What Is Cyberbullying?
It's not just strangers who can make you feel uncomfortable. Cyberbullying refers
to cruel or bullying messages sent to you online. These might be from former friends
or other people you know. They can also be sent anonymously — in other words,
on a website where everyone has a screen name, so teens being bullied might not even
know who is bullying them.
If you get these bullying messages online, it's often better to ignore them rather
than answer them. Cyberbullies, just like other bullies, might be looking for attention
or a reaction. Plus, you never want to provoke bullies. By ignoring them, you can
take away their power. You also can try to delete or block bullies so you no
longer see their texts.
Fortunately, most people never experience cyberbullying. But if you're getting
cyberbullied and ignoring it doesn't make it stop, getting help from a parent, school
counselor, or another trusted adult might be a good idea. That's especially true if
the cyberbullying contains threats.
Other Things to Consider
Although email is relatively private, hackers can still access it — or add
you to their spam lists. Spam, like ads or harassing or offensive notes, is annoying.
But spam blockers can keep your mailbox from getting clogged. Many service providers
will help you block out or screen inappropriate emails if your parents agree to set
up age-appropriate parental controls.
If you don't recognize the sender of a document or file that needs to be downloaded,
delete it without opening it to avoid getting a virus on your device. Virus protection
software is a must for every computer and should be updated regularly. You also can
buy software that helps rid your computer of unwanted spyware programs that report
what your computer is doing. Some service providers make software available to protect
you from these and other online annoyances, such as blockers for those in-your-face
pop-up ads.
When you're out and about with your devices, keep them secure. Don't let other
people use your phone unless you're with them. Don't leave your phone where someone
else might pick it up, and turn your laptop or tablet off when you're not using it.
Don't make it easy for other people to get a look at your personal information.
Finally, remember that any pictures or text messages that you send could be leaked
as soon as you hit send. Think about whether the words you've written or the pictures
you're about to share are ones that you would want other people reading or seeing.
A good rule is that if you wouldn't want your grandmother to see it or read it, you
probably shouldn't send it or post it.
Date reviewed: April 2018