A person uploads a picture of themselves onto their social network. They hope for a number of likes and comments on this picture. They experience the joy when a good amount of people appreciate their picture. However, what they did not expect is the nasty comments or the messages telling them to kill themselves. These messages and comments are all a part of cyber-bullying.
According to U.S. Legal Definitions, “cyber-bullying could be limited to posting rumors or gossip about a person in the internet bringing about hatred in other’s minds; or it may go to the extent of personally identifying victims and publishing materials severely defaming and humiliating them”. Basically, bullies go online either on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media website, and start sending hate messages and threats to vulnerable people. These bullies usually create a fake account or become anonymous just to make a persons’ life miserable. There have been many cases of cyber-bullying, and these often lead to psychological problems for the victims.
Since children under the age of 18 also have Facebook accounts these days, bullying them through these platforms becomes incredibly simple. Young children may be infatuated with posting pictures of their daily life on social websites. Cyberbullies find these pictures and post comments or message the person privately. The rise of the number of mobile applications has also fuelled the increase of cyber bullying.
In a recent case, a Tumblr user committed suicide due to cyber-bullying. This user got a massive amount of hate messages which triggered her depression and led to her eventual suicide. Most often, teenagers or young adults from the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community get a flurry of hate for being “abnormal”. Tyler Clementi is one such individual who was harassed by his roommates for his sexual preference. Cyber-bullying is a serious issue, especially when dealing with people who already have a history with poor mental health
If you have been on the receiving end of bullying on the virtual space, here are a few tips to cope:
1) Seek help from family: Bullies derive strength from isolating their victims. Don’t suffer in silence. If you experience cyber-bullying, share it with your loved ones right away. Family will always be willing to help you in severe cases of bullying.
2) Don’t let them win: Keep in mind that these bullies intend on affecting you. Letting them come in the way of your happiness is letting them win. Do not allow them that satisfaction. Most of the times, these bullies are just unhappy people looking to spread the gloom to everyone around them. At the same time, don’t bottle it up for too long. Bottled emotions never cope well. Don’t let the messages define you as a person, but talk about the problems you are facing.
3) Don’t beat yourself up: Remember that no matter what a cyberbully says about you, you have your own interests. Be confident about who you are. As soon as you accept yourself, a cyberbully cannot harm your image.
4) Spend time with hobbies: Spending a good amount of time doing something you love will help you keep your mind occupied. These activities will reduce the significance that cyber-bullying has on your life.
5) Talk it out: Regardless of the listener being a friend, parent, or a professional, talk out your problems. If your friends and family are unable to help you, you can always seek professional help from a counsellor. Healtheminds counsellors are just a click away from helping you deal with your problems!
Contributed by: Ms.Kirthana Devarakonda