How to Help Someone Feel Better
If that surprises you, it may be because a lot of the things we can do to help – like talking privately to the person who's being mean, or letting the person who's being targeted know you care about them – don't happen in public.
Some people don't want to admit their feelings are hurt, so you don't want to jump in and embarrass them.
But one of the worst things about being bullied is feeling that nobody cares about what's happening, so if you want to help, start by just letting them know that what happened was wrong and you're there for them if they need you.
Kids who've been bullied online say that helping them talk to parents or friends or report it to the Internet service provider is one of the best things witnesses can do.
You can try saying:
"I just want you to know that what happened wasn't cool. Let me know if I can help or if you just want to talk."
"You don't know me, but I saw what happened. If you want to talk or do something about it let me know."
As well as contacting the person who's being bullied, you can document what's happened and help them report it. You can also report bad behaviour yourself: go to http://cyberbullying.org/report/ to see how to do that in different social networks. Either way, it's important to document what's happening by keeping copies or making screenshots: see http://www.take-a-screenshot.org/ for how to do this.
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