Official website links end with .gov.sg
Be An Upstander
Text Size:
What Is An Upstander?
An upstander is someone who takes positive action when they see something wrong, especially if someone is being bullied online, rather than staying silent or looking the other way. Being an upstander means standing up for others, speaking out against harmful behaviour, and helping to build a safer, kinder online community.
Examples of upstanding include:
- Stepping in to support a victim of cyberbullying
- Offering support to someone who has been excluded from groups
- Calling out a friend who shares an embarrassing photo of another friend in group chats
Why Is It Important To Be An Upstander?
Online bullying can be just as hurtful and damaging as bullying in person. It can have a lasting impact on a person’s reputation, self-esteem, and mental well-being.
When you witness bullying and choose to stay silent, it gives the bully power and leaves the victim feeling isolated and powerless. By stepping up, you show that harmful behaviours are not welcome. Being an upstander not only helps the victim but also sets the tone for a more respectful and inclusive online community.
How Can I Be An Upstander?
Being an upstander takes courage, and everyone has different ways they feel comfortable taking action. Here are some tips:
Reach Out To The Victim
- Let the person being bullied know you care by offering to talk or just let them know you're there for them. A simple private message can mean a lot to the victim during a difficult time.
- You can also encourage them to speak with trusted adults like parents, teachers, or counsellors.
Say 'No' To Negative Behaviours
- If you see bullying or harassment, let the bully know their behaviour is not okay.
- You can also report harmful content to the platform, whether it’s on social media, in a game, or in a chat. Reporting helps moderators review and remove harmful posts.
Seek Help
- If you don’t feel comfortable intervening directly, talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or counsellor, so they can step in and help.
Being an upstander is about creating a safer, kinder online space for yourself and others. Don't join in on bullying or negative comments. Instead, model respectful and kind behaviour by making positive posts and uplifting comments. Your actions can inspire others to do the same and help create a safer, more supportive digital community.
My classmate is being bullied online, but I’m scared that if I speak up, I might get targeted too. What should I do?
In cases where you find it unsafe to speak up directly, here are some safe ways you can help.
- Collect evidence: Take screenshots of the bullying in case you need to report them.
- Support the victim: Send your classmate a private message or check in with them in person. Let them know they’re not alone.
- Report bullying anonymously: Use built-in features on social media or school reporting systems to flag the bullying without revealing your identity.
- Reach out: Talk to a trusted adult who can help you figure out what to do next and ensure your classmate gets the support they need.
Your safety is important. It's okay to be cautious about directly confronting bullies. By speaking up, even anonymously, you can help someone feel seen, supported, and safer.
My friend is being bullied in a game. Other players keep targeting and killing him on purpose. It’s making the gaming experience miserable. What should I do?
In-game bullying, like constantly targeting or sabotaging someone, can really take the fun out of playing. If your friend is going through this, here’s how you can help:
- Reach out to your friend: Let them know you’ve noticed what’s happening and that you’re there for them. Sometimes just having support makes a big difference.
- Report bullying behaviour: Most games have tools to report bullying, harassment, or unfair gameplay. Encourage your friend to report it, and you can report it too if you see it happening.
- Support in-game: If you’re playing together, try to back your friend up during the game. Forming a team or sticking together can make it harder for others to single them out.
- Switch servers or lobbies: If the game allows it, try joining a different server or match to get away from the bullies.
Online bullying can affect your friend emotionally. Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult or peer if they require additional support.
Someone in my group chat keeps making racist jokes about another person, and that person seems okay with it. Should I still be concerned or step in?
Just because someone laughs along doesn’t always mean they’re truly okay. Sometimes, people play it cool to avoid awkwardness or more teasing. Here are some ways you can help.
- Reach out privately: Message the person being joked about and ask how they really feel and if they need help. Let them know you’re there if they ever want to talk.
- Speak up if you need to: If the jokes start to feel mean or repetitive, it’s okay to say something like, “Let’s not go there.”
- Shift the tone: Steer the conversation in a different direction to ease the pressure on the person being targeted.
- Reach out for support: Talk to someone you trust, like your parents, teachers, school counsellors, or close friends. They can help you handle the situation if needed.
Keep an eye out for signs of discomfort such as silence, short replies, or a sudden change in tone. These could be clues that the jokes are starting to hurt, even if they are not saying so outright.
Want more tips and tools to build healthier digital habits? Come along and Scroll Smart, Surf Safe with us.