How to Combat Bullying on Social Media
At Evangelhouse, we help girls in grades 6-12 that have been the victim of cyberbullying. Bullying that occurs online, such as on computers, tablets, and mobile phones, is referred to as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can happen online through social media, forums, or gaming where users can read, interact with, or exchange content. It can also happen through SMS, Text, and applications. Sending, posting, or disseminating unfavorable, hurtful, or malicious content about someone else is considered cyberbullying. It can also involve disclosing sensitive or private information about another individual in a way that causes embarrassment or humiliation. Cyberbullying occasionally veers into illegal or criminal action.
The following places are where cyberbullying is most frequent:
- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok are examples of social media.
- Message-sending software for tablets and mobile phones
- Online chatting, direct messaging, and instant messaging all use the internet.
- Online message boards, chat rooms, and forums like Reddit
- Emailing online gaming forums
Effects/Signs of Cyberbullying
Abusers transmit harmful words when they can remain hidden behind a screen because they can avoid confrontations of being face-to-face. However, because cyberbullying can conceal itself behind a screen, it may be challenging for you to recognize when it is happening. The following are some typical red flags that your daughter is a victim of cyberbullying:
- After utilizing their phone or the internet, your daughter experiences sadness, anger, or she gets upset.
- Your daughter has withdrawn from friends or family
- She has a reduction in grades without apparent cause or is reluctant to participate in routine activities or attend school.
- She displays signs of depression
One of the most frequent causes of a teen girl withdrawing from activities or reluctance to attend school is bullying. Because it can be difficult to escape from and sometimes even follows you home from school, cyberbullying can be especially deadly. If your daughter is a victim of cyberbullying, it is crucial that this situation be handled appropriately and that they receive the assistance they require. Over time, victims of cyberbullying may have a range of psychological issues.
The majority of cyberbullying attacks happen on social networking sites. Social media platforms make it simple for cyberbullying assaults to spread to many others in addition to the target. Because of this, cyberbullying incidents may be more destructive, and social media may have a significant impact on the increased occurrence of cyberbullying among teenagers.
In fact, using social media excessively can cause a variety of mental health issues on its own. Social media was created as a tool for connecting people and for exchanging concepts, ideas, and knowledge across a virtual network. Ironically, though, using social media excessively can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. This occurs because we often only show the finest aspects of ourselves and our life on social media, making others feel unworthy.
How to Combat Online Bullying
It’s critical to get help if you think that your daughter may be a victim of cyberbullying. Here are some advice and strategies to support you or a loved one who is dealing with cyberbullying.
Make an effort to help: If your daughter is a victim of cyberbullying, it’s critical that they get the support they need to stop the behavior and lessen the likelihood that it may have negative impacts or cause problems with their mental health. As a parent, listening and providing support are two of the best things you can do.
Refrain from responding or retaliating: When one person bullies another, they frequently search for a response to give them a sense of power. Additionally, taking offense can start a domino effect of negative reactions that prolongs and worsens the cyberbullying attack.
Remember that cyberbullying is not the victim’s fault: Conflicts between two or more people can occasionally lead to disagreements. A person is not handling the disagreement effectively and is actually bullying you if they are being cruel to you on a regular basis, whether it be in person or online. Never put the responsibility on yourself if someone mistreats you.
Use tech tools or remove your social media accounts: Deleting your social media accounts may seem hasty and “not an option” for some, but doing so could be the quickest approach to stop cyberbullying because social media can have many negative consequences on your welfare. However, you can block or report the harasser(s) if you don’t want to completely erase your social network account. Blocking the person might not be the best course of action if you are receiving significant threats, such as bodily harm, and it may be necessary to contact your local authorities.
Discuss online-related issues: Make sure your daughter knows they may turn to you if they receive any improper, perilous, or disturbing messages online. Talk to your daughter about the value of refraining from posting offensive or aggressive content online as well as acceptable conflict resolution techniques.
Next Steps
If your daughter has been victimized by cyberbullying on social media, the highly trained staff at Evangelhouse can help. Whether it’s through individual or group therapy, or as part of our therapeutic milieu, our girls at Evangelhouse receive the therapeutic support and positive peer interaction necessary to heal and grow. Please give us a call today at 1-800-924-4012 to discuss your daughter’s needs.
