Cyber bullying is a real problem and one that can shatter a child or teenager’s life. It can affect their mental, emotional and physical health, not to mention their reputation, image and social life. However, there are things you can do to stop a cyber bully, and the following is a look at the best course of action when it comes to dealing with a cyber bullying problem.
Get Educated
The best way to stop a cyber bully is to become educated and educate others about the problems and consequences of cyber abuse. Cyber bullying is when a minor bullies another minor over the internet or via cell phone or other electronic device. Learning how your actions affect others and how the pain cyber bullying can cause can lead to serious consequences up to and including suicide is critical as it will hopefully help you avoid such activities and actions. In addition, avoid giving bullies fodder to harass you with. This means never allowing compromising photos or videos of you to be taken.
Don’t Respond
Cyber bullying, much like traditional bullying, becomes an even greater problem when you give the bully the satisfaction of seeing you react to their harassment. The less satisfaction they receive, the less likely they will be to continue to bully you. When someone does something that may elicit a strong response from you, as a rule, wait at least five minutes before you respond. If they do not get the reaction they want, their bullying will likely stop. It’s important to understand that most actions are taken to get a specific reaction. If, for example, someone were to post a picture of you on the toilet, you can make a scene and give them what they want, or you could laugh it off and say, “Everyone uses the bathroom; someone just caught me doing it.” If you don’t care, others won’t either. It is hard, but worth working toward.
Fight Back Peaceably
When someone bullies, it is important to put a stop to it. While you may be able to deal with it, others may not. If you are bullied, you need to report it by notifying a teacher, parent or someone that can help keep the problem from escalating. If it happens on a public site contact the site administrator and see if you can get the person blocked from the site. Review the privacy settings on your blogs, social profiles, dating profiles and set them to private so that you can’t be bullied. The more difficult you make it for them to access you and affect you, the less likely the person is to bully you. If they can’t find your phone number, reach you by email, or on chat, then they will probably leave you alone. Distance and anonymity are the conditions that allow cyber bullying to thrive.
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