Cyberbullying
It’s so easy to circulate an embarrassing photo or post a hurtful comment from behind a desk. Worse still, malicious words may be sent directly to the intended victim to keep it off the radar. This kind of behaviour is not acceptable. No matter who it happens to.
Speak out against all forms of cybertorment.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or cyberbullying is the unwanted spreading, sharing or forwarding of hurtful or harmful messages. Examples of online bullying include:
- Stealing login credentials to impersonate another person;
- Creating fake accounts to post hurtful messages;
- Vilifying and gossiping in whatsapp groups or on social media
- Deliberately excluding someone from a group or on social media;
- Spreading intimate photos or video;
- Distributing photos or videos showing someone being harassed or beaten;
- Threatening tweets, posts on social media or emails;
- Creating and distributing hurtful memes and images.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Cyberbullying can happen to anyone, check out "First Aid for…" for concrete tips, what to do if you are a victim of cyberbullying.
Think carefully about what you do and do not share online.
- Never share private information such as your full name, address, phone number online;
- Shield your social media profiles as much as possible. You can do this with the privacy settings;
- Only post neutral photos that do not show a house number, street name or other information;
- Only accept friend requests from people you have met in real life and feel comfortable with;
- Remove unknown people from your friend list;
- Think before you respond on social media or other places. Would you say the same thing to someone in real life? Would you send the same text or pictures to your mother? Messages hit harder online than you might mean;
- Behave the same online as you would in real life. Don't swear, post angry messages or make nasty memes;
- Have you seen or experienced something unpleasant, or see it happen to someone else? Tell someone you trust. If the cyberbullying takes place at school, contact the school's confidential advisor.
