If you’re being bullied online. support is available
Being bullied is awful in any setting, but online bullying can feel inescapable. Bullies tend to hide behind the anonymity the Internet provides, feeling powerful and able to insult people via email, instant messaging and social media.
In some cases simply ignoring the comments can be enough to deter the bully, but this can be easier said than done.
Steps you can take to deal with cyberbullying
If you are dealing with cyberbullying there are several steps you can take:
- Do not respond to negative comments.
- Keep a note of all correspondences.
- Report the issue to a website administrator if possible.
- Tell someone you trust what is happening.
It can be easy to keep what’s going on online to yourself, but you do not have to go through this alone. If you don’t feel able to tell someone you know, or you have told someone but are still feeling the effects of bullying, consider speaking to a professional.
How counselling can help
Counsellors can help you make sense of what’s happening. They can talk to you about the experience, explaining why bullies do this and how you can manage your reactions. A counsellor will not tell you what to do, they will simply offer you a safe space to talk about your experience.
Talking may not sound like much, but getting your feelings out and talking with a professional can help you gain confidence and power over the bullies. If you sit alone with your feelings not talking to anyone, your confidence can be affected. Some people who go through bullying develop anxiety and depression as a result. Being brave and seeking help is the first step to avoiding this and feeling safe online.
Counselling Directory is a website designed to help those who feel helpless. It features informative fact-sheets and a ‘find a counsellor’ search tool. Find out more about counselling for cyberbullying on their dedicated bullying page.
