What is a “Hater?”
“Hater” is a label used to refer to people who use negative and critical comments and behaviour to bring another person down by making them look or feel bad.
These offensive comments can happen not only on public social media but also in one-on-one text messages. Typically, this content will spread more and more widely over time. Haters are usually anonymous (especially online) but take off the mask and they could just as easily be someone close to you. For example, classmates, acquaintances, neighbours, exes, and even good friends you once had. Typically, haters seek out people who are different from them and use that difference as an entry point for slander or personal attacks. These negative, critical comments can upset people and trigger feelings of anger, hurt, and confusion. Such negative news is often spread by one hater but eventually spread by many people. At this point, the hater will get out of control of the situation. This situation may cause some teens to become overwhelmed, cancel their social media accounts, become distrustful of people around them and gradually developing psychological problems.
How to Deal with Haters
Ignore it. Walk away and don’t respond to their verbal attacks or negative comments. If it rises to the level of a threat, you can talk to your teacher, your parent, or a trusted adult. In more serious cases, you can also choose to call the police.
Take screenshots and Block online haters. If someone makes abusive or defamatory comments on your social media platform, you can take screenshots at first to preserve the evidence, and then block them. If they make threatening words against you, you can ask teachers and parents for help, and report the screenshots to the platform.
Be kind and respectful, even to haters. It shows that you’re in control of your emotions and that you aren’t letting negativity bring you down.
Stick with supporters. Keep in touch with friends and keep in mind that they are your supporters. With their support, you will be less likely to fall into self-doubt or be in negative emotion.
Remind yourself that comments from a hater are not the real you. What they say is not true. Don’t put yourself down because of that.
Understand criticism can be a sign of pain. People sometimes lash out because they have other life struggles. Negative comments may have nothing to do with you.
Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted adult or friend and get some encouragement and support.
Keep being you. Keep moving forward, pursuing your interests, and being who you are.