Adult Cyberbullying: What to Do if You're an Adult Victim

Far too many people believe that bullying is merely a childhood problem. However, with the rise of cyberbullying as a serious issue, more adults than ever before are experiencing the same types of behaviors and mental and emotional damages. First learn to identify the signs and symptoms of adult cyberbullying and then discover new techniques to counteract the bad treatment and regain control of your Internet use and social experience.

Recognize Cyberbullying and Harassment

Not every negative comment falls under the heading of cyberbullying. If you post a social media comment, YouTube video, or other content online, you cannot expect that everyone who sees it will like it and respond positively. Negative messages and actions tip over the edge when they include the intent to frighten, threaten, harass, or intimidate you in any way. The definition of the term also includes a repetitive problem and not just a one-time post.

Keep Careful Records

No matter what other actions you take, keeping careful records or documenting the harassment makes sense. You can use this as proof of the other person's bad behavior and track a history of cyberbullying. This can make it easier to report them to a social media platform, content-sharing site, online gaming community, or legal authorities.

Use Built-In Blocking, Ignoring, and Reporting Tools

Almost every single website and interactive platform online has the option to block, ignore, and report people who engage in cyberbullying, threatening behavior, and aggression. Make use of them to protect yourself and to prevent potentially serious effects on your mental and emotional state and physical health. Unfortunately, some cyber bullies are very adept at getting around these obstacles. They will make new accounts just to harass you over and over again. Do not shy away from escalating in order to stop the abuse.

Investigate State Laws for Help

Did you know that cyberbullying may be against the law in some cases? Do not assume that you have no legal leg to stand on just because the harassment and abuse happens on the Internet. Look into your state laws or even contact the local police force to learn if anything can be done about problems. This is especially important if anyone online threatens you physically or makes aggressive statements about your home, job, family, or belongings.

Cyberbullying does not only affect children and teenagers online. Adults of all ages also experience harassment, negative comments, trolling, and blatant attacks on their physical appearance, character, and activities. For people who did not grow up using the Internet, navigating these situations may be particularly difficult. No matter what, remember that being bullied is not your fault and that you do have the power to take action against bad people. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to avoid it cyberbullying completely, but you can take steps to minimize its effect on you and the positive people around you.