Just ask all the normal ones to go to another forum. I've seen it happening on another forum with this problem that the whole group all of a sudden left to another place. One or 2 just sent pm's if you wanted to move there too. I'm sure you're not tbe only one who gets bothered by this. You can pray for the cyberbullies but you don't have to talk to them. I know what it is. I left one forum because of this and all of a sudden all my friends were gone. I asked them to go somewhere else, warned them, but they didn't care or listen. Oh well then why should I spend my time there. Months later I saw a thread where one or two said they missed certain people but LOL the others thought I was a sock. Spent 2 years talking to them, thought they were my friends. Lol they couldn't care less, so I'm glad I found this forum. Also I saw another new forum where a lot of others who also left or were banned went to. That's the thing you can have with forums. I couldn't just leave, was way too addicted, but God told me to leave, it was toxic, so I made sure they banned me LOL.
Lord, please give Aqua your strength and your wisdom on how to deal with that mess. That site has already been killed, but help her to find a safer way to remain friends with those who have helped her. And give her the strength to stay away from there.
And, since I'm asking for your help with cyber bullies anyway, I ask for your abilities to help us deal with this issue, and, if it is your will, an international law that truly helps those of us who come online would be good, because the Communications Act was written so poorly and written for business owners, not users. A little more fairness would be nice.
Amen.
Aqua, just to let you know, cyberbullying can, and does, cause physical harm. What attacks our emotions, if left alone, will attack our bodies. I missed most of a summer once because I was literally sick from online bullies. I was 50 years old, so this isn't something you learn how to handle better when you get older. Getting out from under it was the only thing that stopped the physical pain. And, yeah, kind of an Internet junkie myself, so, if you don't have the strength to leave and stay gone, that's why we have God. We don't have the strength to resist evil. He gives it to us.
This is some good advice. And a very nice prayer, lynn, (btw, hope hub is coming along, my prayers and offer still stands)
This issue astounds me that it seems so abundant on 'christian chats' (this is my only exp. with one), but what's funny, but sad, is often the advice given comes from the same bullies. It's very sick and slick, but they get off on bullying, but will act as though it bothers them, so they play the consolation card in order to appease and gain a little trust, but that gives them an open door for more dirty tactics down the line. It's very insidious, but to them it's a game, and they spend an awful lot of time honing their skills...you'll see them involved in everything...it makes them harder to expose in a way. Those who's job it is to know will tell you that sometimes even criminals will 'hide in plain site', thinking no one would suspect them. And with the general public, it often works. It's not much different on line. Just try to remember that just because someone may treat some ppl nice, or say or do good things, even seem to Help you, doesn't give them the right to treat you like a piece of crap.
I've been on the receiving end of this more times than I can count, and have had to learn the hard wat that some ppl are just hurting, so they get relief by hurting others, through bullying, ignoring, gossip, pm rumors, etc., .... they often are trying to build their own self-esteem by trying to tear yours down. And when they suspect you're on to them, it really gets them upset, they often ramp it up, and then after that, go into defense mode, manipulating others to do their bullying for them, until you either apologize for their bullying, or leave in confusion or disgust. You wind up wanting some answers, while they've often moved on. Some just don't know the damage they do, they really think it's a game, and would never believe they're as bad as this, maybe they think they just have a mean streak but they think they have a right to it. (Some are just evil, too,I guess), but either way, the results can be very harmful to ppl, emotionally, spiritually, and as someone said, even physically it can take it's toll. As hard as it is, though, we need to pray for these ppl. I've made my share of mistakes, and have tried to make amends, and if there's some I still owe, I need help there, I 'm not always sure of the right approach, or if it's even called for, but I'm always open to hear if there's something I have to say or do, I'm not always real good at seeing these things. As someone Also pointed out, God sees all of this. All of us. And perhaps we're all a bit guilty on some level, I know I am, and have asked the Lord for a better way to be, and to not seek to retaliate. They will see sooner or later. Meanwhile, try not to let it get you bitter, that's how they want you to react, since they're doing the enemies work, intentional or not, whether they admit it or not. Keep yourself in the love of God, don' t be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I've already pm'ed prayers as long as your arm and gotten a one word response.
I've posted publicly, mixing my prayers or just kind words or encouragement with others, and seen the posts immediately before and after mine be given a bunch of likes and thank yous by name were posted, and I was completely ignored. I've sent words of scripture and good cheer and offered a hand of help, real help, not just on-line, and been ignored. Not even a thanks I apprecite it. Nothing. I've been engaging in some light banter with a dozen ppl on a thread, and suddenly they all jump off at the same time, (I guess it's those little pm's you referred to), only to all be posting in another. And they not only think this isn't noticed, but they congradulate themselves and even think this is how christians should treat others ppl, christian or not. Sadly, you will experience this type of bullying just being on-line, but I am praying that the Lord will use this as an example for me to try harder to do good, as ther's many decent ppl who need help or are worthy for friendship and hopefully will be there for you, too, if you're down and need someone. I will include the OPer in my prayers, and those she requested, tho I'll admit, I'm not a real strong pray-er or anything, just a simple prayer that God would protect our hearts from hurt, and interrupt the bullies and their tactics and help them see the goodness of Jesus and His love and forgiveness for us all, and that we could spend our energy trying to love and help each other as much as we could hurting, ignoring, or bullying, and actually have a lot more fun for longer. (Being mean and nasty gets old fast, that's why bullies are always looking for allies, and new and different ways to hurt others. It's almost like a drug/gang to them).
But keep the faith, Jesus loves you, and He's the ultimate 'anti-bully'.