What advise would you give to Young people who may be experiencing cyber bullying and explain how they could protect themselves?

1. Don't engage with the bully: The first piece of advice I would give to young people experiencing cyberbullying is to not engage with the bully. Responding to hurtful comments or messages can often escalate the situation and give the bully more power. Instead, it's best to ignore the bully and not give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

2. Block and report the bully: Another way to protect yourself from cyberbullying is to block and report the bully on the platform where the bullying is taking place. Most social media platforms have features that allow you to block or report users who are harassing you. By doing this, you can prevent the bully from contacting you further and potentially get them banned from the platform.

3. Talk to a trusted adult: It's important for young people experiencing cyberbullying to reach out to a trusted adult for support. This could be a parent, teacher, school counselor, or another trusted figure in their life. Adults can help provide guidance on how to handle the situation and offer emotional support during a difficult time.

4. Take a break from social media: If the cyberbullying is becoming overwhelming, it may be helpful for young people to take a break from social media altogether. This can give them a chance to step back from the situation, focus on their mental health, and come up with a plan for how to address the bullying when they're ready to return to the online world.

5. Practice self-care: Lastly, it's important for young people experiencing cyberbullying to prioritize self-care. This could involve engaging in activities that bring them joy, spending time with supportive friends and family members, or seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. Taking care of your mental and emotional well-being is crucial when dealing with cyberbullying.

Advise for Young People Experiencing Cyber Bullying

1. Don't Engage:

- Resist the temptation to respond or retaliate to hurtful messages.
- Blocking the bully on social media platforms and email can cut off communication.

2. Document the Bullying:

- Keep a record of all harassing messages, including screenshots and timestamps.
- This evidence can be used as proof to report the bully to authorities or school officials.

3. Seek Support:

- Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or counselor, about what you're going through.
- They can provide support, guidance, and help you develop coping mechanisms.

4. Report the Bully:

- Most social media platforms have policies against cyber bullying. Report the bully to the platform and request their account be taken down.
- You can also report the incident to law enforcement or your school administration.

5. Control Your Privacy:

- Review your social media settings to make sure your information is not publicly accessible.
- Limit who can message or friend you, and consider setting up a "privacy screen" on your phone to filter out unwanted messages.

6. Take Care of Yourself:

- Cyber bullying can take a toll on your mental health. Engage in activities that make you happy and help you manage stress, such as exercise, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing hobbies.
- Remember that you're not alone and that there are people who care about you and want to help.