In the age of digitization and virtual communication, social media has become an integral part of the lives of both young men and women. With this massive technological openness, various negative phenomena have emerged, the most prominent of which is cyberbullying — taking multiple forms such as mockery, insults, defamation, stalking, and even threats, all through different internet channels. Girls are among the most vulnerable groups to this type of bullying due to the nature of their social interactions on digital platforms and the sensitivity of issues related to identity, appearance, and reputation in various societies.
Cyberbullying does not only cause psychological harm but can also have deep effects on mental and emotional health. It affects a girl’s self-confidence, her ability to interact with others, and even her academic achievement and future career. The danger increases when the bullying is anonymous or hidden, making victims feel powerless or afraid to report it. This silent digital violence can worsen over time.
Feryal Halawi, a lecturer and self-development consultant, explains the causes of cyberbullying and how to confront it.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is an aggressive behavior in many forms, such as verbal abuse, bullying through images, text, or electronic messages, and repeated psychological harm.
What Should We Do?
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Awareness: Understand that the problem lies with the bully, not the victim.
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Maintain self-esteem: Don’t let the bully’s behavior diminish your value.
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Be mentally prepared: Build confidence and avoid feeling guilty.
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Seek social support: Reach out to family, friends, or supporters.
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Legal recourse: Utilize laws that protect against bullying.
The bully reflects an internal problem, not the victim’s fault. Victims must be aware, hold onto their dignity, and not stay silent because silence may encourage the bully to continue.
How to Face Cyberbullying?
In an era with growing digital challenges, cyberbullying is especially concerning for girls who might be targeted by hurtful words or bullying campaigns on social media. How can they confront this harmful behavior?
Despite many challenges, girls today do not face this threat silently. They have started developing and following diverse strategies to combat cyberbullying:
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Self-awareness and education
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Seeking family and institutional support
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Using legal protections and technological tools that guard against digital abuse
Schools, media platforms, and community initiatives play an increasing role in empowering girls to defend themselves in the digital space and strengthen their digital awareness.
Key Points for Girls Facing Cyberbullying
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Recognize that feeling hurt is natural: Feeling sad, angry, or embarrassed after bullying is a normal emotional response.
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Understand the bully’s motive: Bullies often try to lower others’ status to boost their own false self-esteem. Knowing this helps not take insults personally.
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Don’t give the bully power: The most important step is not to let the bully control your feelings. Ignoring or firmly confronting them helps break their hold.
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Seek social support: Girls shouldn’t face this alone—talking to family, friends, or specialists is vital to overcoming feelings of isolation and negativity.
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Break isolation: Silence strengthens the bully; openness and speaking out are the first steps to victory over harm.
Practical Steps to Handle Cyberbullying
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Block and take a break: If bullying intensifies, block the bully immediately, remove them from your accounts, and consider a social media break if overwhelmed.
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Use legal protection: Laws exist today against cyberbullying and digital harassment. If bullying crosses a line, legal action should be pursued with support from family and friends.
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Seek psychological help: If bullying recurs or causes severe isolation or psychological distress, consult a mental health professional promptly.
Understanding the Bully’s Behavior
Victims should know that bullies are often individuals who themselves experienced bullying in childhood or social circles. They vent their aggression by lowering others to feel better about themselves. Bullying is intentional and planned rather than random.
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