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It’s truly unbelievable that bullying continues to happen at Calgary and area schools and in the workplace. Yet, beyond traditional bullying, many are now aware of the new modern form of bullying known as the phenomenon of Cyber Bullying.

Here are some ways to begin dealing with cyber bullying.

Cyber Bullying PTSD Treatment Calgary Tip #1: Check your Personal Settings

Often, we can have lots of privacy settings that are not very strong and robust. Having strong privacy settings protects you from who can see your personal contact info. This also includes not sharing your private information such as your personal phone number, home address or even things like your daily activities or personal pictures that someone could download and save for a rainy bullying day.  

Cyber Bullying PTSD Treatment Calgary Tip #2: Be Mindful of your Online Presence. Just because someone wants to be a friend online does not mean you have to accept someone online. Only allow people you truly know and trust to be on your social media. Allowing anyone can invite cyber bullying to occur.

Cyber Bullying PTSD Treatment Calgary Tip #3: Think before you Speak.

Once posted, it can be very difficult to get rid of a snarky or rude comment that can damage your reputation or hurt someone else’s feelings. Before you write anything online ask yourself how would your worst enemy (or bully) respond to what I’m writing and if it’s not going to be a positive response you might want to re-think what you are writing. 

Cyber Bullying PTSD Treatment Calgary Tip #4: Have Courage and BLOCK

It can take courage to block someone who is now cyberbullying you. However, it’s important to know you do have rights as a human being and you are allowed to BLOCK and report individuals who are cyber bullying you on many social media platforms.

As well, don’t be afraid to potentially block comments on your You Tube or social media sites if it looks like negative comments are flying in your face and it’s hurting your feelings.

Cyber Bullying PTSD Treatment Calgary Tip #5: Learn Online Communication Skills

I am amazed how I see comments made online only to be surprised by negative reactions. It’s important to learn online and in-person communication skills to ensure your message is stated clearly, calmly, and not passive-aggressively.  Tone and content can be so easily misunderstood and emojis can worsen your situation creating increased cyberbullying.

Responding to cyberbullies as well is not recommended as they are often seeking negative attention and are just waiting for someone to take their nasty bait and get there hook stuck in your cheek like a fish.

Cyber Bullying PTSD Treatment Calgary Tip #6: Seek Support

If you are finding you are being cyberbullied it’s important to seek support from a trusted friend family member or therapist who can provide support and possibly encouragement when needing to report or block someone.

If you are finding your emotional and mental health is being negatively affected by cyberbullying it might be time to consider seeing a counselling therapist who can support and provide you with strategies to gain more confidence and healing from the hurts and outcomes of cyberbullying and begin to walk in New Life.