Cyberbullying is a serious problem that can have a profound impact on the lives of those who are victimized by it. In this blog post, we’ll talk about some of the most common indications of cyberbullying along with what you can do if you or someone you know is a victim.
What is cyberbullying and why does it happen?
Cyberbullying is defined as the act of sending, uploading or spreading nasty, harmful, false, or derogatory content about another person. It can entail revealing personal or private information about another person, causing embarrassment or disgrace. Some types of cyberbullying are illegal or criminal.
Cyberbullying can happen anywhere that internet-connected devices are used. This includes places like social media websites, online gaming platforms, chatrooms, and even private messaging apps. However, cyberbullying is not just limited to the internet—it can also happen through text messages, phone calls, and even in person, and that makes cyberbullying a severe problem for this generation.
What are the signs of cyberbullying?
In today’s digital world, the problem of cyberbullying has become more rampant. It can take many forms, such as harassment, threats, and unwanted exposure to private information, and can be done online. If cyberbullying happens online, here are the signs that you need to keep an eye for.
- Repeated, unwanted messages or comments on your social media account
- Threats or hurtful words that affect your wellbeing
- Posting private information or photos without your permission
- Pretending to be yourself and causing embarrassment in the end.
- If you observe one or more of these signs, you should get help immediately and inform someone you can trust.
Can cyberbullying affect mental health?
Being targeted by a cyberbully increases your chances of developing anxiety, despair, low self-esteem, or even feelings of worthlessness that can lead to depression. A recent study found that teenagers who were cyberbullied were more likely to experience symptoms of depression, such as social withdrawal, sleep problems, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and even suicide.
So…
What should you do if you’re being cyberbullied?
It is vital to know that you are not alone if you are a victim of cyberbullying. This type of harassment can be very upsetting, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and put an end to the harassment.
- Document the harassment. This can be done by saving screenshots or copies of abusive messages, posts, or emails. This will give you evidence to show to law enforcement or other authorities, if needed, and allow you to reach out to a trusted friend or family member for support.
- Report the suspect’s account on social media as harassment and block all of their accounts. This will help to stop the harassment and prevent them from being able to contact you.
- Make your online profiles private so that the suspect cannot follow or add you to social media platforms.
- Report the incident to the proper authorities that handle cyberbullying.
Takeaway!
Although cyberbullying involves the use of tools and weapons such as social media, smartphones, text messages, and online apps, these tools are not the issue we also need to be vigilant with our activities and take into consideration the possible aftermath of what we are about to do.
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