How to help someone experiencing online abuse

Being the target of online abuse is not easy. If someone you know is being affected by online abuse, here are some ways that might help, or make the situation easier for them.

Try to understand

 

Just because the abuse is happening online, doesn’t make it any less real. If a friend or loved one seeks your help with an abusive online situation, listen to what they have to say and take their situation seriously. 

 

Encourage them to get help

 

While it’s important to be there for them, encourage them to get professional help, whether it be a counselor, therapist, lawyer, law enforcement, or other trusted individual. If you know the individual online only, suggest they seek people offline they can talk with. 

 

Don’t be a bystander

 

If you see someone being abused online, don’t look the other way. While it can be tempting to retaliate against the abuser with hurtful words, this is usually what they want you to do. Instead, reach out to your friend or family member with positive words to remove the attention from the abuser.  

 

Report content to us

 

When an account is particularly harassing or threatening, tell us about it by reporting the account or posts to us. It will take a few steps, and your report will help us make X a better place.

Read more about reporting potential violations of the X Rules.

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