Back in the days we used to have bullies in school and everyone who has been a victim thought they will get a break when they finished school, only to find the internet, the one place they believed they will be free crawling with bullies as well. A lot of these bullies are also attention seekers, so the best way to deal with them is to not give them attention.
Below are some of the ways you can deal with cyber bullies.
1. Although it wouldn’t be easy to ignore, never respond to a bully. It is a natural response to want to defend you, and to put the person right. However, never argue with a bully; it’s not a mature adult discussion, but like dealing with a child or immature teenager; even though the bully is probably an adult on the outside, on the inside they are like a child who has never grown up and probably never will.
2. Keep all abusive emails. Create a new folder and move all messages from a bully there. You don’t have to read it. It may be useful when as your evidence when you decide to take legal action.
3. Get help. If you’re a young person, this is essential. Even mature experienced adults often cannot handle bullying and harassment by themselves. Sometimes you are dealing with a severely disordered and dangerous individual.
4. Become an observer. Although you may be the target of the cyber bully’s anger, you can train yourself to act as an observer. This takes you out of the firing line and enables you to study the perpetrator and collect evidence. When people use bullying behavior they project their own weaknesses, failings and shortcomings on to others. In other words, they are telling you about themselves by fabricating an accusation based on something they themselves have done wrong.
5. Decide if you want to take action, and if so, prepare carefully and strike hard. Sometimes refusing to respond and engage will result in the cyber bully losing interest and going off to find someone easier to torment. Sometimes though, especially if there has been interaction in the past, the cyber bully can be so obsessed that they cannot let go. You will have to make that person let go, but only through legal action, when the time is right. Do not deal with the abuser yourself; use a third party such as a solicitor.
