Hi I’m Corey Gameiro, striker for the two time Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC. Each month I’m going to talk to you all about something that’s going on in the Community, starting this month with Cyber Bullying.

Cyber Bullying is something that shouldn’t happen, but sadly does in our community and is definitely something you shouldn’t be a part of.

Cyber Bullying is when individuals alone or in a group harass, threaten or embarrass others by posting unpleasant comments, pictures or videos online, on social media, via text message, and emails. It’s also making harassing phone calls, setting up fake accounts, using other people’s accounts without their permission or purposely leaving out or ignoring others on the internet. 

When your Cyber Bullying you are hurting people’s feelings, making them feel alone, low about themselves, hopeless, afraid, stressed out or even feel they are not cool enough to fit in. They may even feel that for some reason they are to blame and it can cause depression and anxiety.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to bring someone down, make yourself feel better or are jealous about something, you shouldn’t Cyber Bully people. It’s not fair or right so don’t be a part of it.

If you’re being Cyber Bullied, try and get away from the situation and remove yourself from it. Don’t read the comments, don’t pay any attention to that person or group and don’t respond. Make sure you remove the Cyber Bully from your friends list, block them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any other social media and press that ‘Report Abuse’ button. If you can - try to keep records so that you can show evidence of what these individuals or groups are doing. That’s the best way to get away from it. Also don’t share private information about yourself to people you don’t know and don’t give your password to anyone.

Just to let you know, I’ve been Cyber Bullied before, it sucks and it made me feel bad. I stopped reading the comments about me, removed people from my friends list, and blocked them on Twitter and Instagram.  That’s what I did in my case to stop it happening.

Another thing, make sure you also talk to someone about it and don’t keep it bottled up inside. You don’t have to deal with it on your own. Speak to your family, in schools speak to your teacher, in workplaces there people that you can talk to, and you can always go and speak to your football coach from your team. Remember there is always someone that will be there for you that you can go to.  

I look forward to talking to you more in the coming months and I hope to see you out at Allianz Stadium cheering us Sky Blues on in our remaining home games as we try to make the finals. Sydney is Sky Blue.

Corey Gameiro

Please note: FSC supports any person requiring additional assistance or advice on this or similar matters to contact the FSC Independent Professional Advisor, Dr Olga Lavalle on 0416 261 765 at Suite 2, Level 3, 221-229 Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500