Fighting Back...
The Ugly Scene For Teens On Screen
In the brutal world of cyber bullying, anyone can become the victim and it’s hard to figure out who the bullies are. The bullies can be good, hard working students who rebel by being "bad". They can be cliques of mean girls seeking to snub an outsider. Or they can be smart, slightly nerdy boys who are seeking revenge. It often begins with otherwise nice kids who go online to have some "fun" at someone else's expense. But too often this "fun" leads to threatening attacks.
So how can you fight an enemy you don't know? What can you do to make her stop? Well, the first thing to realize is that someone who uses e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging or chat rooms to hurt another person is guilty of a horrible cowardly act. The brave thing to do to shut them down, even if it doesn't feel that way. If you or anybody you know is a victim of a cyberbully, consider the following suggestions.
1. As tempted as you might be, don't reply to the messages of a cyber bully. She wants to know you are worried and upset, that her evil is working. Don't give her that satisfaction. Also, your response will give her an opportunity to strike again. Without your feedback, the game loses its thrill. So take five. Walk away to do something you enjoy.
2. Save the evidence, don't delete or erase the messages. Don't read them if you don't want to, but keep a printed record. The header information will be helpful in tracking where it came from. You might need it to prove your case later on.
3. As embarrassed or scared as you might feel, please don't keep what's happening to yourself. Tell your parents or another adult. They will let your internet provider or your cell phone or your pager service know what's going on.
4. Realize by keeping a profile on your website, you become an easy target for bullies you know... and those you don't.
5. Remember that emails are not as private as you think. A message sent to a friend can be easily forwarded to others without your knowledge. It sounds harsh but never includes any information in an email that you wouldn't want everyone to see.
6. Google yourself to make sure your name isn't in any unwanted places. If it is, please tell an adult.
7. Harassment is a reason for stopping a person's online service. It's not "honest" or "funny" to hurt someone... ever... and defending yourself is a step closer to becoming the strong, smart, sensitive woman those who love you already see.
In brief, STOP, BLOCK, and TELL.
- Stop before you answer back. Then you won't be tempted to say something you'll regret.
- Block the sender. Then tell someone you trust about the message. Your parents, the parents of the harasser, school officials, even the police, are all there to help.
Info from BeingGirl.com
