As technology advances and the digital sphere expands, cyberbullying has become an issue, especially with the increased number of internet users. Many people have been affected and are still affected by it and for this reason, it is expedient that we tackle cyberbullying in the most appropriate way. It's time to say "NO" to cyberbullying. However, how do we go about this? Let's run through some frequently asked questions on "Cyberbullying".

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying or online bullying is the use of digital technologies such as the internet and cellphones to make another person feel scared, embarrassed, ashamed, sad or angry, mostly on a repeated basis. Anyone can become a victim of cyberbullying but mostly cyberbullying is rampant among teenagers and young adults.

What are the examples of cyberbullying?

  • Sending hurtful texts or messages.
  • Spreading lies or mean rumours online.
  • Posting embarrassing photos and videos on social media.
  • Impersonating someone and sending mean messages primarily through fake accounts etc.

How do you tell that you're bullied online?

You can tell that you are bullied online when ill and untrue comments are said about you or when personal and embarrassing pictures and videos of you are posted online without your consent especially repeatedly with the aim of disgracing or defaming you. Most times, it can start as a joke but when you notice that the joke is getting out of hand and you feel hurt and laughed at, then it can be termed as "BULLYING".

What are the effects of cyberbullying?

The effects of cyberbullying can last for a very long time and can affect a person in several ways:

  • Emotionally: Cyberbullying can lead you to start losing interest in things you enjoy doing and also make you feel isolated from the people you love and trust.
  • Physically: You can start experiencing tiredness or lack of sleep. Also, you can experience symptoms like stomach aches and headaches.
  • Mentally: Cyberbullying can deal with one's mental health. The feeling of embarrassment, anger, and insecurity start creeping into the brain and this makes it difficult to speak up or try to deal with the problem. In some cases, cyberbullying can lead to people committing suicide.

How can one deal with Cyberbullying?

If you're being bullied online, there are steps you can take to deal with it. Among which are:

  • Seek help: You can seek help from a trusted adult or friend. You can also seek help from a professional counsellor.
  • Report: To stop online bullying, reporting it is key. You can always report directly on social media platforms. And if you want to go through the law, it's advisable you gather your evidence (screenshots of social media posts, saving of posted videos and pictures) because this will be helpful in putting the bully behind bars.
  • Stay offline for a while: If you are experiencing cyberbullying, it's advisable to take off the internet for a while not because you're a coward but to protect your sanity.
  • Learn about "Privacy settings" on all your social media platforms: Most social media platforms' privacy settings enable you to decide who can see your profile, send you messages, etc. You can also block who you don't want, report hurtful and mean messages and many more. You just have to learn and use these privacy settings.

   Conclusively, it should be known that everyone has a vital role to play in putting an end to cyberbullying. If there's anyone you know bullied online or even offline, let's raise our voice, call out the bullies and reach out to the proper authorities. Dear readers, we need to create more awareness of cyberbullying. It's about time we say "NO" to cyberbullying.

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