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Pride Month is about connecting with and showing support for people in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s also about standing up and protecting those we care for, so today we’re talking about cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online. It can happen in a text message, an online game, or on social media. It might involve trolling, rumors, or images posted on social media or passed around for other people to see. Bullying often makes the person being harassed feel bad — and it makes the bully look bad.

This is something that many LGBTQ+ kids know something about. In fact, a 2017 CDC study showed that more LGBTQ+ students reported having been bullied or cyberbullied than their hetero peers — but they were less likely to report it. And the consequences can be dire.

So: if you or someone you know is considering suicide for any reason, including bullying, don’t wait. The Trevor Project has help lines (phone, chat, and text) to help LGBTQ+ youth. Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

If you or someone you know are the target of cyberbullying, here are some ideas to consider.

  • If you see someone being bullied, send them a message.

    • Tell them what’s happening is not ok.

    • Ask them how they’re doing and how you can help. Offer to talk, online or in person.

    • Say something positive and kind.

  • Tell the bully to stop.  If you know the person who is doing the cyberbullying, tell them to knock it off. Mean behavior usually stops pretty quickly when somebody stands up for the person being bullied. Saying something is important because staying silent is basically telling the bully it’s ok to do it.

  • If you’re being bullied, block the person, take a screenshot and save the evidence. Don’t respond to harassing messages. Then talk to a trusted friend or adult and report the incidents to the social media platform.

No one should have to tolerate cyberbullying and we all have a responsibility to each other. Check out stopbullying.gov, a site from the Department of Health and Human Services for more information on how to confront cyberbullying.

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Pokey
June 08, 2021
Its difficult to control this on YOUTUBE especially. You have an option to REPORT. But they put it back up. You cannot contact ANYONE at Google when they put the WRONG PHOTO of your house, and deliverys get messed up. GOGGLE NEEDS TO ALLOW A PORTAL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OTHERS CONDUCT.
Rainbow
June 08, 2021
People are going on my Facebook but avertisment on me and it's not true people are jealous evil and liers I go on Facebook to see my family not about crititzing me I am trying to change my phone is still being hacked
AnnieG
June 09, 2021
What about the elderly who are bullied and hacked ?
SimpleGyrl
June 09, 2021
I'm an adult in my early 50s and being cyberbullied by a woman in her 60s. I'VE DONE NOTHING TO HER. Bullies, harraseres, people who slander your name. They have been miserable all their life. You've encountered them at school, work, places of worship, etc. If you're skinny, over weight, short, tall, gay, straight, bald, hairy, green, yellow, white, red....people are always going to hate. The problem is NOT with you. Disassociate yourself immediately. Be strong, and stay classy.
FYI
June 10, 2021
When you re reporting an issue to Facebook, they do not have a place to comment as to why you are reporting something and if there is a picture that does not show bulling but is causing bulling they will respond that it does not meet their criteria. They do not read the comments. You also can not reply to there response. Your only recourse is to block the person.
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