Cyberbullying: Think Before You Act
What every young person should know about cyberbullying
What you do online has real impact
It starts like this
You are lying in bed, scrolling through your phone. It’s late, but you can’t stop. A new post appears. It’s a photo of someone from your school.
People are reacting fast. Laughing emojis. Comments. Tags.
“Look at this.”
“So embarrassing.”
“Did you see this already?”
At first, it feels like just another post. Something to watch. Maybe even funny. You keep scrolling. But something doesn’t feel right.
The comments are getting worse. Some people are making jokes. Others are adding more photos.
The person in the picture is not there. They can’t explain. They can’t defend themselves. They did not choose to share the pictures.
But they will see it.
Maybe this has happened in your class.
Maybe in your group chat.
Maybe even to you.
Online, things spread quickly. One photo. One message. One comment.
And suddenly, everyone is involved.
Sometimes it looks like fun. But for someone else, it can feel very different.
It looks like a joke.
But for someone
it isn’t.
Online
actions
have real
impact
Pause and think
Is this a joke or harm?
Before you scroll on or join in, take a closer look.
What is really happening here?
Does it seem funny only to some people, while someone else is being hurt?
Online situations can feel distant, as if they are not serious.
But they are real.
Behind every photo, comment, or message is a real person with real feelings.
What happens next can make a difference.
You do not have to laugh along, share the post, or stay part of the harm.
You can choose a response that does not make the situation worse.
Every reaction matters.
Even doing nothing is a choice.
Before you write a comment ask yourself:
Would I say this face to face?
How would I feel if this was about me?
Am I helping or hurting this situation?
Sometimes people join in without thinking.
They want to fit in.
They don’t want to be left out.
But you don’t have to follow the crowd.
You always have a moment to choose.
If you are the one being targeted:
You don’t have to respond immediately.
You don’t have to go through it alone.
You can:
- don’t respond immediately
- save evidence
- talk to someone you trust
Reaching out is not weakness. It is a way to protect yourself.
Think about this:
- Online actions may feel small.
- But their impact can be big.
Pause. Think.
Then choose.
Your choice matters
Don’t follow the crowd
Every online situation gives you a choice. You can follow what others do.
Or you can pause and choose your own way.
You don’t have to react immediately. You don’t have to join everything you see.
Even small decisions matter.
You can:
- not share something that could hurt someone
- not add another negative comment
- step away instead of reacting.
Or you can do something more.
You can:
- support someone who is being targeted
- say something kind
- report harmful content.
You are not just a viewer. You are part of what happens online. The online world is shaped by many small actions. Including yours.
Sometimes you may make a mistake. That’s okay.
What matters is what you choose next.
- You can stop.
- You can reflect.
- You can change.
If this is happening to you:
- Don’t respond immediately
- Save evidence
- Talk to someone you trust
Then choose.
Behind every screen is a real person
Choose to be respectful
You can choose to be aware.
You can choose to be kind.
And that choice is always yours.