SHAH ALAM – It started with small changes. She had gone from cheerful and confident to withdrawn and was often absent from school. That was enough for a group of teenagers to reach out to her, only to learn she was a victim of cyberbullying.
A teenager who only wanted to be known as Nur, 17, said her friend had been targeted with hurtful comments and slurs about her skin colour, along with embarrassing photos posted online.
The group did not wait for the victim to ask for help, Nur said, because the change in the victim's behaviour was already telling them something was not right.
"She was quite a confident person, but after facing online abuse, we could see a change in her.
"There were times she did not come to school and appeared depressed, which convinced us that something was seriously wrong.
"We felt that something was definitely going on and that we couldn’t just wait for her to come and confide in us," she said.
Nur said the simplest approach was sending a message to check on her, ensuring the victim knew people still cared.
"Usually, we message and ask, ‘Are you okay?’ or try to find out how she’s doing.
"Sometimes she might feel too embarrassed to reach out to us. So, we have to be the ones to reach out to her first," she said.
Nur noted that victims of cyberbullying may feel too ashamed or afraid to speak up, especially when hurtful images, videos or comments about them have already spread publicly.
This, she said, is why friends need to stay observant when someone’s behaviour changes.
She added that artificial intelligence technology has also raised concerns, as a person's photo can be edited before being circulated, opening the door to physical or appearance-based insults.
She said small acts, such as asking how someone is doing, can create a safe space for victims to open up when they feel ready.
If the situation escalates, friends can assist in seeking support from parents, teachers, or trusted individuals.
"What matters most is not leaving her to face it alone. If she doesn’t know what to do, we can figure out the next steps together.
"As friends, we might not be able to resolve everything, but at the very least, we can stand by her side," she said.
Nur emphasised that insults regarding skin colour or physical appearance should never be normalised as mere jokes, as they can severely shatter a victim's self-confidence.