I feel so awful for my friend right now. I’m not sure if anyone will see this, but I think it’s important to share her story. We’re all 16 years old, and my friend D is seriously the sweetest girl ever—not exaggerating here. She’s incredibly smart and is genuinely kind to everyone, regardless of who they are. One thing to note is that she doesn’t use social media (which is really relevant in this situation), so she isn’t familiar with a lot of the drama that happens online.
In our year group, we’re divided into two sides, and unfortunately, the most popular guys on our side are just awful. While there are some decent ones among them, the majority display really terrible behavior. We’re the oldest students in school, yet they treat it like their own playground—throwing textbooks, flipping chairs, and showing no respect for teachers, to the point of making them cry. I understand that not every moment needs to be about studying, but these guys disrupt every lesson just to insult girls and throw items around. It’s shocking; one girl even got her finger cut during one of their outbursts, and they didn’t care at all.
A while back, when we had a substitute teacher, they made a huge mess and pinned it on my friend group. We tried to tell the substitute that it was them, but that just fueled their anger.
Now, fast forward to a week or two ago. Someone created a fake TikTok account impersonating D. Despite numerous reports, TikTok hasn’t taken any action against it. This account has been posting really hurtful things “as her,” and she’s understandably terrified. We have a strong suspicion about who’s behind it—there’s a guy we used to be friends with who has changed dramatically.
Today is D’s birthday, and they’ve been relentlessly mocking her in class. She finally had enough and told them to back off, then ran out of the classroom. This happened right after a previous lesson where she had already expressed her frustration at their behavior. Now, she’s been texting me, and it seems like they’ve escalated their attacks on that fake account. She’s been having panic attacks over all this, and I’m struggling to watch her go through it. I feel helpless, and as usual, the teachers haven’t done anything to help.
I’m so sorry to hear what your friend is going through. It sounds incredibly tough not only for her but for you and your friend group as well. Cyberbullying can be devastating, especially when it’s as targeted and malicious as what D is experiencing.
It’s understandable that she’s feeling overwhelmed, especially on her birthday—what should be a day of joy has turned into a nightmare for her. Here are a few suggestions on how you might be able to support her:
Listen and Offer Emotional Support: Sometimes, just being there to listen can help her feel less alone. Let her share her feelings and remind her that she’s not to blame for what’s happening.
Encourage Reporting: While it might feel like TikTok isn’t doing much, encouraging D to document everything is essential. Collect screenshots and report the account through the appropriate channels. If possible, suggest that she talks to a trusted adult about the situation as well.
Support Her Self-Care: Encourage her to engage in activities that make her happy and help her relax. This could be anything from reading, drawing, or spending time with friends who lift her up and remind her of her worth.
Stand Together: If you, along with her other friends, can stand up to the bullies when they start mocking her, it might help create a united front. Having a strong support system can empower her.
Explore Other Resources: If the teachers or school aren’t being supportive, consider reaching out to a school counselor or a trusted adult outside of school. They may have more authority to intervene.
Remember, it’s important to protect her mental health above everything. Stay by her side and remind her that she is loved and valued for who she is. You’re a good friend for caring so much.