Category: cyber-bullying

facts about cyber-bullies psychology

Facts About Cyber-Bullies: 7 Must-Know Truths No One Will Tell You

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Know the facts about cyber-bullies? Here are all the truths about these cyber-creeps you need to know.

facts about cyber-bullies

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Cyber-bullies don’t only hide their faces; they hide many more truths about themselves that the public needs to know.

Therefore, in this post, you will learn all the facts about cyber-bullies so that when they attack you, your self-esteem won’t take such a big hit.

Once you learn all about these crucial truths, you will be able to maintain your confidence the next time some internet creep selects you as their victim.

This post will give you all the facts about cyber-bullies so that you can stay strong when they attack. At the end of the post, we will also discuss what you can do if you’re cyber-bullied so that you can make them go away and have peace of mind.

Facts About Cyber-Bullies

Cyber-bullies bully through electronics, such as smartphones, computers, and the internet. The tactics include sending you mean private messages and posting negative content about you on social media.

They also use other tactics, including sending you harassing text messages, creating embarrassing memes about you, or posting humiliating photos of you without your consent.

So, let’s put these creeps on blast and list the truth about them they don’t want you to know.

1. They Don’t have the guts to say it to your face.

You can either take a stand, or you won’t. Cyber-bullies are the biggest, most pathetic cowards of all.

If you’ve ever dealt with a cyber-bully, I know how you feel. Words do have power, and it’s easy to be hurt when anyone attacks you, online or off.

I, too, used to get upset when I’d look at my instant messages and find that some idiot had sent me a flamer.

However, today, I’ve learned to see cyber-bullies for who they are. And that in itself can be a real boost to self-esteem.

Because cyber-bullies often use a fake profile or screen name. Also, they display a fake or blank photo to hide their identity.

Therefore, it only goes to show that they’re faceless cowards. And you shouldn’t take them seriously.

These losers talk so big and tough behind that keyboard- oh, yeah! They’re real badasses online. But you can bet that if they ever saw you on the street, they wouldn’t have the sack to step up.

Facts about Cyber-Bullies:

2. They live miserable lives.

Most cyber-bullies are losers in real life. They sit in the safety of their mom’s basements, attics, and backyard sheds. These keyboard cowboys bang on their computers all day while eating Hot Pockets.

Moreover, they hide behind fake profiles and screen names, trolling the internet and social media in search of victims.

So, when I think of the term “cyber-bully,” I instantly get a mental picture of one of two types of people:

  • Some broke, unemployed, and shirtless fat guy sitting and typing on a computer in his granny’s basement. He’s stuffing his face with Cheetos and sporting a man-bun.
  • A skinny, pimple-faced, bespectacled geek who could be a candidate for a “Revenge of the Nerds” reboot. This guy trolls people to compensate for having no friends and being unable to get laid, let alone a date.

Occasionally, I still deal with cyberbullies. When I do, one of those pathetic pictures immediately pops up in my mind. And I can’t help but chuckle to myself.

So, seriously! Should you give a rip what these losers think?

3. Most Cyber-Bullies are jobless.

It takes a real zero to spend even a few hours a day trolling other users. You see, most people have jobs, bills to pay, families to take care of – you know, a life. 

They don’t have time to play these kinds of games online with people they don’t know. They’re too busy. In fact, most people don’t care about you. They don’t care what’s going on in your life.

They have their own problems to deal with. And they have their own business to attend to.

Understand that when you’re cyber-bullied, you’re probably dealing with some poor soul who is unemployed. Why? Because if they had a job, they wouldn’t have time to troll you.

Facts about Cyber-Bullies:

4. Most cyber-bullies are lonely.

Most people also have loved ones. They also have spouses and families to spend quality time with. Also, they have friends they like to hang out with.

On the other hand, most trolls are bored, lonely, and miserable. The only way they can feel good about themselves is to do what they’re doing now.

Most serial cyber-bullies have no spouses or exclusive partners. Therefore, the only way they find meaning in their lives is to start keyboard wars with other users.

Trust me, it could be worse. You could be them.

5. Most cyber-bullies are incels.

It’s true. Most cyber-trolls couldn’t get laid if they paid for it. This is often the case with males who harass women online. And they usually do it because they’re angry.

They may also cyberbully luckier men. So, the next time someone bullies you online with ugly names and insults, consider the source.

Facts about Cyber-Bullies:

6. Most cyber-bullies are unattractive.

Look at the Super-Mario-looking guy in the picture above. Ever wonder why they don’t post a pic of themselves on their profile?

I’ve found that it’s not only because they fear being exposed. It’s also because they’re ashamed of the way they look.

And you know what? Most of them should be. A few years ago, I actually busted a few of the cyber-bullies who targeted me.

Now, I’m no beauty queen myself. Most of us aren’t when we’re in our fifties.

But let me tell ya! When I traced them through their email, I discovered that they were quite homely. Let’s say that they had faces only a mother would love.

7. They can be Traced.

These cyberbullies bullied me via my old blog. What they didn’t realize was that when a commenter posts, WordPress provides you with their email addresses.

This is in case you want to add them to your email list. Now, some of them had pictures of Disney characters as their email pics. Others had selfies, and again, they were not easy on the eyes.

Nevertheless, I managed to trace them. I took screenshots and exposed them. And that’s what stopped the harassment. Be aware that it isn’t as easy to trace them on social media.

Google and the police can also trace cyberbullies. Therefore, they should be mindful of that when they post.

Facts about Cyber-bullies:

What You can Do

Our first instinct is always to defend ourselves and our loved ones when attacked. Therefore, if you react to a cyber-bully, I understand.

However, just because it’s understandable doesn’t mean it’s the wise thing to do. Remember that cyber-bullies are looking for a reaction. Don’t give it to them.

Instead, use the SBRE method: Screenshot, Block, Report, Expose!

The SBRE Method

For this tactic to work best, please follow the steps in the exact order.

1. Screenshot.

Gather the receipts! You expose them by taking screenshots of their profiles and of the nasty messages they send you. Screenshot every message or vile comment.

Also, screenshot every cruel meme. In short, screenshot everything. Later, you’ll plaster them all over the internet. But not yet. Save them for the last step.

You can delete the incendiary posts or comments, but take screenshots of them first. Then store them in a folder and a flash drive.

Facts about Cyber-Bullies:

2. BLOCK.

If the cyberbullies happen to be on your friends or follower lists, you don’t need them in your life or stalking your page. Get rid of them!

Also, the sooner you block the creeps, the less likely they are to send you a virus or get access to any sensitive information.

Therefore, after you get all the screenshots you need (only you can judge whether you have enough evidence), block them.

3. Report.

Report the cyberbullies to the social media outlet. Every social media entity has this option. Use it. They may or may not do anything about it.

However, when you report it, you will still create a record. Once you report the person, take a screenshot of your report and the response you get from the social media outlet.

4. expose.

Remember that a cyberbully’s worst fear is you exposing them. Make their worst fears come true. Expose them by plastering the screenshots all over the internet.

You are doing this not only to protect your reputation but also to protect yourself. Moreover, you expose the cyberbullies to protect others from being trolled by them.

And trust me! Other users will thank you for it!

This bears repeating! Always take screenshots and save any evidence of online bullying. Why? Because you never know when you might need it for litigation.

If by chance, you find the true identities of your cyberbullies, you can more successfully sue them.

Understand that this may take a little bit of work. However, it’ll be worth it in the long run.

Facts about Cyber-Bullies:

In Conclusion

When you encounter a cyber-bully, you need to ask yourself these questions:

  • Should I take these wusses so seriously?
  • Should I give these worthless schmucks the power to make me feel bad about myself?
  • Should I value their useless opinions?

I can’t speak for anyone else. However, I find it hard to value opinions from people without a name or face.

They may be a Rambo in cyberspace. However, they’re probably a George McFly on the street. Therefore, you can only take these kinds of people with a grain of salt.

Don’t put too much stock in their opinions. Their words don’t carry any weight.

Understand that cyber-bullies are often people who flame others because they have nothing going for them. Online is the only way these pathetic losers can have a social life.

That alone speaks volumes. So, again, are they worth getting angry or depressed over? These idiots can’t make you feel bad about yourself unless you let them.

This post gave you all the facts about cyber-bullies so that you can continue feeling good about yourself, knowing that you aren’t miserable like they are.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Cyberbullying Tactics: 9 Common Tricks of Cyber-Bullies and Trolls

2. Effects of Cyberbullying: 15 Negative Impacts on Victims

3. Bullying on Social Media: 5 Reasons Why People Do It

4. Bullies are Cowards: Why Targets are the Brave Ones

5. Bullying Characteristics: 10 Bullying Behaviors to Be Aware of

effects of cyberbullying on mental health

Effects of Cyberbullying: 15 Negative Impacts on Victims

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‘Want to know the effects of cyberbullying and what it does to victims? Here are all the harmful impacts so that you can take steps to protect yourself from cyberbullies.

effects of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can be more devastating than face-to-face bullying. Why? Because the bullying posts are seen by a much wider audience. Moreover, cyberbullying is much harder to get away from than in-person bullying.

Therefore, in this post, you will learn all the effects of cyberbullying and the damage it does to your mental health.

Once you learn all about these negative impacts, you will take steps to protect yourself against this sinister form of bullying.

In this post, you will learn all the effects of cyberbullying. Moreover, this information will motivate you to take the appropriate measures to guard yourself against it.

Effects of Cyberbullying

I’m fortunate enough to have grown up in a time when cyber-bullying was unheard of. Therefore, when I was in school, “Street Bullying” or “Playground Bullying” was the type of bullying my generation endured.

“Street Bullying” happens face to face. It happens on the playground, in the hallways, the bathrooms, and locker rooms at school.

Years ago, a student could escape it and have some form of refuge once the dismissal bell rang, and school was over for the day. Moreover, when it got too much to endure, the target simply changed schools, and the problem was solved.

Sadly, those days are long gone. With today’s technology, bullies have unlimited access to their targets by way of “Cyber-bullying.”

During the last twenty-five years, technology’s advancement has introduced email, text, and social media. These new vehicles of communication have their benefits. However, they also have their pitfalls.

Consequently, a bully can nowadays get online and torment their targets for as long as they want. And they can do it without ceasing nor accountability.

They can, in essence, reach into the victim’s own home and torment them from afar.

Cyber-bullying, or online bullying, is bullying of another person using social media, text messages, voice mail, email, and instant messages. It is, in my opinion, the worst kind of bullying there has ever been.

So, lets get right into it.

What are all the negative effects of cyberbullying on victims and what can they do to overcome?

1. Fear

Cyberbullying causes intense fear. Victims fear that their good name will be tarnished. They may be afraid that the online vitriol may cause loss of business, job opportunities, or destruction of their marriage.

Moreover, they may fear that the cyberbully might show up at their house to do bodily harm to them. There are so many reasons this kind of harassment causes fear.

2. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Social Isolation

Cyberbullying has brought about loss of friendships and social standing in a community. It’s too easy for online trolls to get online and spread false rumors and lies about a victim.

Therefore, many people suffer social isolation and it doesn’t matter whether the persecution is undeserved or not.

3. Shame

Cyberbullying can cause toxic shame. And this shame is mostly misplaced. However, we’re all human. Therefore, we often fall into the psychological traps of cyberbullies.

4. Anxiety

Being cyberbullied can make you anxious and rightfully so. Again, this insidious type of bullying has been the downfall of many good marriages and highly successful businesses. Therefore, is it any wonder that victims suffer anxiety?

Online bullying has destroyed entire livelihoods. Moreover, it has even caused many physical attacks and murders.

5. Loss of confidence and self-esteem

As with any form of bullying, cyberbullying can wreck your confidence and obliterate your self-esteem. Therefore, it takes dogged determination not to let it destroy you.

The best you can do is to constantly remind yourself that you aren’t the person your cyberbully is trying to paint you as. Moreover, tell yourself that you aren’t guilty of whatever lies they’ve posted about you.

It won’t be easy. However, it will give you the drive to move forward even if you have to crawl through each day until things improve.

6. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Emotional and physical harm

On the emotional side, the target may experience feelings of shock, bewilderment, anger, sadness, despair, depression, hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide.

Traditional bullying is terrible and causes those feelings as well. However, it is something that you can get away from.

On the other hand, you can never escape cyber-bullying. This alone is what makes this type of bullying so devastating!

What’s even worse is what this kind of bullying does to children! In fact, cyber-bullying can be stressful enough for adults but devastating for minors.

Adults are emotionally better equipped and more adept at handling themselves in bullying situations. Whereas, children and teens have yet to fully develop good coping mechanisms.

Moreover, children do not have the cognitive thinking skills nor the processing ability that adults possess. Adults can be hurt by online bullying because they are human and have feelings also.

However, any well-rounded adult can look at the situation and see the lies posted online for what they are. Also, they have the ability to analyze the bully and see the person as they are- useless trash who needs to get a life.

That in itself can actually boost the bullied adult’s self-esteem. Just the knowing what a bottom-of-the-barrel, miserable piece of garbage the bully really is can be a huge buffer.

In most cases, an adult can usually laugh it off and go on about their business, provided it doesn’t affect their family, marriage, business, opportunities, or way of life. Moreover, an adult can refuse to accept another bullying adult’s lies and tell them to go blow it out their ear.

Children, however, are still developing and don’t have the capacity yet to do that.

7. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Loss of concentration

Who can concentrate on schoolwork or job projects when cyberbullies have libeled and slandered them, their families, or businesses? When you’re constantly having to think up ways to repair the damage cyberbullies have caused you, it doesn’t leave room for you to think about your work.

This can cause loss of productivity and is only another way that cyberbullying causes your job or studies to suffer.

8. Loss of sleep

The stress that results from cyberbullying can be overwhelming. Moreover, it can disrupt your sleep cycle if you don’t know the right relaxation techniques.

Any time you’re under enormous stress, your adrenaline is working overtime. Therefore, your body is in survival mode. And when you’re in survival mode, you won’t be able to sleep.  Why?

Because, back in prehistoric times, those survival hormones helped humans escape lions, tigers, and bears with their lives. And when you’re running from a ferocious animal, the last thing you want to do is fall asleep. Therefore, your body secretes these hormones to keep you awake, aware, and alert.

It’s the same today, only we’re not running from wild animals. We’re trying to maintain our jobs and businesses so that we can feed our families. Also, we’re trying to maintain our good reputations so that we’ll have job and educational opportunities in other to feed ourselves and our families.

Therefore, this is how we survive today.

9. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Learning difficulties

This is a close sister to number 7, loss of concentration. In fact, it is a direct result of it. Who can learn anytime when they can’t concentrate on their lessons?

Somewhere, a cyberbully is stressing them out and causing them to have to concentrate more on keeping their reputation intact. Consequently, victims of cyberbullying often have grades that plummet or poor work performance.

10. Reputational harm

This goes without saying. Victims of cyberbullying suffer much reputational damage. As a result, they suffer loss of business, friendships, marriages, even family!

Cyberbullying can strip you of everything you’ve worked hard for years to build. Moreover, the mere prospect of that is terrifying!

11. Lose of job, career or business

Victims of cyberbullying have been unjustly fired from their jobs and have even lost their entire careers because some creep behind a computer screen spread lies and rumors about them.

Moreover, cyberbullying has also been the downfall of many thriving and successful businesses. This is why you must take steps to manage your reputation if you ever fall victim to such evil.

Fortunately, there are many reputation management companies you can contact. However, be ready to pay a pretty penny for their services. Reputation management isn’t cheap!

12. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Destruction of marriage

Many marriages and families have been destroyed by cyberbullies. In most cases, cyberbullies get online and claim to have seen you stepping out with another partner behind your spouse’s back.

Your spouse gets online and runs across the post. And the next thing you know, you’ve landed in divorce court. Even worse, you’re battling for custody of your children.

Understand that this has happened to many people. Cyberbullies are the most evil monsters there is. Why? Because they don’t have to kill you physically. They can kill your home life and public life. Therefore, killing you emotionally and psychologically.

13. Discord in the family

Along with destruction of marriage comes family discord. Thus, cyberbullying sets off a vicious chain reaction that devastates the lives of innocent victims every day!

14. Thoughts of suicide

The effects of cyberbullying are so severe that many victims have contemplated suicide. However, many have recovered and rebuilt their lives.

Therefore, if a cyberbully has put a dent in your life, don’t take it lying down. Know that, though it may take a while, you can recover and rebuild what you’ve lost.

15. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Suicide

Cyberbullies have completely ruined the lives of many victims. In other words, people have lost their marriages, families, businesses, their entire livelihoods.

Therefore, cyberbullies have driven many people to suicide. Because these victims feel they’ve lost everything, they don’t feel they can go on living.

Moreover, these are people who would otherwise still be here if the online bullying hadn’t happened.

Why is cyberbullying the worst kind of bullying?

1.It gives online bullies anonymity.

Bullies are COWARDS! Therefore, your attackers may hide behind a fake screen name. Moreover, they often create fake social media accounts to conceal their identities.

Understand that they do this to avoid detection and the risk of accountability for their evil actions.

Nevertheless, with a cyberbully, you do not know who is attacking you. They often use several different screen names to make it look like many people are attacking you.

However, it might be only one poster doing the bullying online.

The trick is to see through this. Therefore, realize that your bully is doing this to further intimidate you. Why? Because bullies in large numbers is scarier than only one bully.

2. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Online bullying is harder to get away from than bullying that is face-to-face.

Gone are the days when bullying only occurred on the playground or in the locker room. Before technology took off, you could finally escape your tormentors with the ringing of the dismissal bell at school or after punching out at work..

Moreover, back then, you could go home to your family and not have to worry about being bullied again until the next school day. You could, at least, get a break from the torment.

However, not so anymore. Technology has a lot of good qualities, one of which is convenience. Unfortunately, nothing is 100% foolproof.

With the rise of social media, text, voice mail, and email, bullies can now pursue their targets 24-7. There is no longer an escape!

3. Cyberbullying has a much farther audience-reach.

In other words, a much wider audience can read the taunts, insults, threats, rumors, and lies. This is why this form of bullying causes loss of relationships, family, friends, businesses, finances, and opportunities.

Effects of Cyberbullying:

What can you do if you fall victim to a cyberbully?

If you are a cyber-bullying victim, you mustn’t respond to the incendiary posts of cyber-bullies, no matter how tempting it may be. However, I realize that some attacks, especially those, which hit you in the jugular, can cause you to respond out of emotion.

Know that this does not mean that you are a bad person for responding to attacks. It does not mean that you are foolish It only means that you are a human being with feelings.

Our first instinct is always to defend ourselves and our loved ones when threatened. Therefore, it’s completely understandable.

However, cyberbullies want to kick you while you are already down and inflict even more pain. Moreover, if you respond in any way, shape, or form, they will know that they have reached their goal. Also, they’ll only gaslight you.

On the other hand, if they never hear from you, it’s going to disappoint them. As a result, they just might give up and move on to someone else.

So, again, no matter our circumstances, we must try to never respond to the ignorance and stupidity of bullies or cyber-bullies. As difficult as this may be, it is better to never give internet trolls what they want.

And what they want is a response, any response.

4. Effects of Cyberbullying:

Instead of responding, out them! Take screenshots and expose them!

Cyber-bullying can happen to people of any age. Not only children and teens, but adults can also be cyber-bullied.

Although I have gotten along with mostly everyone as an adult, there have been a few times I crossed paths with a cyberbully. Once instance occurred right after the death of my late husband.

Therefore, I can tell you that after refusing to respond to any of it, the harassment died, and the thread was eventually removed.

Moreover, in their weak attempts to put me down, my cyber-bullies unwittingly made me so many new friends. I received so much support from all over the country.

It is amazing how the actions of a bully can sometimes turn into something wonderful. However, this, sadly, isn’t the outcome that most victims of cyberbullying end up with.

I will be forever grateful to the people (even strangers) who stood beside me during this tragic time. I hope this helps you if you are cyber-attacked. And I want to assure you that there is always hope, no matter how hopeless things may look.

What can you do if your child or grandchild falls victim to a cyberbully?

Children and teenagers have totally different values than adults. While most “mature” adults place the most value on family, career, and home and less value on popularity, children and teens place the most value on popularity.

In other words, they most value their friends and being accepted. Most children and teens place emphasis on how others (mainly their peers) see them.

They want to fit in, be liked, and be “cool.” And when those things are threatened, as they always are when they’re cyber-attacked, it can have devastating effects on self-esteem.

Therefore, as parents and grandparents, we need to teach our children confidence. Why? Because confidence is the best weapon against a bully. In fact, it’s your first line of defense against bullying.

In my opinion, teaching confidence is the most effective way to protect them. Understand taht bullies are cowards, and they always seek out kids who are insecure, self-conscious and have low self-esteem.

Moreover, they do this because they know that a child with low self-esteem is less likely to stand up to them.

So, teach the children in your life confidence. It will be the best thing you ever do for them!

This post was all about the effects of cyberbullying so that you’ll be prompted to take steps not only to protect your family, job, business and reputation, but also your confidence and self-esteem.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Cyberbullying Tactics: 9 Common Tricks of Cyber-Bullies and Trolls

2. Bullying on Social Media: 5 Reasons Why People Do It

3. Smear Campaigns: 4 Tactics Bullies Use to Sully Your Reputation

4. The Effects of Bullying: 17 Negative Results on Victims

5. Bullying and Self Confidence: 7 Steps to Keeping Your Confidence Up When People Bully You

bullying on social media articles

Bullying on Social Media: 5 Reasons Why People Do It

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Want to know exactly why people participate in bullying on social media? Here are the 5 most common motives.

bullying on social media

Photo from Canva

Bullying on social media can be more humiliating and more devastating for victims than face-to-face bullying. Why? Because a much wider audience can read the cruel taunts and attacks. Moreover, vicious lies and ugly rumors have a much farther reach than in the days before the internet.

In this post, you will learn the most common reasons people use social media to bully. In other words, you’ll learn the goals of this type of bullying.

Once you learn all about these objectives, you will be better able to call it out. Also, you’ll have the ability to explain it to police, attorneys, the court, and therapists in a clearer, more intelligible manner without the risk of rambling and having to pause mid-sentence to search for the words to describe what you’re enduring.

This post is all about social media bullying, why people do it, and what they hope to gain so that you can have a better understanding of it all and quickly call it out.

Bullying on Social Media

This type of cyber-bullying is difficult for anyone. However, it’s especially damaging for children and teenagers, whose brains are still developing.

Sadly, many in this age group rely on likes, positive comments, praise, and high friend/follower counts to maintain their self-esteem. It shouldn’t be this way. No one should rely on social media to feel validated.

We live in the age of electronic babysitters and internet addiction. Moreover, we have a generation of children and young adults who rely more on online communication than on face-to-face interactions.

This, in and of itself, is a huge problem. However, it’s the reality of the times we live in.

Also, if you’re an adult who owns a business, especially a small business, this type of bullying can decimate your entire livelihood.

Therefore, the main reason people bully you on social media is to destroy your online and real-life reputation. This is the main goal of all cyber-bullies.

Effects of Bullying on Social Media

Marriage and Family:

Many people will use social media to destroy your marriage and cause discord in your family.

Causes many divorces and rifts in families. Cyber-bullies have been known to spread lies of infidelity to destroy their target’s marriage and cause problems in their families. Moreover, online harassers have also stalked their victims’ children and other family members.

People are sick these days. Therefore, you must gather evidence of it and report it to the police. Although there’s only so much the law can do, by reporting it, at least you’ll establish a paper trail.

Job and Career:

Many use social media bullying to destroy your job and career.

Can cause termination of employment from current job. Moreover, it can lead to a loss of opportunities for future employment.

Cyber-bullies love to call their targets’ places of employment and get them terminated. Also, they love to blackball them to keep them from obtaining future employment.

You should never take this type of bullying lightly. Do your own investigation and gather your own evidence. Now’s not the time to be lazy.

Bullying on social media can destroy your finances:

This kind of bullying causes income loss due to being fired and a lack of future employment opportunities. Therefore, it can also cause victims to lose their homes, vehicles, entire life savings, etc.

Therefore, if you have evidence of this kind of cyber-bullying and can ID the troll, talk to an attorney. You might be able to sue for damages.

Business:

Loss of customers and therefore, revenue. Cyber-trolls love to destroy businesses. Therefore, realize that it’s about power.

Again, if you have evidence and identification of the cyber-bully, consult a lawyer and take it to court.

Health:

The stress from bullying on social media can cause not only mental health issues, but also physical ailments as well. Victims can also become disabled and unable to work because of the distress brought about by this type of online bullying.

Examples:

Examples of social media bullying include:

1. Spreading ugly rumors and lies about someone.

Cyber-bullies do this in hopes of defaming you and turning your friends and followers against you. Moreover, if you own a small company, they’ll do it to put a dent in profits and destroy your business and livelihood.

This type of bullying has caused many innocent people to lose their hard-earned reputations and, therefore, their businesses.

Additionally, cyber-bullies have ruined victims’ marriages by spreading lies and accusations of infidelity. In that, they caused division in families.

In short, many innocent targets have had their entire lives ruined due to cyber-bullies. Many more have died by suicide or have been murdered because of the vicious lies and cruelty of online trolls.

2. Bullying on Social Media:

Posting porn or compromising photos of someone

Online bullies do this to embarrass and humiliate their victims. Moreover, they also do it to make them look bad and sully their good name.

For example, classmates may sneak into the gym shower room and secretly take nude pictures of a targeted girl while she’s in the shower. They do this without her knowledge.

Later, they’ll post the pictures online for all to see.

Consequently, not only does this humiliate her, but it puts her in danger of being stalked and possibly raped by predators in the area.

Here’s another example: You have a lover who talks you into sending them nude pics of you and, without thinking, you comply. After all, you’re only thinking it would enhance your relationship. Right?

However, what happens a few months later, when the relationship ends and you part on bad terms? Remember, your ex still has all those nudie pics and beaver shots you sent six months ago. Moreover, your now ex-lover posts them online to get back at you for breaking it off with them.

Therefore, never send a romantic partner nude pics of yourself. It doesn’t matter how much they beg and say they love you and that they would never do this or that. Don’t do it! It just isn’t worth the risk!

3. Impersonating someone AND sending cruel messages to others in that person’s name.

Cyber-bullies do this to cause trouble in all your online relationships. In fact, this is a form of relational or social aggression because it’s specifically designed to destroy your relationships and to isolate you.

Therefore, if you endure bullying on social media, keep an eye out for any duplicate accounts with your name and claiming to be you. If you find some, send a disclaimer to all your friends/followers, warning them of the duplicates and to not accept friend/follow requests from them.

Moreover, taking screenshots is super important! So, gather your own evidence!

4. Bullying on Social Media:

Sending Cruel, threatening, or abusive messages/images through private message platforms, text, email, etc.

This tactic is designed to intimidate you and instill fear. Moreover, these bullies choose messaging platforms for secrecy and to keep others from seeing what lowlifes they truly are.

Therefore, take screenshots! Always take screenshots when a cyber-bully attacks you via messaging. Then out them with it. It’s what I did when it happened to me, and it worked. They left me alone.

5. Doxxing.

Doxxing is the most dangerous kind of cyber-bullying there is. What is it? You may ask.

When a cyber-bully doxxes you, they collect personal information on you and plaster it all over the internet. Moreover, the information they gather is your home address, phone number, email, and the names and addresses of your family members, friends, and associates.

Doxxers can even get your SS number and banking information to steal your identity.

They also find the name, address, and phone number of your employer and any organization you’re affiliated with.

This is especially dangerous because it puts you at risk of being home invaded, robbed, or murdered. Someone could even target one of your family members to get to you.

It creates risks that wouldn’t exist if your information hadn’t fallen into the wrong hands.

Therefore, people dox you to get your personal information and exploit it to cause you fear. Moreover, they may do it to place you and your family in harm’s way.

It’s best to contact police in situations like these. It may or may not work. However, you’ll have a report of it on file, which is a good step!

Bullying On Social Media:

In conclusion

Reality TV stars also bully each other on social media and face-to-face. Therefore, it sets a bad example for others to follow.

One thing that bullying online has over face-to-face bullying is that you can gather evidence of it easily. Anything done online automatically leaves a digital footprint.

Also, you can take screenshots and print hard copies of any incendiary messages and comments to take to court.

Face-to-face bullying can’t be proven unless you keep documentation of it in a journal, wear a hidden body camera, or hide an audio-recording device in your purse, briefcase, or book bag.

However, this can be illegal depending on the laws of your state. Therefore, before using any recording device, whether a body cam or an audio device, be sure to get up to speed on the law. The last thing you want is for your bullies to sue you for invasion of privacy.

If you keep documentation of bullying incidents, please use the 5W’s method.

This post is all about bullying on social media and the reasons why people do it so that you can better pinpoint, report, and explain it when it happens to you.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Cyberbullying Tactics: 9 Common Tricks of Cyber-Bullies and Trolls

2. Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn: 4 Stress Responses of Bullying Victims

3. Stop Victim Blaming: 8 Reasons People Blame Targets for Bullying

4. Bullying is Abuse: 9 Ways Bullying and Abuse are The Same

5. Social Bullying Examples: 7 Reasons Bullies Destroy Relationships

cyberbullying tactics

Cyberbullying Tactics: 9 Common Tricks of Cyber-Bullies and Trolls

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cyberbullying tactics

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Do you want to know all the cyberbullying tactics so that you can better protect yourself against cyberbullies?

Cyberbullying can be bullying of the most devastating kind and for anyone of any age. It’s the same for children, teens, and adults alike.

If you’re a victim of this insidious form of bullying, you are doing all the research you can to find out all the cyberbullying tactics.

As someone who’s been there myself, I’m giving you the seven most-used cyberbullying tactics you need to be aware of.

You are going to learn all the tactics cyberbullies use.

After you learn about all the most-used cyberbullying tactics, you will be wise to cyberbullies and will be better able to protect yourself against them. Moreover, you will also be able to gather your own evidence against them and get rid of them once and for all.

This post is all about the cyberbullying tactics cyberbullies use to help you gather your evidence, stand against them, and overcome cyberbullies and internet trolls.

Cyberbullying Tactics

Before we go any further, let’s explore what cyberbullying is and how it negatively affects lives.

Cyberbullying is the most malicious and dangerous form of bullying there is. This is because a much wider audience sees the attacks.

And there’s also a higher degree of anonymity. Cyberbullies are cowards. And they hide behind fake screen names and profiles to avoid exposure.

Here are the 9 most common cyberbullying tactics:

1. Flaming: Inboxing you with a barrage of insidious messages.

Again, cyberbullies fear that people will see them for the sick creeps they are. So, they use your private message inbox to send you mean messages.

If you delete the person from your friends’ list, they can still flame you through the inbox.

Many cyberbullies are foolish. They think you will be so emotional that you won’t think to take screenshots of the messages.

Therefore, they’ll continue to do so until you address the situation. And I will show you how to do that later in this post.

However, here’s something you must NEVER do:

Don’t react.

Never react to cyberbullying by sending evil messages of your own. In other words, don’t call the cyberbullies names even if they start name-calling you.

Do not react by cursing the cyberbully out. And don’t use all caps. This is read as yelling.

Why? Because the cyberbullies will only use it against you. Remember, they want you to react so they can flip the script and make you look like the troll. Don’t give them that opportunity!

Therefore, the best response is either no response at all or an intelligent response. Here are the best responses you can use.

  • “You seem so angry.”
  • “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
  • “I feel sorry for you.”

These responses are perfect because you aren’t taking the blame for their behavior. Also, it doesn’t make you sound like you’re bullying anyone.

Cyberbullying Tactics:

2. Cyberbullies will tag you in a post, then claim you’re stalking their page.

This happened to me once. Although this is rather obvious, this tactic is used by clueless and maybe drunk cyberbullies.

Therefore, screenshot this. In fact, screenshot everything.

3. They rally their friends to troll your page.

Once you hit the “Block” button, watch for an influx of friend requests from people you don’t know.

You may also get them from people who otherwise wouldn’t, like sworn enemies and those who dislike you.

This almost always happens just after you’ve blocked a cyberbully.

4. Cyberbullies will troll the pages of your spouse, family, and friends.

 They do this to seek and gather information about you and those you’re closest to. They then use it as ammunition to defame you or make fun of you. Moreover, they may even attack those you love.

Cyberbullies who are mentally sick and dangerous will use this tactic. Don’t let this scare you, but be concerned.

Cyberbullying Tactics:

5. Creating hurtful, degrading, and humiliating memes of you.

Cyberbullies do this to embarrass you and to bait others to harass you. Again, screenshot this.

6. They insert images of porn and other disgusting materials on your timeline.

And they may have other people do it for them. Cyberbullies do this to cause you embarrassment. Moreover, they do it hoping that others will see it and think you’re some kind of pervert.

In most cases, this doesn’t work. However, you must still make screenshots. This is how you do your own investigation and gather your own evidence.

7. Cyberbullies will copy your profile photo and create fake accounts, claiming to be you.

Once they do this, they send requests to all your family and friends to lure them into accepting. If they accept, the cyberbully then sends them deplorable messages.

Or they may tag them and post flaming or lewd posts to their timelines. The reason they do this is to cause friction between you and the people you care about.

Therefore, you must warn your family and friends that you’re being cyberbullied. Tell them that if they get any friend requests from you, they aren’t from you. This is so important!

Sadly, there isn’t much anyone can do legally. Until better technology is introduced to track down these bullies, you have to do your own investigation.

Moreover, cyberbullying will continue to be a problem until more robust laws are passed.

Cyberbullying Tactics:

8. lies and accusations

Cyberbullies will also post lies and accusations about you on social media. Or they may go to a public forum.

Again, they do it to sully your reputation and cause you to lose opportunities. Moreover, if you own a business, your profits could take a huge hit.

Understand that this is a way for cyberbullies to cause you to become a victim of cancel culture. And it has ruined many lives and families.

I can’t stress the importance of gathering your own evidence. This is not the time to be lazy!

9. They dox you.

Doxxing is when cyberbullies gather your personal information. They can get access to your street address, phone number, email, and worse, your driver’s license and banking information.

Other information they may access is where you work, where your children go to school, and who your parents are. And they can also get your family members’ addresses.

Scary, isn’t it?

Next, they will post it all online. They may even plaster it on the dark web. This can leave you vulnerable to identity theft.

Doxxing is the most dangerous form of cyberbullying there is!

Cyberbullying Tactics:

Here are the best ways to bust a cyberbully.

I always use a method I call the SBRE method: Screenshot, Block, Report, Expose!

For this method to work best, you must follow this exact order!

1. Screenshot.

Out them! Expose them by taking screenshots of their profiles and of the nasty messages they send you. Screenshot every vile comment and cruel meme.

In short, screenshot everything.

Delete the incendiary posts or comments, but keep the screenshots stored in a folder.

2. Combat Cyberbullying tactics:

BLOCK.

If the cyberbullies happen to be on your friends or follower lists, you don’t need them. And they have no business stalking your page. Get rid of them!

Also, the sooner you block the creeps, the less likely they are to send you a virus or get access to any sensitive information.

Therefore, after you get all the screenshots you need, block them.

3. Report.

Report the cyberbullies to the social media outlet. Every social media entity has this option. Use it. They may or may not do anything about it.

However, there will still be a record. Once you report the person, take a screenshot of your report. If a moderator responds to your report, take a screenshot of that too.

4. expose.

Remember that a cyberbully’s worst fear is being exposed. So, make it come true. Expose them by plastering the screenshots all over the internet.

You do this not only to spare your reputation and protect yourself. But you also expose the cyberbullies to protect others from being trolled by them.

And trust me! Other users will thank you for it!

And besides, they asked for it. So, put them on blast. Exposure is the best way to shut these idiots down.

Cyberbullying Tactics:

In conclusion

This bears repeating! Always take screenshots. Save any online bullying evidence because you never know when you’ll need it.

it. If by chance you find the true identities of your cyberbullies, you can more successfully pursue litigation.

Understand that this may take a little bit of work. However, it will be so worth it in the long run. If other tricks have been used against you that I’ve left out, please feel free to comment.

This post was all about the most common cyberbullying tactics that cyberbullies use to help you to better protect yourself.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Signs of Gaslighting: The 7 Signs You Must Know

2. Setting Boundaries: 3 Powerful Practices to Hold Your Ground

3. Acceptance and Tolerance: 5 Best Ways to Know the Difference

4. Signs of Toxic People: 5 Tell-Tale Indicators

5. Conditioning: 5 Signs You’re Being Conditioned