Being on the receiving end of online bullying is no joke. It can be really distressing which is why it’s super important that you are not sitting by yourself freaking out. There are people and organisations out there who can help you.

Check out these four steps to dealing with online bullying that talk about gathering evidence and accessing support:

1. Don’t respond - take the power away from the bully’s words and actions by not responding.



2. Keep evidence - Save texts and emails and take screenshots of anything that might disappear later. Make sure you keep track of dates, what has happened, who you think did it and why.



3. Reach out - Talk to someone that you feel you can trust. This could be a close friend, a parent, other family members, or even a teacher. If you’d rather talk to someone else, you can contact Netsafe for support.
   
   Netsafe can provide help and advice with anything to do with online bullying. Their service is free, non-judgemental and confidential, and their helpline is open 7 days a week.
   Call Netsafe: toll free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)
   Text Netsafe: ‘Netsafe’ to 4282
   Email Netsafe: [email protected]



4. Report it - Block or report the bully online. Most social networks have safety centres with tips on how to deal with bullying on their platforms. There’s also the ability to disable comments on posts and videos on Instagram and YouTube. You can also submit an online report through Netsafe.