YAY! Since someone on Face Book was writing crap about me using my full name my WordPress stats started booming. It’s cool in a way because that brings more attention to my blog and my name. I kinda feel like Alice Cooper and his legendary chicken story. No publicity is bad publicity!
But nevertheless, even if you have a thick skin like I do and you can blow off cyber bullying with a roll of your eyes, I do encourage everyone who has been cyber bullied to contact officials.
Cyber bullying is a crime. People who harass others on public forums using their full name is slander and libel. This should be taught to all people who purchase Smart phones or computers — or even use library computers.
I know if this happens to you there are so many ways you want to react. You may even react a few times. If someone harasses you, that’s normal. But best to start avoiding the bully asap because if they are dumb enough to break the law knowing they could get in bad trouble for libel, you don’t know what else they are capable of doing.
People who bully are good at it because they do it often. If you fight with them, you’ll never win, because bullies are bullies. The reality of it, according to psychology, is that bullies are scared, insecure people living very unhappy lives. It makes sense because that’s where the aggression comes in. Misery loves misery. And going back in history, all the most creative, unique, secure, happy-with-themselves kinda individuals have been bullied. Because HAPPINESS is a threat to a bully, especially if you’re not paying attention to them.
I mention this in my book “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162903908X
Now, I want to share something funny, not to make light of the subject, but to help those who are going through a bad time with cyber bullies because the following will put a lot into perspective for you. This is a pisser … check it out … Whenever someone writes a nasty comment about me on the internet. I look at the date of the comment. Then I remember what I was doing and laugh like hell because it goes something like this:
While you were bad-mouthing me on the internet, I was having a romantic walk on the beach with my husband. SWEET!
While you were bad-mouthing me on the internet, I was at the bank cashing my royalty check. SWEET!
While you were bad-mouthing me on the internet at the same time one of my favorite musicians liked one of my Face Book articles. SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get it? The one being bullied is always the winner! Because 10 out of 10 times you were doing something cool while some cyber dweeb was shit talking you.
Did I make you laugh? Good! Because cyber bullying is stressful and I want to help as many victims smile as I can. And believe me, it may seem like the end of the world when you’re constantly hearing losers call you names, “whore,” “pig,” “you suck” — it’s devastating. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s all very small because small attracts small. Intelligent people who are happy and at peace with themselves don’t act like that and will definitely support you and help you out. Share your story and you’d be surprised how many people will do nice things to come to your rescue!
Last year when my book first came out, I was a guest on The Bullyproof Classroom hosted by Jim Burns. Check out my super cool anti-bullying interview, it has a lot more awesomeness to listen to! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bullyproofclassroom/2014/03/11/the-bully-proof-classrooms-speaks-with-maryanne-christiano-mistretta
To report cyber bullying go directly to IC3.GOV
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is also the author of “Love Cats” available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YBGVJQS/
She is also a motivational speaker and would love to speak at your school, library, rotary club, etc. on Anti-Bullying.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta 