With social media now a key part of today’s digital world, millions of users make meaningful connections every day. They chat, tune into livestreams, and together engage in fun online games. With an atmosphere of mutual respect, everyone can enjoy their time online.

However, cyberbullies can turn positive social media experiences into social media nightmares. Here, live social discovery app Yubo explains how cyberbullying works and details its negative effects. Most importantly, Yubo offers viable strategies to combat this toxic social media trend.

Snapshot of Cyberbullying

The term “cyberbullying” includes multiple types of malicious online behavior that targets another user. Cyberbullying can take place via social media, online chat, and text messaging platforms. A cyberbully can post the user’s personal information and/or other harmful content. The cyberbully can spread false stories about the user, often causing damage to their reputation. Some forms of cyberbullying may even be illegal.

Who is Affected by Cyberbullying

Cyberbullies target users of all ages and backgrounds. That said, younger users such as children and teens are most often affected. In July 2024, the Panda Security cybersecurity services firm noted that 46 percent of United States teens have been affected by cyberbullying. Further, 49 percent of 15-to-17-year-old teens have been the victims of online harassment. Yubo’s 13-to-25-year-old user base includes this age group.

5 Common Examples of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can take multiple forms. Yubo details five common types of online harassment.

  • Sending derogatory online messages to another user
  • Posting offensive comments on someone’s social media profile
  • Hacking into another user’s social media profile or email account
  • Crafting a “fake” social media profile to intimidate or harass someone
  • Initiating (or joining) belligerent online conflicts

Cyberbullying’s Multiple Negative Impacts

Not surprisingly, the cyberbullied user can be negatively impacted by this toxic behavior. Emergence (or worsening) of mental health issues is a common outcome.

  • Reduced Self-Esteem
  • Depressive Symptoms
  • Thoughts of Self-Harm
  • Sleep Disruptions
  • Eating Disruptions
  • Online Platform Avoidance
  • Message Checking Obsession
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms

7 Strategies to Short-Circuit the Cyberbullies

Fortunately, users affected by cyberbullies have numerous ways to fight back. Yubo details seven strategies designed to stop the cyberbully in their tracks.

  • Minimize Personal Information on the Internet
  • Block the Cyberbully’s Access to the User’s Social Media Accounts
  • Avoid Responding While Deciding on the Appropriate Action
  • Retain Clear Records of Cyberbullying Incidents (messages and screenshots)
  • Report Actual Threats and Clearly Documented Abuse to Authorities
  • Take Action to Remove Offensive Content from Websites and/or Apps
  • Obtain Emotional and Mental Health Support if Needed

Yubo’s Integrated Strategies Promote Safe Online User Experiences

The Yubo live social discovery app offers users multiple ways to connect and form authentic online friendships. Equally importantly, Yubo’s executive team is focused on preventing cyberbullying and fostering safe online user experiences. Here, Yubo profiles five strategies to keep cyberbullies off this increasingly popular Gen Z app.

100 Percent User Age Verification

In 2022, Yubo became the first top-tier social media platform to require 100 percent user age verification. Yubo’s innovative approach doesn’t require users to submit official documentation, as some younger users may not have obtained an ID card yet.

Instead, Yubo partnered with digital ID provider Yoti to implement an age estimation sequence inside the Yubo app. The Yoti protocol complies with European data privacy laws.

How Yubo’s Age Verification Process Works

First, the user takes a real-time photo inside the Yubo app. Next, the Yoti liveness algorithm takes a short video to verify the photo’s validity. Assuming confirmation, the Yoti algorithm compares its estimated age to the user’s previously claimed age. If a match occurs, the user is routed to the Yubo app. If not, the user must produce approved documentation or they are denied access to the platform.

Once inside the Yubo app, an age-gating function ensures that users are placed into rooms with other same-aged individuals. This increases the chances of common ground and ensures that adults cannot access the same platform as minor users.

24/7 AI and Safety Specialist Monitoring

Yubo’s always-vigilant algorithm searches the app for potentially harmful or otherwise inappropriate content. When the algorithm detects an issue, the AI tool sends a real-time pop-up message to the user. They are asked to reconsider their upcoming action. Finally, Yubo Safety Specialists also frequently monitor the app, ready to step in when needed.

Real-Time Audio/Video Livestream Moderation

In 2022, Yubo became the first leading social media platform to launch real-time livestream audio and video moderation. Video moderation integrates the platform’s sophisticated AI tool that analyzes second-to-second screenshots. An AI tool also transcribes livestream audio, seeking potentially damaging or inappropriate content.

If an issue occurs, the AI tool alerts a human Safety Specialist, who also monitors the livestream. Either way, this trained associate can remove the content, warn the user, or temporarily ban them from using the Yubo app. Device-level permanent bans, and law enforcement involvement, are possible.

Yubo Users’ Contributions

Yubo encourages two types of platform user contributions. Users can express their content preferences via the “Muted Words” feature. Users can also report violations of the app’s Community Guidelines.

Muted Words Feature

Every Yubo user has the ability to control the content they view. Yubo’s “Muted Words” feature enables users to select words, phrases, and even emojis they don’t wish to see in messages or livestreams. Besides blocking offensive users, a user can report someone who doesn’t interact with them in a respectful manner.

Community Guidelines Violations Reports

Yubo’s Community Guidelines display the standards and expectations intended to promote an inclusive environment and keep users safe. These comprehensive Guidelines are regularly updated to reflect new technologies and digital conduct standards. Users of all ages are required to read (and accept) the Community Guidelines to be invited to the Yubo app.

For reference, Yubo’s Community Guidelines prohibit cyberbullying, hate speech, and violence. When a user feels a violation of the Guidelines has occurred, they can quickly report the issue to a Safety Specialist. The user simply presses the Yubo app’s shield icon and clicks the “Report” button. A Safety Specialist will promptly investigate the incident and implement appropriate action.

The Yubo Safety Board’s Advisory Role

The independent Yubo Safety Board provides expert guidance on user safety policies and practices. Board members also advise company leaders on emerging user safety issues. Yubo Safety Board members come from respected international online safety organizations. Examples include INTERPOL, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The Diana Award, and Thorn.

Safety Board members also collaborate with governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations (or NGOs). Participants continue to work together toward the goal of safe online experiences for Yubo users across the globe.