anxious or is not acting like themselves, that could be a sign that they are being cyberbullied.
2. They Seem To Be Falling Physically Sick
That could be a sign if you notice that the person has been falling sick too often and stressfully staring into their phone.
3. They Are Suffering From Lack Of Sleep
Bullying and being fearful of those around you can have a detrimental effect on your sleep cycle.
4. They May Be Feeling Ashamed And Embarrassed
If you notice that the person is feeling ashamed or embarrassed about how they look, the way they speak, etc, that could be a sign of cyberbullying.
5. They Have Thoughts Of Hurting Themselves
People who are cyberbullied may often consider suicide or harming themselves. If you notice someone self-harming or showing suicidal tendencies, make sure they get help.
6. They Look Very Upset After Receiving A Text Or Using Social Media
If the person you suspect is being cyberbullied, they may avoid using social media or seem extremely distressed after using it. Read the signs because many times they might pretend that everything is fine.
7. They Avoid Going To School/College
Another sign of cyberbullying is when someone stops or avoids going to school and doing things that they once enjoyed doing.
8. They Can’t Seem To Focus On School Work/College Work
If you notice that the person being bullied can’t focus on their homework or their grades start to drop, that is also a sign of them being bullied.
Steps You Can Take To Help Somebody
1. Say Something Positive Or Kind To Them
Kindness goes a long way and saying something friendly and positive to someone in the form of a comment, or personal message can go a long way.
2. Let Them Know They Are Not Alone
When you’re being cyberbullied, you will often feel like you are all alone in the world and that you have nobody around you. If you feel like you see someone being bullied, let them know that they are not alone.
3. Take A Stand Against The Bullies
If it’s safe for you to do, a brave thing to do would be to take a stand against the bully. Let the person know that what they are doing is not okay. You can even threaten to inform their parents or teachers, so they understand that they will face the consequences for their actions. If you spot someone leaving rude messages on someone’s posts, leave kind and positive messages and write “not cool” or “not okay” on the bully’s message thread.
4. Help Them Collect Evidence
You can collect evidence through screenshots and other text messages. Since cyberbullying leaves a digital footprint, it’s essential to gather all evidence, especially reporting it to authorities. It is important to instill some courage and confide in someone instead of suffering alone. Keep all the screenshots so there is no manipulation or room for unwarranted questions.
5. Talk To Them About Therapy
Therapy is vital, and one of the best ways to cope with cyberbullying is by talking to a professional about it. You can recommend any psychiatrists or others who can help deal with the negative self-image and other feelings associated with cyberbullying.
6. Help Them Change Their Privacy Settings
Changing your privacy settings is very important when it comes to cyberbullying. It’s essential that you show the person how to block, unfollow or restrict someone’s access to their profile. If the bullying gets too harsh, report them to the concerned authorities.
It can be quite tough to watch someone you care deeply about being hurt due to cyberbullying. It isn’t something that you have to put up with. If you are unsure about what to do or if you need a little extra support, it’s important to reach out to someone. Do you know someone, or have you ever dealt with cyberbullying? Tell us your story in the comments below.
