What to do if you are targeted or subjected to online abuse
• Don't retaliate:
Avoid responding to abusive messages, as this can escalate the situation and provide the abuser with the reaction they desire.
• Seek support:
Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or colleague about the situation to process emotions and gain support.
• Focus on positive aspects of life:
Engage in activities that help manage anxiety or depression that may arise from online abuse.
• Explore professional help:
If needed, reach out to mental health professionals or helplines for support and guidance or the teachers' Employee Assistance Programme.
• Save evidence:
Keep records of all abusive messages, posts, and other online content by taking screenshots and noting the date(s) and time(s).
• Report to your school:
Inform your school senior management, (and if there is another especially designated person for cyberbullying incidents), about the abuse.
• Block the abuser:
Implement measures to block the specific abuser from contacting you online.
• Adjust privacy settings:
Review and adjust privacy settings on social media and other online accounts to limit access to your personal information.
• Report to the designated ASTI cyber safety official:
Report the abuse to ASTI by calling the cyber safety official at Head Office. If possible, have the names of media platforms or websites where the content was posted.
ASTI may have agreements with certain platforms, including agreed policies against such behaviour. ASTI may be able to offer advice on what you could do next. ASTI has been appointed as a community partner with TikTok’s Community Partner Channel. TikTok has committed to removing content which breaches their community guidelines.
We are working towards a similar arrangement with the other social media companies. Other social media platforms have their own guidance on how to report abuse including: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X.
• Consider Garda involvement:
If the abuse involves threats, hate speech, or other criminal activity, report it to the Gardaí.
Some incidents can result in a criminal offence being committed and it is important that people are aware of the consequences of abuse and the impact it can have on an individual’s mental health and professional reputation.