Dealing with the Cyberbully

Everyone knows when they put themselves out there that they are making themselves vulnerable to haters. Especially bloggers and vloggers. Most of these people hide behind their monitors and laptops waiting to strike at the next person who comes their way.

After posting our opinion and revealing the truth about a website called Manhood 101 as our first post on Romance in Harmony, this finally happened to me. I was all prepared for haters, don't get me wrong, but I thought they would at least use some more intelligent language. But Honestly whatever, call me what you want to, I can delete your comment if I deem it inappropriate, I will delete it.

However this got me thinking. Have you ever seen the movie Cyberbully directed by Charles Binamé? If not you can watch it on Netflix or on Youtube in parts. So many people put up with these comments and people hiding behind desks. What are you supposed to do when this is happening. Well here's what I think:

1. You can delete comments and flag things. Remember that, especially if it's on a blog. If you are blogging, change your moderation settings. If they attack you for not letting them comment, simply say you didn't feel it was something that was appropriate or needed to be said. There are also settings on social media sites that you can change as well as blocking people.

2. If it follows you to school don't back down. I'm not saying fight them, but realistically bullies will only ever pick on you if they think you are weak. I was bullied throughout middle school. It was hard, no one let up and instead of saying anything I just let it happen. When high school came around I was just sick of people picking on me. So when it started happening again I pushed back. I didn't cry in front of them, and when started calling me names I asked "why?". Now this person gave me a reason. She thought I had called her fat. I told her I didn't but she didn't believe me so she took things to the next level. she tried to push me against walls and lockers. I simply pushed back a bit (enough to not fall over) and walked on with my head held high. Eventually they realized I wasn't going to be picked on and they left me alone. But often if you ask why it will confuse them. Even if it's just before they cal you another name. Just ask what you did to them and offer to apologize. It sounds weird but it does work. Also, if they call you a name just say "thank you" and keep walking as you were. Don't let them see they are getting to you. By the way, I was never bullied after that by anyone.

3. If it comes down to it you could take down your profile or whatever, but you shouldn't have to. These things blow over. Eventually they will find a new person to make fun of and leave you alone. At the end of the day cyberbullies are too scared to show their faces so they take out how hurt they are on people who they deem easy targets.

If you are going through bullying, I hope this helps.
xoxo
Courtney