STEPFAMILY ASSOCIATION

Many people go to chat rooms, interact in social media sites, send emails, etc., with the intent of making friends and having a good time. What happens, however, when you end up being bullied? Yes, you could just delete it, but if the bullies have your email address or phone number, they may keep bullying you. Here are tips to help stop cyber bullying.

Steps

1. If you started out as friends, read through all the messages you have sent them to see how it turned mean between you. Maybe you have become unfriendly to them without knowing it. There may still be a chance to sort it out. Reply to ask them if they still want to be friends and ask them to talk it out with you.
2. If they are not your friend, do not reply! Don't give them attention for being ugly. Just ignore them.
3. If they still continue, tell one of your friends, a trusted older person or teacher, as this will give you an outside perspective to support you.
4. If you can block the bully, then do it fast.
5. Don't delete the messages. Because if this continues, you will need proof to prove you are being cyber bullied. If they keep sending you messages, check whether they are using the same internet company. Phone the company up asking if they could give them a warning.
6. If all that fails, change your email address and/or cell phone number.

Tips

• Don't give them a reaction. That will only add oil to a fire.
• Don't reply to any emails/instant messenger or chatroom conversations from a bully/harasser.
• Be very careful of who you post your pictures, files, messages and attachments to. Anyone can see them and you never know where they can land and fall into the wrong hands (At work, your boss and IT staff can monitor and see everything)
• Don't assume a picture of someone is real. Remember some picture can be FAKE. E.g. A picture of a pretty blonde 17 year old girl could really be a man in his 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.
• Remember some people can lie - e.g., someone telling you that he/she is your friend or potential boyfriend/girlfriend could really be a pervert or abuser. Be very careful who you trust, you never know these days who is honest and who is a liar. So, be on your GUARD.
• If you get any emails/instant messenger or chatroom conversations from a bully/harasser, save them and print them off which can be used as evidence and show these to your parents and to the police. Remember bullying and harassment in this way IS A CRIME!
• You can copy and paste an email/instant messenger or chatroom conversation from a bully/harasser onto a Word Document.
• Always tell someone trustworthy. They can guide and support you. If you have doubts about what they tell you, try someone else.
• Make sure you have tried everything you can before changing your email.
• Be very careful who you give your email address, personal/private information to and NEVER give out personal/private information e.g. home address, telephone number, date of birth, name of school/work/college/university , anything about family business and any sensitive/confidential information and any information that can trace you and your family to anyone without permission from your parents/guardians/teacher/boss/person in charge.
• Always think how something might be used against you before you talk to anyone you don't know.
• If a bully/harasser bothers you on social networking sites, be it MSN, Instant Messenger, Bebo, Facebook, don't reply and go offline (if they persist, block them). Remember YOU are in control, don't let them win. Report them to the site administrator, copy and print their harassment and block them.

Warnings

• Remember cyberbullying/harassment is against the law because it is a form of abuse! It can seriously harm your well-being and has been linked to violence and suicide. Stop it before it hurts you!
• Always tell your parents, site administrators and/or the police - Don't let cyberbullies and harassers get away with it!
• Never keep secrets about serious things from your parents. Remember being open and being honest is always the best policy - unless it's your parents that are the problem. Then start checking out other adults, relatives, school personnel, ministers, etc., until you find someone good to get help from.
• Tell your friends and family before you change your email.