Being kind and getting help
How you treat people online matters just as much as how you treat people in person. And if something ever feels wrong, telling a trusted adult is always the right move.
It can feel like there's distance between you and other people online, since you often can't see their face or hear their voice. That distance can make it easier to forget that a real person is on the other side of the screen, with real feelings.
A simple test before sending a message: would you say this to the person's face? If the answer is no, it's worth not sending it.
What is bullying, and what does it look like online?
Bullying is repeated, unkind behavior meant to hurt someone. Online, it can look like mean comments, being left out of a group on purpose, spreading rumors, or sending hurtful messages. It can happen through games, chat apps, or social media.
Online bullying can feel different from in-person bullying because it can follow someone home, and because it can happen in front of a much bigger audience. That's exactly why it's important to take it seriously and get help early.
Think of a time someone was kind to you online, or a time you saw someone being kind to another person online. Write down what they did. Small kind actions, like a supportive comment or including someone in a group chat, matter more than they might seem.
What should I do if I see bullying, or it happens to me?
A few things always help:
- Don't respond in the moment. Arguing back rarely helps and can make things worse.
- Save the evidence. A screenshot of the message can help an adult understand what happened.
- Tell a trusted adult. A parent, guardian, teacher or school counselor can help, and telling them is never overreacting.
- Use the report or block tools. Most apps have a way to report bad behavior and block someone from contacting you again.
If you see someone else being bullied, checking in with them privately, and telling an adult, can make a real difference, even if you're not the one being targeted.
It's always okay to ask for help
Some kids worry that telling an adult will make things worse, or that the problem is too small to mention. It's never too small. Trusted adults would much rather hear about something early than find out about it later.
- Username
- The name you use to identify your account, along with your password.
What's a simple test to use before sending a message?
Ask yourself whether you'd say the same thing to that person's face.
Name two things you should do if you experience bullying online.
Any two of these count: don't respond in the moment, save the evidence, tell a trusted adult, and use the report or block tools.
Is it ever too small a problem to tell an adult about?
No. Trusted adults would rather hear about something early than find out about it later.
- A real person is always on the other side of an online message.
- If you experience or see bullying, don't respond in the moment, save the evidence, and tell a trusted adult.
- Asking for help is never overreacting.