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Uzone.id – Social media isn’t just for sharing content and having fun anymore. While some people find these trendy apps as their escapes and source of happiness, others find these apps as a dark hole and hell-like place to stay.
Bullying is not a physical thing anymore, it can be harsh comments spreading rumors, or even just as simple as memes. The power it holds is no joke, online bullying has the power to ruin your head, even your whole life.
“Social media is like a playground where bullies can hide and target people easily. The anonymity and reach of it all make it super important for us to know how to handle it,” said Dr. Emily Wilson, who regularly handles teenage mental health.
These cheerful–supposed to be–apps are no longer safe for everyone, instead, these platforms become a space where bullying can hit hard and act like they’re ruling someone’s life–even worse. This bad behavior is spreading fast like cancer. Even TikTok, Meta, and YouTube are trying so hard to ditch these malicious actions.
During 2023, TikTok received more requests from Australia’s eSafety commissioner to remove posts that bullied children in the last 18 months than any other social media platform.
TikTok didn’t stay quiet, TikTok’s acting director of public policy for Australia and New Zealand, Ella Woods-Joyce, said that the company has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying.
“We use a combination of advanced technology and a team of more than 40,000 trust and safety specialists to monitor our platform and ensure that it remains a safe place for everyone. In the last quarter to March 2023, we proactively removed over 85% of harassment and bullying-related content before users reported it,” said Ella.
Scary indeed, but it doesn’t mean you should stop seeking entertainment from these apps. You can still have fun and push back the bullies by standing strong. So, how do you keep your cool and stand your ground facing those bullies? Here are some tips.
Do not feed their ego
Bullies are usually a bunch of people who love attention and ignoring or blocking them can make them powerless. Don’t give them what they want—drama, and act like they don’t even exist.
Ask for backup
You can talk to someone you trust instead of facing them all alone. You can ask your friend, family member, or a counselor and tell them what you’re going through to help you figure out what to do next.
Collect evidence and speak up
Saving evidence of what’s happening is a must! Most social media platforms have ways to report bullying and when things have gone too far and you decide to take legal action, you can use them as evidence.
Focus on yourself
Do things that make you feel good about yourself and do not listen to what they say. You can do offline activities instead of being stuck in front of computers. Exercise, hobbies, hanging with friends, or whatever could lift you and distract you from social media. Taking care of yourself is key!
Always spreading love and positivity
You will get what you give. That’s why you must behave even on social media. It’s not always bad out there. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are full of trends where people share positive messages and support each other.
When you spread positivity, the only thing you get is the same, and vice versa.
Just like TikTok creator @PositiveVibesJen said, “I use my platform to spread love and kindness. We’ve got enough negativity; let’s build each other up instead.”
Be kind, stay strong
Dealing with bullying online means you’re being strong, knowing when to ask for help, and spreading positivity. Just remember that you have to learn how social media works, reach out when you need support, and share kindness only.
In a world where we’re all connected online, standing strong against bullying isn’t just about staying tough—it’s about creating a supportive and positive community for everyone to push away the negativity and make the digital world a better place.
