How to Support a Friend Without Making Things Worse
What looks like cyberbullying may actually be someone fighting back against bullying. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything to help your friend, but you do need to know what’s going on and to think about what’s the best way to help.
Be there for them, but don’t let them obsess on what’s happened: talking back and forth about something that makes you mad can actually make you angrier than you were before. Instead, tell them to slow down and take a minute to think before responding to what the other person said or did. You can also help them get over being angry or scared by encouraging them to do something fun and relaxing. Remind them that they are in charge of their feelings, not the other way around.
Don’t let your friend try to get you to take sides: focus instead of making sure they know you care about them. They may be upset at first that you’re not supporting them more actively, but a good friend won’t stay mad at you for long.
You can try saying:
"Hey [name], looks like you need some stress relief -- check out this video, it’s hilarious."
"Hi [name], it’s too nice out for drama -- let’s get outside and chill."Return to Start