How to avoid becoming a victim of cyberbullying on a dating site

Dating websites is a tool that can help you find friends, love, or simply expand your social circle. However, as with any online environment, there is a risk of becoming a victim. cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is bullying of a person using electronic means of communication, such as the Internet, phones, text messages. It can manifest itself in various forms:

• Insults and threats: «Ты такой(ая) некрасивый(ая)!», «Я тебя найду и…»
• Spreading rumors and gossip: «Он(а) на самом деле совсем не такой(ая), как кажется…», «Она ходит налево…»
• Publishing confidential photos or videos: «Смотрите, что я нашел(а) у него(ее) в телефоне!»
• Creating fake accounts: «Привет, я давно хотел(а) с тобой познакомиться…»

Cyberbullying can have serious consequences for a person's mental health, including:

• Decreased self-esteem: «Я никому не нужен(на)», «Я никчемный(ая)»
• Feelings of anxiety and depression: «Я боюсь выходить из дома», «Я никому не хочу ничего говорить»
• Social isolation: «Я ни с кем не хочу общаться», «Я никому не нужен(на)»
• Suicidal thoughts: «Я не хочу больше так жить»

What to do if you become a victim of cyberbullying on a dating site:

1. Don't respond to insults.

This will only encourage the buller. Example: «Ты такой(ая) некрасивый(ая)!», Do not answer: «Сам(а) такой(ая)!».

2. Save all evidence.

Take screenshots of offensive messages, emails, or posts. Example: Сделайте скриншот сообщения «Ты такой(ая) некрасивый(ая)!» и сохраните его в надежном месте.

3. Block the user.

Don't let him contact you anymore. Example: Заблокируйте пользователя, который отправил вам сообщение «Ты такой(ая) некрасивый(ая)!».

4. Report cyberbullying to the site administration.

Most dating sites have rules against cyberbullying. Example: На сайте знакомств «Мейби Топ» есть раздел «Помощь», где вы можете сообщить о кибербуллинге.

5. Ask for help.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, talk to a friend, family member, counselor, or other trusted person. Example: Talk to a friend about being insulted on a dating site.

How to avoid becoming a victim of cyberbullying on a dating site:

• Be careful what information you publish.

Do not share confidential information, such as your home address or phone number. Example: Don't write your home address on your dating profile.

• Use a strong password.

Don't use the same password for different sites. Example: Use different passwords for dating sites, email, and social networks.

• Don't add strangers as friends.

Before you add someone as a friend, check their profile. Example: See if the user on the dating site has photos, information about himself, and reviews from other users.

• Trust your intuition.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Example: If a user with a very attractive appearance wrote to you and immediately started complimenting you, be careful.

Many people become victims of cyberbullying. Example: According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 59% US teenagers have been bullied or harassed online.

Resources:

• https://www.stopbullying.gov/ — сайт правительства США, посвященный проблеме буллинга
• Cyberbullying Research Center: https://cyberbullying.org/ — исследовательский центр, посвященный проблеме кибербуллинга
• The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ — организация, предоставляющая помощь LGBTQ+ молодежи, в том числе и в случае кибербуллинга

Remember:

• You are not alone.
• This is not your fault.
• You can protect yourself.
• You can get help.

Be careful and take care of yourself!