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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 keep this up until you handle 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 out 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.
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