Cyberbullying: what should I do?
๐ In short
Cyberbullying is when someone hurts another person online: with hurtful words, mockery, posting an embarrassing photo, or leaving them out of the group of friends. It can happen in messages, games or comments, and it hurts just as much as bullying in the playground. The good news: it can be stopped.
๐คฉ Did you know?
- Most games and apps have โReportโ and โBlockโ buttons to stop people who hurt others.
- Many countries have special days to raise awareness of bullying and kindness online.
- One kind message can change a sad friend's day.
- Talking to a grown-up is the strongest step to stop bullying.
๐ Find out more
๐ If it happens to me
I don't answer back unkindly, and I don't keep it secret. I keep the message or take a screenshot, then block the sender and tell my dad, mom or teacher. It's not my fault, and grown-ups are there to help me.
๐ If I see it happening to someone else
I don't laugh or share the hurtful post. I write something kind to my friend and tell a grown-up. People who see bullying and don't join in can stop it.
๐ก Think before you post
Before I write something I ask myself: is it true? Is it kind? Would I say it to the person's face? If the answer is โnoโ, I don't post it.
๐ฏ Words stay
What we post online can be copied by others and stay around for a long time, even if we delete it. So we always write things we won't regret.
๐งญ Block and report
The โBlockโ button stops the person from messaging you, and the โReportโ button tells the people who run the site or game so they can act. Use both, and don't be shy about it.
๐ Our words build
Online we can't see the face of the person reading, so we can't see if they're sad. So we choose kind words, give praise and encourage: the internet is nicer when each of us is kind.
๐ See how it works
๐ Key words
- Cyberbullying
- Hurting someone with words or pictures online
- Blocking
- Stopping someone from contacting you
- Reporting
- Telling the people who run the site what's happening
๐งช Try it at home
Write three kind messages you could send a sad friend, and three things to say if you see someone being picked on. Keep them in your notebook for when you need them.
๐งฉ Test yourself
1 You get a hurtful message. What do you do first?
2 You see a post making fun of a classmate. What do you do?