CYBER-BULLYING

Bullying, or being bullied online, is no different to face-toface bullying. Bullying can happen online anywhere you can interact with others – on social media, through e-mail, chat rooms, gaming sites or messaging apps. In some cases, people feel more confident to post hurtful comments online because they can hide behind the internet or post ‘anonymously’. Sometimes bullies (also known as ‘trolls’) target people they know, other times it’s strangers. If you receive unwanted messages, be sure to:

■ Block abusers on social media or your phone.

■ Keep your personal details from those you don’t trust.

■ Adjust your privacy settings on social media to control who

THINK: WOULD I ACTUALLY SAY THIS TO SOMEONE’S FACE?

sees what.

■ If the situation persists, report it to the police.

Remember that if someone posts something online that you disagree with, just ignore it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Posting nasty stuff in the comments section is unnecessary. Think: “Would I actually say this to someone’s face?” While there isn’t a specific online-bullying law in the UK, some actions which involve threatening behaviour can be criminal ones.