Online Harassment: Strategies for Coping with Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, a despicable form of online violence, can affect anyone, regardless of age. It involves constant teasing, taunting, and shameless insults, often with incriminating evidence photos made publicly visible online. Everyone can protect themselves against cyberbullying by being cautious with their personal data, documenting incidents with screenshots or recordings, and reporting abuse to platform operators to have harmful content removed quickly.

If you find yourself a victim of cyberbullying, it is crucial to seek active support immediately. Thoughts of suicide can arise due to the mental anguish caused, and it's essential to address this issue promptly. The police recommend collecting evidence, contacting platform support, and reporting crimes to prevent the spread of defamatory content.

To strengthen a criminal complaint, collect and archive all offensive content without gaps. Everything that cyberbullies obtain can be used against their victim with destructive consequences. Group dynamics can lead to positive and respectful group dynamics or negative behaviors like mobbing, known as Mobbing Moloch. This occurs when disputes or interest groups form within a group, excluding perceived outsiders.

Fortunately, cleaning a tarnished online reputation is possible after experiencing cyberbullying. Educational resources for parents and teachers promote safe digital practices and awareness, while the Digital Services Act enhances online protections and mediation mechanisms to combat cyberbullying effectively. Useful information can be found on police advisory portals like polizei-beratung.de. Heavy cases can be reported directly at the responsible police station.

It's important to note that there is no real protection against cyberbullying. However, being aware of the signs and knowing what actions to take can help mitigate its impact. If words cross a certain threshold of pain online, they can be considered cyberbullying. Everyone who uses the internet should carefully consider which information they share online.

This information is based on "Cyberbullying: A New Form of Violence" by Police Criminal Prevention of the Federal States and the Federal Government (ProPK). Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying, seek help immediately. Your well-being is important.