What is cyberbullying and how to protect yourself

Today, as we spend a lot of time online—on social media, gaming platforms, and discussion groups—it’s important to know what cyberbullying is and how to protect yourself from it.

Cyberbullying is carried out through digital communication tools (such as social media, messengers, online gaming platforms, email, etc.) by mocking, humiliating, insulting, stalking, emotionally pressuring, threatening, or intimidating a person.

Cyberbullying happens when others leave offensive comments or memes under your photos and posts, spread gossip or false information about you, try to threaten you through private messages, or share your personal data without your permission in order to mock or harm you, it can also involve excluding you from participation in various social groups, etc.

Usually, in such cases, you may experience a drop in mood and self-esteem, a decreased desire to study or interact with others, trouble sleeping, and even digestive issues.

It’s important to know that you are not to blame, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed or bad about something that isn’t your fault.

What to do if you’re experiencing cyberbullying

• Don’t respond to insults. That’s exactly what the bully wants — for you to react so they can keep mocking or humiliating you.
• Keep the evidence. Take screenshots, save messages, videos, and images — and if needed, show them to a trusted adult.
• Talk to someone you trust. Speak with a parent, teacher, older sibling, or psychologist. If needed, you can also reach out to us.
• Block the person bullying you online. Most social networks let you block users or report them to group admins if they break community rules. Make your profile private. Check out our tips on how to deal with cyberbullying.
• Don’t face it alone. Remember — many others have been in similar situations. You are not alone, and there is always help available.

How to prevent cyberbullying

• Don’t share your personal information online (like your address, phone number, or passwords).
• Limit who can message you or see your posts.
• Always think before you post — is it really worth sharing?
• Don’t take part in cyberbullying yourself — even jokes or funny comments can sometimes hurt others.
• Be a good friend — if you see someone being cyberbullied, support them.

——

Go to the “What to do if…?” section of our website, find the description that matches your current situation, and explore the technical, psychological, and legal solutions.

If you’re having difficulty or facing obstacles, reach out to us — our specialists are here to support you.

——

This blog has been funded by UK International Development from the UK government and developed with the support of UNICEF. However, the views expressed in this blog belong to CyberChat’s authors and do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies or the positions of the implementing organizations.