Online Harassment Can Happen — And Support Matters
Online harassment can happen to anyone.
It doesn’t mean you did something wrong.
It doesn’t define who you are.
Cyber awareness helps you understand how to take care of yourself after a harmful online experience — calmly, safely, and with support.
What Online Harassment Can Look Like
Online harassment may include:
insulting or aggressive messages
repeated unwanted contact
mocking or humiliating comments
threats or intimidation
being targeted publicly or privately
The impact is real, even when it happens through a screen.
Real Situations Young People Encounter
Scenario 1: Hurtful Messages That Don’t Stop
A student receives repeated negative messages.
Blocking helps, but the experience still feels upsetting.
The emotional effect remains even after the messages stop.
Scenario 2: Public Harassment
A post attracts harsh comments.
Even strangers join in.
The student feels exposed and embarrassed.
Scenario 3: Harassment From Someone Known
The messages come from someone the student knows.
This makes the situation confusing and harder to talk about.
First Steps to Support Yourself
After experiencing harassment, it helps to:
pause and breathe
step away from the screen
remind yourself that the behavior is not your fault
avoid responding while emotions are high
Your well-being comes first.
Protecting Yourself Digitally
You can reduce further harm by:
blocking the person
muting conversations
adjusting privacy settings
reporting the behavior
saving evidence like screenshots
These actions help restore control.
Talking to Someone You Trust
You don’t have to handle this alone.
Talking to:
a parent or guardian
a teacher or school counselor
a trusted friend
another responsible adult
can help you process what happened and decide next steps.
Taking Care of Your Emotional Well-Being
Harassment can affect mood, confidence, and focus.
Supporting yourself includes:
doing activities that help you relax
spending time offline if needed
getting rest
remembering your strengths
avoiding self-blame
Healing takes time, and that’s okay.
When to Seek Additional Help
It’s important to get extra support if:
the harassment continues
you feel anxious or unsafe
your sleep or focus is affected
you feel overwhelmed
Asking for help is a sign of strength.
You Are Not Defined by Harassment
What someone says or does online does not define your value.
Harassment reflects the behavior of the person causing harm — not you.
Your identity and worth remain unchanged.
Learning From the Experience
With time, experiences like this can build:
stronger boundaries
greater awareness
confidence in using safety tools
clarity about who deserves access to you
Growth can come from support and reflection.
Why This Matters
Supporting yourself after online harassment protects:
emotional health
self-respect
digital confidence
long-term well-being
Care is part of cyber awareness.
How This Makes You a Cyber Hero
A cyber hero takes care of themselves.
By supporting yourself after online harassment:
you protect your well-being
use safety tools responsibly
seek support when needed
build resilience
Awareness turns recovery into strength.
Daniel Porta
Cybersecurity Professional | CISO
Founder, Be a Cyber Hero Initiative