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Cyber bullying can be as serious, if not more serious, than physical bullying.
Truth is, cyber bullying can take place anytime, anywhere and a victim can suffer for a prolonged period of time due to the nature of the medium used - the Internet. With the rising of usage of social media such as Instagram, Tik Tok and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, anyone can be a cyber bully, and also a victim of cyber bullying.
News about celebrities or just about any person committing suicide due to cyber bullying is not new.
What drives them to do so? While we may never know the full details, it is quite clear that a big factor behind it is the relentless abuse they suffer from online (cyber) bullies and trolls.
In Singapore, there is also an increasing worrying sign about young persons suffering from cyber bullying due to the constant usage of devices and their presence online.
A survey in 2018 by Channel News Asia shows that 3 in 4 youngsters have been bullied online.
So what constitutes cyber bullying? Here are some of the most common forms:
Flaming: Posting of mean or unkind messages about individuals with the intention to humiliate or insult the person
Sharing of embarrassing media: Spreading unpleasant videos/photos with the intention to embarrass or harm the person's reputation
Harassing: Sending hurtful or threatening messages with the intention to emotionally hurt the person
We cannot control what others do to us, but we can control how we respond.
We cannot control what others do to us, but we can control how we respond.
Knowing that we have control over ourselves gives us the ability to manage our emotions and reactions whenever something unpleasant happens. It is normal to feel angry, sad or even vengeful when one is being cyber bullied. The way to deal with cyber bullies, therefore, often begin by taking care of ourselves first.
Try these tips:
Do not respond or retaliate to cyber bullies. Do not feed them the attention to continue their antics.
Block or remove the person's account from following your social media accounts. Set your profiles to private mode to prevent unwanted / unsolicited messages or posts on your feeds.
Report the matter to the authorities (including the social media platform) and school, if you know the identities of the perpetuator(s).
Talk to a trusted person / adult such as your parents or teachers who can advise you further.
There is no need to suffer in silence. Sometimes, bullies thrive on the weakness of their victims for not reporting the matter and so they were able to continue their bullying. It is therefore important to recognise the signs early to prevent the matter from worsening.
The Bystander
What do you do when you know of someone who is being (cyber) bullied? Are you able to recognise cyber bullying in the first place? Some of the signs might include the following:
Suddenly deleting/deactivating his social media accounts.
Withdrawn from social interactions / became quiet.
Stops responding to messages for long periods, or may appear upset and confrontational on social media platforms.
When there are signs of cyber bullying, you can help by checking with the person whether he is troubled or he needs a listening ear. Remember not to be judgmental and give enough space and time for him to feel comfortable to share what he is going through.
If necessary, do report to the teachers and authorities if there is a need for intervention and remediation.
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