Empowering Strategies: How to Effectively Deal with Cyberbullies
- Published:
- Updated: July 31, 2024
As a leader, you must have an online presence. Unfortunately, there are people who enjoy harassing or threatening others online. They are called cyberbullies. And as an entrepreneur coach, I know it is essential to make sure you protect your business as well as your emotional health.
In this article we will discus how you as a business owner and leader can protect yourself from cyberbullying.
Even Grown People can Become Cyberbullies
A few years ago, I had the misfortune of meeting a cyberbully LinkedIn. This particular person took the time to create a post to shame my background and experience. It was amazing that a grown person would delight in trying to make others feel bad online.
This person did not stop there. In addition, he said that he went through all my social media accounts. Upon conclusion of his report, he said I was a nobody who with zero online engagement.
That interaction hurt (to say the least). My biggest fears came to fruition. I was called a fraud, phony and a nobody - for all to see.
He deleted the original post and sent a sanitized version (less the insults) of the same message to me via direct message. In the private message he also invited me to a free consultation where he would teach me how to grow my network.
I’m convinced God wanted me to see who this person REALLY was. That’s why I was able to see his original message. I thanked him for the message but did not schedule an appointment with him.
I really thought that cyberbullies and online harassment happened to kids on Instagram. Well, I was wrong. Adults also can be the victim of this vicious form of assault.
Don't allow anyone to treat as their own personal punching bag.
Recognize the signs of cyberbullying
Bullying on LinkedIn or other social networks happen more often that you think. Unfortunately, so many people do not recognize that it looks like.
LinkedIn has community standards regarding appropriate behavior on their platform. Take the time to read it when you get the chance.
In Shelly Elsliger’s article, “Add To Your LinkedIn ‘Superpowers’ By Building A Bully-Alert System” describes how you can be bullied online.
- Undervaluing content from those they consider to have less knowledge and experience than them.
- Trying to prove that others are not good enough by putting them down and slashing their credibility.
- Calling others out and challenging their content in a negative, sarcastic and demeaning way.
- Indulging in name-calling. Humiliating and embarrassing others, spreading rumors and intentionally excluding targeted people.
- Negatively commenting on posts and stirring things up to get other bullies to follow the pack.
- Discrediting others’ work.
- Preying on peoples’ vulnerability.
- Take a stand for yourself if someone does one or more of these things listed above.
How to Face a Cyberbully with Confidence
It can be unnerving to deal with someone who only wants to tear you down or take your money. In this section, we will talk about some ways you can be confident with strangers online.
Tip #1: Choose to be brave and confront your fears.
To be honest with you, I felt uncomfortable, vulnerable, and unsure of what to do next. So, I decided to do the bravest thing I could imagine: I shared both messages he wrote to me with my entire LinkedIn network (which included him).
Following that interaction, I found myself pondering how many people might be his clients BECAUSE of these aggressive and manipulative tactics. Probably many. It’s ironic how so many individuals mistake aggressiveness for confidence.
Please, never allow cyberbullies or anyone else to treat you with blatant disrespect. In the past, I might have simply ignored incidents like this, pretending they didn’t happen. But not this time. I felt the need to take a stand.
I hope you can and will take a stand as well. Don’t let anyone treat you as their personal punching bag.
Remember, you don’t have to respond to bullying. There are other options available. Blocking, muting, or reporting the post are all viable choices.
Tip #2: See How You Benefit from Your Interaction
Nobody likes being criticized or put down. Recently, someone made harsh comments about one of my images without trying to understand my content, and it was really frustrating. You’d think the golden rule—”Treat others the way you want to be treated”—would apply both online and in real life, but sadly, that’s not always the case when people are seeking attention.
But here’s the good news: you can turn this situation to your advantage. Look at the criticism and see if there’s anything useful in it. Think about whether there’s any truth to what was said and use it as a chance to improve yourself. I wrote more about how to deal with troll comments in this article.
Remember to manage your emotional response; take a step back before reacting, and try to see the feedback objectively. This way, you can grow from the experience and not let negativity bring you down.
Tip #3: Don’t be afraid to let everyone know you aren’t afraid.
Don’t run away if someone is being mean to you. Bullies like picking on people who seem weak or scared. Facing them will make you stronger. And being honest about your fears is a true sign of authenticity and courage.
It’s okay to be real even when you feel vulnerable. That’s why I’m telling you about times I’ve struggled, hoping it helps you be brave when you’re upset, scared, or stressed.
Once, my former mentor Gina got talked badly about online by someone she used to work with. At first, she wanted to ignore it and felt really embarrassed.
But then she found the courage inside herself and stood up for herself. Gina said, “I’m not hiding anything about how I do my job. I don’t need to be ashamed.”
Now, I’m standing up for myself and anyone else who’s scared of someone they don’t know. Whatever happens, happens.
Remember, everything that happens, whether it seems good or bad, helps you grow. It’s not about things happening to hurt you, but to teach you. Next, I’ll my final thoughts on cyberbullies and online intimidators.
Other Tips on Dealing with Cyberbullies
I know that some of you might not want to call someone out online for their bad behavior, so here are some other tips for dealing with cyberbullying
Stay Calm: Don’t respond to the bully in the heat of the moment. Take a deep breath and give yourself time to cool down.
Ignore and Block: If possible, ignore the bully and block them on social media or communication platforms. This prevents them from reaching you.
Document Everything: Keep records of the bullying, including screenshots, messages, and dates. This documentation can be useful if you need to report the behavior.
Report the Behavior: Use the reporting tools available on social media and other platforms to report bullying. This can help get the bully’s account suspended or removed.
Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or a counselor about what’s happening. They can offer support and help you process your feelings.
Set Privacy Settings: Adjust your privacy settings on social media to control who can see your posts and interact with you.
Avoid Retaliation: Responding with anger or hostility can escalate the situation. It’s better to focus on positive and constructive actions.
Educate Yourself: Learn about online safety and strategies to protect yourself from future incidents.
Engage with Positive Communities: Surround yourself with supportive people and communities that uplift you and provide positive interactions.
The image below summarizes my tips on dealing with cyberbullies. Next, I’ll my final thoughts on cyberbullies and online intimidators.
Final thoughts
Building a business can be tough, especially when people you don’t even know criticize or judge you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to make things easier.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Stay positive and don’t let anyone take away your happiness. 😊
If you found this helpful, please share it with your friends or anyone else who might benefit.
Also, don’t forget to check out my podcast if you need more help with building your confidence and not being affected by negative comments online or in the real world. Click here to listen or press the play button below.
