By: Renee Ruffin-Price
For: AL DIA TODAY
Although most of these articles provide information regarding children, adults encounter the same challenges when it comes to being bullied online or on their cellphones. Here are some tips on what to do: DO NOT RETALIATE. If you respond angrily, the one doing the bullying may feed off of that response and continue and even escalate. RECORD EVERYTHING. Keep evidence of all content (pictures, texts, emails, etc.) that the person has sent or posted about you. The evidence will be useful to build a case against the person.
Furthermore, CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT. If threats of physical harm are made, or if the cyberbullying starts to get more dangerous, make police reports of it. TALKING ABOUT IT to someone can be therapeutic. CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY. If you feel like damage has been done to your reputation, contact a lawyer and see what your options are. BLOCK THE PERSON WHO IS BULLYING YOU. Use the options within social media sites or apps to block the person. Also block through your phone’s Contact List features, or your cell phone provider or telephone company. CHANGE YOUR CONTACT INFO. Change your email, phone number, or online account completely. This would be a last resort, but it may be necessary to terminate the problem.
More details are available from the Source noted here: Citation information: Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2018). Responding to Cyberbullying: Top Ten Tips for Adults Who Are Being Harassed Online. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved on November 26, 2022, from https://cyberbullying.org/Responding-to-cyberbullying-top-ten-tips-for-adults.pdf . You can also text START to 741741 to chat 24/7 with a live, trained counselor at Crisis Text Line.
Article submitted to Al Dia Today on November 26, 2022, for the December issue by Renee’ Ruffin-Price, Community Advocate for Children