Short messages on Bullying/abuse from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
Today is White Ribbon Day, also known as the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is a global campaign to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.
Signing up for Facebook includes accepting the contract of their terms and conditions – which includes the agreement not to bully, intimidate, harasses or to post hate speech. Doing this could result in facebook taking legal action against you, as well as the consequences from the Police of documented bullying.
Facebook’s terms state “You will not bully, intimidate, or harass any user. You will not post content that: is hateful, threatening, or pornographic; incites violence; or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence.”
If you are unsure or worried about the safety of a child, young person or vulnerable adult, please contact your local Police or Social Work Services or telephone the National Child Protection Helpline 0800 022 3222.
Samaritans provides confidential emotional support 24/7 to those experiencing despair, distress or suicidal feelings.
Facebook has three main tools you can use if you are being bullied on Facebook: Unfriend – only your Facebook friends can contact you through Facebook chat or post messages on your Wall; Block – this will prevent the person from seeing your information, including posts and updates – even if they’re a friend of friends – or contacting you in any way on Facebook; Report – if they’re posting abusive content, report the person.
If you are being bullied on facebook, they suggest you don’t respond, don’t keep it a secret and do document and save the messages.
People may still be able to see things you’ve posted online, months or years later – and some people may use what you’ve posted online in ways you don’t like.
Instead of blaming, take the restorative approach: find out what has happened, who was affected, how you can involve everyone affected in finding a way forward, and how can everyone do things differently in the future?
Bullying undermines self confidence and lowers self-esteem. Recently 65% of people surveyed with eating disorders felt bullying contributed.