What can you do if a peer is being cyberbullied?
Cyberbullying, a form of online bullying that involves using technology to hurt the feelings of another person, has seen a sharp rise during the pandemic. Cyberbullying can have some life-threatening consequences, which may take the form of mental, emotional, or physical effects. In this article, we discuss how to identify if your friend/peer is being cyberbullied and what you can do to help them out.
While a peer may reach out to you for help, it is important to take note of some of the classic signs and symptoms that are mentioned below.
What are some signs that a peer is being cyberbullied?
Sudden change in attitude
Being less social than what they used to be
Irregular attendance at school/ their job
Feeling depressed, anxious
Not able to focus/concentrate in class or at work
Thoughts of running away, hurting themselves
Suddenly deletion of all their online accounts
Of course, this list is non-exhaustive and could be indicative of other issues as well. If you suspect that a peer is being cyberbullied, what should you do next?
What can you do to help?
Talk to them about it, let them know that what is happening to them is wrong, and let them know it is okay for them to seek help
Suggest that they report the cyberbullying. Remind them to gather evidence (screenshots, etc) which can be used.
If you think that your friend is at risk of hurting themselves, tell a teacher/counselor/trusted adult
Help them change their privacy settings on social media sites to prevent further harm
Encourage them to reach out to a helpline or mental health professional
Cyberbullying is a punishable offense. For instance, In India, cyberbullying is a punishable offense under the IT Act 2000 and the Indian Penal Code. Victims can complain about cyberbullying via the government’s helpline number 112 (as mentioned in TOI). In the same vein, you can search for helpline numbers in your country. Remember that while you can help your peers, it is not your responsibility to fix the issue. The best you can do is help them navigate their way by showing them the direction and letting them know that they are not alone and that you care for them. For more detailed views on cyberbullying by professionals, please refer to this article by UNICEF.