Remember that bullying is never your fault, and it can happen to anyone. Bullying may make you feel embarrassed and like you’re all alone. But you’re not alone and it’s important to find someone who can help you through the situation. Reaching out to someone you trust.  ~reminds Facebook

Facebook and other social channels are space for communication, sharing, and connecting with others. Unfortunately, it is also a space where cyberbullying takes place. Research provided by different organizations in the USA and UK shows scary numbers, and we are definitely witnesses of a new form of bullying on a massive scale. The psychological consequences can be very dramatic, therefore education is crucial for prevention and fighting this new phenomenon.

Read on to learn what to do if you or a friend is the victime of a cyberbully on Facebook.

What to do if you are victim of cyberbullying on Facebook?

The social network offers different tools to prevent and block bullying. All available resources can be found on a dedicated Facebook page: Bullying Prevention Hub.

General rules say:

• Don’t get involve in the bullying situation. Most bullies are looking for a reaction, so don't give them one.
• Don’t let anyone threaten you.  Some people might threaten you with posting offensive content that will expose something private. Don’t send your nude, sexual or humiliating pictures to anyone. If this situation occurs, report this person to Facebook (see the tools below) and talk to an adult person you trust.
• Don’t be ashamed and afraid to talk. Reach out to someone you trust, like a close friend, family member, counselor or teacher, who can give you the help and support you need.
• Document and save. If someone has posted something you don’t like, you can print or take a screenshot of it in case you need to share it with someone you trust later. You can also use it as a proof when you report abuse to local law enforcement. (yes, this is an option too.)

How to use Facebook features that can prevent or limit cyberbullying?

Control who tags you and when, to prevent an unpleasant situation 

To control tagging, follow the steps:

• Click at the top right of any Facebook page
• Click See more settings
• Select Timeline and Tagging Settings on the left site
• Turn on Review posts friends tag you in before they appear on your timeline

You can also review older pictures you were tagged in and remove tags from the posts you no longer want associated with your profile.

• Go to your activity log
• Click Photos in the left column
• Select the photos you'd like to remove a tag from
• Click Report/Remove Tags at the top of the page
• Click Untag Photos to confirm

Unfriend the bully, so she or he can’t contact you anymore

• Go to that person's profile
• Hover over the Friends button at the top of their profile
• Select Unfriend

Don’t worry, this person won’t receive the notification about it. Remember, this is about your safety and comfort. Remain friends on Facebook only with people you really trust and like.

If unfriending doesn’t help, block the bullying person

• Click at the top right of any Facebook page.
• Click How do I stop someone from bothering me?
• Enter the name or email address of the person you want to block and click Block.
• If you entered a name, select the specific person you want to block from the list that appears.

Again, don’t hesitate, people will not be notified when you block them. Blocking will prevent the person from finding or tagging you on Facebook. This person won’t be able to add you as a friend or to view things you share on your Timeline.

Report abusive content 

To report a post, picture or video Simply use the Report link near the post, photo or comment to report it to Facebook.

• Click in the top right of the post you want to report and select I don't want to see this
• Click Why don't you want to see this?
• Choose the option that best describes the issue and follow the on-screen instructions

To report a message you receive

• Log in to Facebook on a computer
• Click Messages in the left menu
• Click on the conversation with the message you want to report
• Click Actions
• Click Report Spam or Abuse and follow the steps

If you need more help?

Reach out to a local institution and talk to a person, who can advise you on what to do. Remember there is always a solution!