PETALING JAYA: As cyberbullying continues to threaten the mental health and safety of social media users, experts are sharing practical tips to help protect against online harassment.
Ignoring unknown messages and capturing screenshots of harassment are recommended strategies, according to social media analyst Assoc Prof Dr Sara Chinnasamy of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
“Delete them without reading. Also, never click on links that are sent from someone you don’t know.
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“These too could contain a virus designed to collect your personal or private information or install a backdoor on your device,” she said when contacted yesterday.
Sara added that cyberbullying’s impact on mental health varies by medium, with text, pictures and videos on social media being particularly harmful to adolescents.
She also advised social media users to think carefully before posting or sharing explicit images.
“Those who want to cause you harm can use this picture as ammunition to make life miserable for you. Do not post anything that may compromise your reputation,” she said.
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She also recommended capturing screenshots to report instances of cyberbullying, as cyberbullies often delete their comments or photos when they realise they could get them in trouble.
She also advised against responding immediately to instances of cyberbullying.
“The aim of a lot of cyberbullying is to annoy, upset or confuse the person who is being targeted so that they react emotionally. If you’re being cyberbullied, keep in mind that the person who’s targeting you wants you to respond.
“A good strategy for dealing with this is not to give them what they’re looking for. If someone says something to you online, tags you in a photo you don’t like, or just generally does something unkind, put down your phone for an hour or more.
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“Take that time to give yourself some emotional distance, and think carefully before you respond,” said Sara.
Dr Wan Hartini Wan Zainodin, head of Communication and Knowledge Advancement at the Institute of Quality and Knowledge Advancement of UiTM, Shah Alam, agreed – saying that social media users should be mindful about what they post online.
“Do not open up too much on social media. You might want to share about your life, but everything has got to have limits and substance.
“On the technical aspects, privacy settings must be regularly updated, always avoiding harmful users. They can either be blocked or muted. Report them if they cross the line,” she said.
Siraj Jalil, president of the Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA), stressed that it’s essential to report any instances of cyberbullying to the platform administrators immediately.
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“Moreover, we encourage users to support one another by standing against cyberbullying whenever they witness it, as collective action can significantly reduce the prevalence of such behaviour.
“Lastly, education and awareness are key. Being informed about cyberbullying and its impacts can help users recognise the signs early and take appropriate actions,” he said.
Joel Low, president of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology, suggested that educational campaigns on emotional self-regulation, self-esteem and image building would be beneficial.
This, he said, would be a good way to insulate individuals from the effects of bullying.
Aside from laws, mental health intervention should also be given to cyberbullying victims – as its impact can be wide-reaching.
“At the same time, the bullies themselves should be given help as well,” said Low, who is The Mind Psychological Services and Training director.
Clinical psychologist Sanghamitra Gupta said the Internet and social media were not safe spaces.
“Despite community guidelines, it does not stop the possibility of hateful comments, threatening messages or fake accounts.
“I would suggest that parents approach this issue with open communication and understanding. Talk to your children about the dangers of bullies online, what to do if they come across one, and how to keep themselves safe,” she advised.
