ALOR SETAR – Cyberbullying victims, particularly teenagers are more likely to share their problems with friends than family members for fear of being scolded, blamed or having their phones confiscated.
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Counselling Psychology expert Associate Professor Dr Fauziah Mohd Saad said friends were often seen as more understanding of the digital world, language and social media culture that shaped teenagers’ daily lives.
She said victims might also worry that their social media access would be restricted if their parents or other adults found out about their experiences.
"Victims may feel embarrassed and fear that adults will dismiss the issue as trivial. This is why friends are often the first to know what they are going through," she told Sinar.
Fauziah said sharing their experiences with friends was a sign that victims were seeking support and should not be taken lightly.
She said friends who received such disclosures should offer support rather than retaliate against the bullies on the victims’ behalf.
"Friends should listen without judging and reassure victims that they do not have to face the situation alone.
"They should not retaliate against bullies by posting counterattacks, sharing screenshots with other groups or encouraging others to target the bullies, as these actions could escalate the conflict," she said.
Fauziah advised friends to help victims preserve evidence, including screenshots, account names, messages and the dates of incidents, as well as use the ‘block’ and ‘report’ functions on social media platforms.
She also encouraged victims to seek help from trusted adults, such as parents, teachers or school counsellors.
"If there are safety threats, sexual threats, the distribution of private images or signs that a victim may harm themselves, the matter must not be kept secret between friends and adults must be informed immediately," she said.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Perlis senior lecturer in the Department of Communication and Faculty of Business Dr Nur Salimah Alias said peers could form part of the initial support system for cyberbullying victims.
She said how friends responded when victims opened up could determine whether they felt safe seeking help or chose to remain silent.
"Friends are not problem solvers or investigators, but they can help victims access the right support without making the situation worse," she said.
Salimah said cyberbullying education should also be expanded to teach students not only how to protect themselves but also how to be a trusted source of support when someone reaches out for help.