This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
July 15, 2020, marked a significant shift in the way we communicate with each other, thanks to the universal human right to freedom of speech and expression. While this freedom allows us to express ourselves openly, it also creates an environment where bullies can easily target their victims with hostile content. Cyberbullying is a serious issue that can lead to emotional and mental distress, even if the abuse is not physical.
So, how do we deal with cyberbullying? The first step is to not engage with the bully. Most cyberbullies are people with too much time on their hands, and they often provoke unnecessary arguments with strangers to keep their minds occupied. Some are simply narcissists who cannot accept opinions different from theirs and will attack anyone who tries to refute them. Whatever their reasons, do not engage with cyberbullies, especially not at the heat of the moment.
When you notice someone constantly harassing you online, take a step back and adjust your privacy settings to limit your audience. This way, you can control who sees your online activity and avoid attracting cyberbullies who have no business reacting to your posts. Having a limited audience also allows you to surround yourself with people who share similar views, which can help you avoid conflicts.
However, if a follower or friend is the cyberbully, social media platforms have tools to help you deal with this. You can delete a comment you find harmful, unfriend or unfollow them, report them to your service providers, and even block them. Make sure you keep screenshots and copies of their comments, emails, texts, and anything else they send you, in case you need to report them to the police.
Lastly, if you're a victim of cyberbullying, don't try to deal with it by yourself. Reach out to a friend or family member and let them know your experience. Let them help you navigate through it, and try to focus on the positive as well. Don't give up your online dreams, and let your persistence bear fruits of success.
