Cyber bullying and how you can stop being cyber bullied

Cyber bullying often takes the form of one person harassing another through emails, instant messages, text messages or other modes of electronic communication. Harassment is taking place if the bully is directly contacting someone with one or more of the following types of messaging:

• Hateful or threatening verbal messages. This includes name-calling, attempts to control someone's behavior by threatening to expose embarrassing information and/or threats of violence.
• Embarrassing or threatening images.
• An unending barrage of emails, instant messages, or texts, whether or not they are threatening in nature.

 Attempt to identify the cause. Some bullies start out as a friend, an ex, or someone else you know well. If it seems possible to have a reasonable discussion with the person, consider asking him or her to stop. Have the conversation in person, not through email or text. Keep in mind there may not always be a reason for cyber bullying, or one that is straightforward. Sometimes people lash out on others because of their own insecurities. In any case, it is not your fault.

Stop responding to the bully's messages. If talking it out won't work, don't directly respond to the text messages, instant messages, emails or other communications you may have received from the bully. Bullies want to elicit a reaction from their targets

Save the evidence. File away every email, text, instant message, web address, and other evidence you collect from the bully. Record the time and date that each message was sent. Having as much information as possible about the bully's behavior will help you determine how to stop his or her behavior

Block the bully. Immediately put an end to the bully's most invasive threats by blocking that person from direct communication with you. Once you've made sure all prior messages have been saved, take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Delete the person from your email contacts and block instant messaging communication.
• Delete the person from your social networks and prevent them from getting in contact with you again.
• Block the person from your phone.

 
Don't wait too long to ask for help. You might be tempted to let the bullying run its course instead of bringing attention to the problem, but if you do that the bully will get the message that there's no penalty for putting someone else in danger. Don't assume the problem will go away on its own; speak up immediately to put a stop to it. 

Report the bully to your service providers. Cyber bullying usually violates the terms of service laid out by social media sites, cell phone providers, and other service providers. Read up on your providers' policies and take steps to report threatening behavior.

 Get law enforcement involved. In some cases cyber bullying may be classified as a crime, which places it beyond the jurisdiction of the school and service providers. If the cyber bullying involves one of the following elements, call your local police department:

• Stalking and use of intimidation.
• Threats of violence or death.
• Sexually explicit photos or descriptions of a minor, which is considered child pornography.
• Secretly-recorded photos or videos that were taken without the subject's knowledge.
• Hate-related communications or actions.