Cyber Bullying

May 24, 2008 in Cyber Bullying by bullyfre

Texting on a keyboard phone

Image via Wikipedia

Bullying In Cyberworld

With the modern technology of today bullying has taken on a new form, cyber bullying. With pay as you go phones being easy and cheap to buy more and more children are falling victim to cyber bullying and its effects are just the same if not worse. Cyber bulling is mental abuse and can leave the victim in constant fear, bulling this way is usually done via text message and what is termed as prank calls where very often the caller will phone many times and not even speak.

Along with cell phones cyber bullies will also use home computers; more and more children now have access to computers with many now having them in their bedrooms. Here they are free to email their victims or use one of the popular instant messenger programs to victimize.

What you can do to combat cyber bullying

Never ignore cyber bullying in any form, be it text messaging, e-mail or prank calls to your phone. It is also important not to respond to bullies the way they want, never answer e-mails or text messages but do save them on your phone or computer. It is hard to trace text messages but e-mails have information in what is called headers which can be traced.

It can often be helpful if you keep a record of what its happening to you by keeping a journal of the attacks, be precise when keeping a record, if you know who the person or people are then record their names along with times and dates and what was said .Always remember the golden rule and never be tempted to reply in any shape or form to any messages, texts or emails that you are sent.

Be aware

Never underestimate the power of bullying this way, bullying in this form has the same consequences has any other form of bullying and should be taken just as seriously. Cyber bulling may start off as just the odd one or two text messages at first after a falling out with friends but it can quickly turn into something more sinister before you realize, this is why you should always be aware and start and keep records from the beginning.

Stay in control

Bullying is all about control, the bully wants to have a hold over you and keep you afraid so always stay in control of the situation and don’t let them think what their doing is affecting you. Nine times out of ten if the bullies don’t see results they will get fed up and leave you alone.

If the bully is sending you text messages in school or when you’re out with friends then very often they may be watching for your reaction when you receive them, try not to let them see the messages upset you just calmly put your phone away and pretend you don’t care.

Understand how the bullies mind works

Try to remember the bully can only be a bully if you let them; bullies thrive on power, the power of frightening people. If you don’t react to their threats then you take power away from them and they become nothing more than the weak cowardly person they really are.

Bullies are also attention seekers and need to feed from your reactions whatever your reaction might be, if they think they are bothering you then the bullying will continue if they don’t get any reaction from you they quickly tire.

What you can do to put a stop to the bullying

Cyber bullying is very similar to stalking and text messages are generally hard to trace, however if the bullying continues to the point where it starts to affect your health and you have kept records then your telephone service provider may be able to suggest ways of putting an end to it.

In serious cases contact the police they can often help particularly if you know who the person is, they might suggest that you bring harassment charges against the offenders or at the very least go and talk with them.

Above all talk with someone about what is happening to you, if you are a child then talk with your parents or teachers and shown them the evidence you have been keeping, always remember that you are not at fault and have nothing to feel guilty about and that bullying happens in many forms and to many people in many different ways.

Filed under: Cyber Bullying