What To Do When Cyber Bullied

by Sonnie | Bullying, Cyber Wellness ToolBox, CyberBullying | 72 comments

 Update 8.17.19 – Cyberbullying, Trolls and Free Speech
 Update 8.13.19 – What IS NOT Cyberbullying

When being cyber bullied, there are practical ways to respond. But when the situation calls for it, don’t
hesitate to get professional, legal and police assistance.

Related Bullying and Cyber bullying Articles:


 Bullying Cases up by 21% in Philippine School
 After the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013- More Needs to Be Done
 Applicable laws on bullying
 The Culture of cyber bullying in the Philippines
 Workplace or Office Bullying
 What is bullying
 Bullying and Cyber Bullying in the Philippines

Cyber bullying and Suicide

It was reported that there was an increase of cyber/bullying related suicides, and studies were being done
to connect suicide to bullying incidence.
Although there certainly is a connection between the two, research highlights the complexity of the
relationship.

Cyber bullying is a Violation of (Digital) Human Rights

Free speech is one of the human rights and a guaranteed constitutional right in the Philippines, however, it
can lead to abuse and border to harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, cyber abuse and negative online
experience.
When a person is being cyber bullied or harassed online, their digital human right against discrimination,
safety, privacy, live their life, move and express their thoughts, is being violated.

Suggested Reading: How To Handle: Right To Free Speech, Trolls And

Bashing

Cyber bullying in the Philippines

the anti-bullying act of 2013 . Coverage is limited to high school students and minors.

While there are high profile cyber lynching cases reported by media, most incidents remain under
reported. Since the anti-bullying act of 2013 covers only high school students and minors, adult victims,
can seek legal remedy from some provisions of the Cybercrime and anti voyeurism law.
 Some provisions that can help adults are online libel, identity theft, recording, sharing of intimate images
and videos While there are high profile cyber lynching cases reported by media, most incidents remain
under reported. Since the anti-bullying act of 2013 covers only high school students and minors, adult
victims, can seek legal remedy from some provisions of the Cybercrime and anti voyeurism law. Some
provisions that can help adults are online libel, identity theft, recording, sharing of intimate images and
videos

Adults and parents whose kids might become a victim of bullying must find time to read and understand
the provisions of both the bullying and cybercrime law. Adults and parents whose kids might become a
victim of bullying must find time to read and understand the provisions of both the bullying and
cybercrime law.

What to do if you are at the receiving end of cyber bullying

Always inform somebody when you are being cyber bullied, harassed, stalked or mobbed

 As a minor, tell your parents or guardian. It is best to share this also to your class adviser or the school’s
guidance office. Parents, it’s best to inform the principal about the incident. As required by law, schools
thru the Principal or his/her designate, should conduct an investigation.
 As an adult, tell someone you trust, and if harassment is work related, it is wise to give your HR a heads-
up. If you’re experiencing workplace bullying, here’s what you can do

Always keep a copy of the hate messages, degrading images and/or videos using a browser where the url
is visible when taking a screenshot

 Do not delete text messages, email, tweets and PMs/DMs.

 Always take a screenshot of the Facebook, Twitter and other social networ’s timeline
 Download a copy of degrading images or videos to be kept as evidence

Block the accounts of the people who are harassing you.

 Parents, do this immediately and have your kids take an online vacation
 For adult victims, do this if the attacks are affecting you already but ask someone to monitor the accounts
of the bully.
 If you can, take an online vacation. Use a different CP numbers when necessary, but ask someone to
monitor the SMS in your original number.

When cyber bullied using social media, report the account, photos and videos to social network providers

 For Facebook abuses, if you do not have an account, report HERE

 If you have a Facebook account and you wish to report a harassment/bullying follow this GUIDELINES
 For Twitter abuses, report HERE
 For Instagram, go HERE.
 For Snapchat, go HERE.

Seek professional, police and/or legal help when necessary

 According to this news report, if cyberbullying is happening to you or a love one, you can contact the
National Bureau of Investigation at ccd@nbi.gov.ph or call 521-9208, local extensions 3429 (Chief) and
3497 (Staff).

Seek financial damages, when applicable

One who is aggrieved by a defamatory post in social media may find refuge in the provisions of the Civil
Code on Damages (Art. 2176, Civil Code), according to Atty. Cyndy P. dela Cruz.

One who posts in social media, causing damage to the reputation of another may be liable to the subject
for damages and this can be a valid cause of action under the law. Such posts must tend to pry to the
privacy and peace of mind of another, meddle or disturb the private life or family relations of another,
intrigue to cause another to be alienated from his friends or vex or humiliate another on account of his
religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect or other personal condition. (Art. 26,
Civil Code)

If both the cyber bullied and offender is minor

 *Bully is from the same school – report to the child protection committee or the guidance counselor
 *Bully is from another school – report to the offenders school
 **Bully is out of school youth – bring the matter to the barangay where the offender is residing

* the school will determine if aside from administrative sanction, there is a need to file criminal charges.
If parents are not happy with handling, they can escalate the incident to Dep Ed.

** if there is no resolution at the barangay level, they can proceed to the Women and Child Protection
Desk of the PNP or DSWD

If offenders are adult but the cyber bullied are either minor or women

 Go to the nearest Women and Children’s Protection Desk of PNP

 Alternately, you can file an online report here: http://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/?page_id=1047 (use cyber
harassment) note: the online reporting form was removed and no longer available
 Or visit either the PNP Cybercrime Unit at Camp Crame or the NBI Cybercrime Unit

If both the cyber bullied and offender are adults

 You can file an online report here: http://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/?page_id=1047 (use cyber harassment)
note: the online reporting form was removed and no longer available
 Or visit either the PNP Cybercrime Unit at Camp Crame or the NBI Cybercrime Unit

Schools and Companies, for support purposes, should have a bullying and social computing policy; and
promote surf safe practices thru learning events and other interventions. The policy should answer for the
administrative discipline of the perpetrator. Likewise, a counselling program should also be in place for
victims of any forms of bullying.