Stop Cyberbullying!

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Take my own story of online harassment for instance, which I go into more detail in my book “Break Loose”

Online threats and mean, aggressive, or rude texts, tweets, posts, or messages all fall under “cyberbullying”. So does posting personal information, pictures, or videos designed to hurt or embarrass someone else. We see it all the time, and others may approach and ask for help. I was forced to remove a lot of slanderous posts online, costing me thousands of dollars and some assassinations of my character still remain on Google.

Life does not seem fair at times when going through this type of experience or suffering.

Cyberbullying also includes photos, messages, or pages that don't get taken down, even after the person has been asked to do so. In other words, it's anything that gets posted online and is meant to hurt, harass or upset someone else. I ask all my clients and fans along with friends and family who are dealing with this type of danger to ignore it! I know it’s an ugly way to be targeted, and falsely accused online.

For example:

Intimidation or mean comments that focus on things like a person's gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, or physical differences count as discrimination, which is against the law in many states. That means the police could get involved, and bullies may face legal ramifications.

In my case, there was a stalker who did time in a State Mental Hospital, and has obsessively attempted to destroy my image online for over a decade, and I’m here to speak up for those who can’t seem to bounce out of this worrisome state, or can’t sleep over the things written about them on social media.

We know that it’s easier said than done to “ignore” them, and not “worry” about the awful posts that are out there for the world to judge or criticize you on. Online bullying can be particularly damaging and upsetting because it's usually anonymous or hard to trace. Yes, my stalker was anonymous and used many fictitious names and email to hide and write blogs on many different sites out there to harass my daily life. It's also hard to control, and the person being victimized has no idea how many people have seen the messages or posts. People can be tormented nonstop whenever they check their device, or google themselves and see horrible posts out there targeting their good image as an Author, or other successful achievements one has gained through hard work and dedication for their presence online.

Online bullying and harassment can be easier to commit than other acts of bullying because the bully/stalker doesn't have to confront their target in person. This was the case with my own experience! We have to stay strong and connected with those who care and reach out to those who give good advice like a life coach, or those who have experienced the worst of the worst online harassment.

What Are the Consequences of Cyber-bullying?

Sometimes, online bullying, like other kinds of bullying, can lead to serious long-lasting problems. The stress of being in a constant state of upset or fear can lead to problems with mood, energy level, sleep, and appetite. It also can make someone feel jumpy, anxious, or sad. If someone is already depressed or anxious, cyberbullying can make things much worse. Students who are cyber-bullied can struggle to concentrate in school, which can affect how well they do.

It's not just the person being bullied who gets hurt. The punishment for cyberbullies can be serious. More and more schools and after-school programs are creating systems to respond to cyberbullying. Schools may dismiss bullies from sports teams or suspend them from school. Some types of cyber-bullying may violate school codes or even break anti-discrimination or sexual harassment laws. So a bully may face serious legal repercussions.

Why Do People Do It?

Why would someone be a cyberbully? There are probably as many reasons as there are bullies themselves. My experience was with a man with a with a history of mental illness, who fixated on harming others online. We can’t always understand why they resort to harming others.

Sometimes, what seems like online harassment may be accidental. The impersonal nature of text messages, posts, and other ways of communicating online means it can be hard to figure out if someone is joking or not. It’s always taken seriously because the longer it happens the worse it can get.

Most people know when they're being bullied, though, because bullying involves repeated insults or threats. The people doing the bullying know they've crossed a line, too. It's not a one-off joke or insult — it's constant harassment and threats that go beyond typical teasing or a nasty comment made in anger.

What Can I Do About Cyberbullying?

Sometimes, people are afraid or not sure if they're being bullied or not. So they don't do anything about it. If you're being bullied, harassed, or teased in a hurtful way — or know someone who is — you don't have to suffer in silence. In fact, you absolutely should report any upsetting texts, messages, posts, or emails. See a life coach, and get a step-by-step guide to dealing with online stalking.

Tell someone.

Most experts agree: The first thing to do is tell an adult you trust. This is often easier said than done. People who are cyber-bullied may feel embarrassed or reluctant to report a bully. Some may hesitate because they're not 100% sure who is doing the bullying.

But bullying can get worse, so speak up, and find someone who can help.

Sometimes the police can track down an anonymous online bully, so it's often worthwhile to report it. In my case, I have a detective who is after my online harasser that won’t stop creating blogs and writing articles to detour my success into the ground. We can’t let these bullies get away with it. Report anything that’s causing you harm or depression from online harassment.

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