Report abuse
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the term used when people use the internet or other technologies such as IM, social networking sites and mobile phones to send upsetting messages to other people. This includes making malicious phone calls or writing things about someone in a text or on a website, that are either inappropriate or untrue.
Bullies are looking for attention by getting a reaction out of the person they are bullying. They can use tactics such as making threats, intimidation, harassment and possibly even stalking.
This means that the bullying can feel never-ending and even invades your personal space at home. It can be a very distressing time and now its time to act!
Advice
If someone is being horrible to you in this way, don’t respond or reply to them. If someone says or does something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can stop the chat by signing off and talk to your parent or a trusted adult.
Try to avoid being alone in places where it is just you and the bully. If you are being bothered when using a social networking site, you can delete them as your friend. If your privacy settings are set so only your friends can view your profile, they will no longer be able to contact you.
If the bully is contacting you over instant messenger, you can block them. They will not know they have been blocked, as you will just appear offline on their contact list. Once blocked, they will not be able to communicate with you.
It is best not to answer texts or calls from this person; this may bore them and stop them from contacting you. If you don’t respond or fight back, the bully will not get the attention they are looking for.
Because of its nature, cyberbullying can be evidenced. This means that if you save any nasty texts, emails or conversations this can be used as proof when you tell a trusted adult.
Please see our thinkuknow website for more information on cyberbullying, how to block people online and the legal implications of this issue.
What to do next
If you are upset you may want to chat to someone about how you feel. Childline is a service where you can have a private one to one chat with someone from a children’s charity called the NSPCC. You can also call Childline on a free and confidential telephone number - 0800 1111 where you can talk to someone in private. Because childline is confidential, the number will not appear on your phone bill.
Have a look at the Childline website.
On this site they have lots of advice on what to do if you are being cyberbullied. Check out thinkuknow.co.uk for advice on how to keep yourself safe and in control when you’re online.