During the first days of shutdown orders, people turned their attention online.
For some women, the online abuse became worse, with 29% reporting an uptick in abusive behavior.
However, this isn’t a new phenomenon.
Peter Cade / Getty Images
About half of these women report someone sent them explicit images they did not ask for.
Online harassment and bullying are often emotionally taxing experiences.
But if you are being targeted, there are steps you might take to protect yourself.
to prevent the cycle of cyberbullying, it’s important not to engage or encourage any harassment online yourself.
Thankfully, if you are being targeted, there are steps you might take to keep yourself safe.
On accounts like Facebook or Twitter, set your accounts to friends only or private.
verify to keep your personal details private.
Block and Un-Friend
Block harassing accounts, email addresses, and phone numbers.
“It’s a little like building up your muscles.
Every time you exercise your choice, you make yourself stronger.”
Take a Break
Take a break from your phone or computer.
Turn off your phone and put it out of your sight.
Report Threats
Report threats of bodily harm to the police.
“If youre in an abusive situation, you gotta do exactly what you learned in school.
You yell and tell,” Presser says.
“If anything threatens to intrude on your real life, seek protection from your local authorities.”
Be sure to save harassing emails, texts, or messages.
Take screenshots of threats of violence and other forms of harassment.
This will be important evidence if you decide to file a police report.
Tell someone that you trust.
People want to support you during this time.
Remember, you are worthy of respect and your feelings are important.
No matter what anyone might say or imply, you didnt do anything to deserve such treatment online.
This isnt your fault.
We do not tolerate this kind of behavior because it prevents people from feeling safe and respected on Facebook.
When something gets reported to Facebook, we review it and remove anything that goes againstFacebook Community Standards.
From Twitter:“Weve all seen something on the Internet we disagree with or have received unwanted communication.
Such behavior does not necessarily constitute online abuse.
If you see or receive a reply you dont like, unfollow and end any communication with that account.
From TikTok:“Online bullying can take many forms, from a trolling video to an unwanted comment.
April 2, 2020.
Fix The Glitch.The Ripple Effect: COVID-19 and the Epidemic of Online Abuse.
Duggan M. Pew Research Center.Online Harassment 2017.
July 11, 2017.
