“It’s deeply disturbing to see how prevalent online hate is, and how it affects so many Americans. Cyberhate is not limited to what’s solely behind a screen; it can have grave effects on the quality of everyday lives – both online and offline. People are experiencing hate and harassment online every day; some are even changing their habits to avoid contact with their harassers.”
More on Online Harassment and Cyberbullying
There are various reasons why certain individuals employ the internet as a tool to bully others. Sometimes they are seeking a release to vent anger and resentment. In other cases, people become cyberbullies out of jealousy or with the intention of seeking revenge. However, no matter the reason, cyberbullying is always unacceptable and can have real-life consequences, depending on the extent of the harassment.
If you or someone you care about is facing online harassment, there are certain steps which you can take to protect yourself. First and foremost, try not to engage with the cyberbully. You can also block their accounts, especially if the abuse is coming via social media networks.
