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ENHANCING E-SAFETY AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR LGBTIQA+ YOUNG PEOPLE

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Taking action when you see something wrong

If you witness adult cyber abuse or online hate, don’t ignore it.
Take action.

You can take action to support others in the LGBTIQA+ community online by going from being a bystander to an upstander. There are many ways to do this, depending on your style and what you feel comfortable doing. One way to help is by sending a direct message to check in on someone’s well-being. If it feels safe and appropriate, you could also speak out against bad behaviour online

“I believe that gender is a social construct that can be different for every person. I decided to express my thoughts on the topic by writing a post on Reddit.”

At first, I received some positive feedback from others who agreed with my views. However, it wasn’t long before the trolls descended. They started attacking me, calling me names, and saying that I was “confused” and “didn’t understand the real world.” They even went so far as to make personal attacks against me, calling me “mentally ill” and “a danger to society.” Other people started to step in and offer their support, sharing their own stories and experiences of being bullied and attacked for their beliefs. I was inspired by their bravery and resilience, and I realised that I was not alone in my journey.

– Josiah*

What to do

1
If you know the person who is being targeted, consider sending them a direct message to show your support.
A simple message can go a long way in making them feel like they have support and are not alone. You could also reach out to a friend who is experiencing a negative online experience to check in on their well-being and remind them of their awesomeness.

2
If you witness abusive behavior online, consider reporting it.
You don’t have to be the target of the abuse to report it. Use the eSafety Guide to help you report abusive posts, messages, images, or videos to online platforms and services. By taking this step, you can help protect others from harm.




3
You can also speak up or show that you disagree with disrespectful behaviour online.
If you feel safe and confident, you could directly challenge the person being abusive and make it clear that their behaviour is wrong. It can be difficult to strike the right balance, but sometimes a simple comment like Thumbs down emoji or saying “NOT COOL” on a harmful post can effectively convey your message. Just make sure to prioritise your own safety and well-being.