How Bloggers Cope with Online Bullying and Harassment

The State of the Blogosphere.

Bloggers are a diverse and sometimes contradictory community. Some form tight networks that support one another with likes, shares and endorsements. Others operate as independent voices, determined to speak honestly regardless of pushback. The blogosphere contains both genuine insight and performative noise. It is an open, largely unregulated space where anyone with internet access can contribute — sometimes adding clutter, sometimes offering something meaningful.

Because blogging has such a low barrier to entry, it can feel like the Wild West. There is no central authority, and many blogger groups, award schemes and collectives rely on sponsorship or cater to specific niches, which can make their messaging partial or commercially influenced. Truly impartial organisations in this space are hard to find.

Outside of this noisy environment, however, there are impartial observers: researchers and academics who study bloggers with rigor and care. Their work rarely makes headlines or goes viral on social media. They do not court brand deals or build follower counts. Instead, they systematically observe, analyze and evaluate online behaviour, producing evidence-based insights into how blogging affects people.

Back 2 Skool.

In September 2016 I returned to academia after a 15-year break to study Food Policy (MSc) at City, University of London. It wasn’t a planned move — I had been focused on creative work and assumed academia would remain distant after completing a design degree in 2002. Then I heard Tim Lang speak about food policy and changed my mind.

Now, midway through the degree, I spend much of my time reading and evaluating academic literature on food-related topics. One of the most valuable skills I’ve learned is how to research, digest, critically appraise and cite scholarly work. The available literature is vast and sometimes overwhelming, covering a huge range of topics and approaches.

During research for a literature review on value chain analysis and trends in UK free-range egg sales, I searched for the term “bloggers” and discovered a surprising amount of academic attention on the subject.

O. M. G.

Analysing Bloggers.

Large sections of the blogosphere have been examined by academics from many disciplines. Some of these studies are peer-reviewed, which adds credibility because peers in the field evaluate the work for bias and rigor before publication. These studies provide an impartial perspective that is often missing from the everyday conversation around blogging.

I plan to make these findings accessible. Many academic papers are dense and filled with technical language. I will select studies, summarize the key findings, and present their conclusions clearly for readers who want to understand what research says about bloggers and blogging.

Part One – Bullied Bloggers.

She Stopped Me From Killing Myself: Bullied Bloggers Coping Behaviors and Support Sources.
By Danielson, C.M. & Emmers-Sommer, T.; 2017

This topic resonates personally — I experienced bullying at school — and this study offers important insights into how blogging can play a role in coping and recovery.

What is the Study?

The paper examined 100 students who used blogs to write about their experiences with bullying and analyzed the coping strategies they adopted.

Bullying can have long-lasting effects. Research suggests that the negative impact of being bullied can persist for many years, and that traditional bullying affects a significant portion of people while cyberbullying also affects a substantial group. Although the internet has enabled new forms of harassment, it has also created new channels for support and connection, including blogging. Prior to this study, there was limited research on how those who have been bullied use blogs as part of their coping process.

The researchers asked bloggers questions such as:

The Stats.

Male bloggers most commonly coped by helping others: about 20% of the male sample reported this approach, and all who used it found it effective. In contrast, female bloggers most often externalized stress through tension-reducing behaviours — including self-harm or suicide attempts — reported by about 23.5% of the female sample. Those behaviours were less effective, with only 38.5% finding them helpful. Seeking support was particularly effective for female bloggers; when they reached out, they often received the help they needed.

One participant’s testimony illustrates this clearly: “I learned through this entire experience that it’s okay to need help. At first I thought getting help was a sign of weakness… I wasn’t wise enough or strong enough to handle it on my own. So with the love and support of friends and family… I recovered and am stronger than before.”

By contrast, everyone who internalized the problem and avoided seeking help rated that strategy as ineffective.

The Bloggers.

Blogging itself emerged as a meaningful source of support. Many participants described finding comfort and connection through blogs, peer groups and online resources. Examples include statements like:

“I was so glad when I found out about imgettingbullied.com. It truly saved me from doing something more drastic than just going home at night and crying about it.”

“I have an account on Instagram that’s anti-bullying and I post uplifting pictures and quotes and offer advice and love to anyone who needs it.”

Open, honest blogging about bullying can help both writers and readers. In this study, the most supportive sources were friends, bullying blogs/groups/hotlines, and school administration (as distinct from individual teachers). Encouraging people to write and share their experiences online appears to produce positive outcomes and deserves further research. Blogging can signal a willingness to acknowledge a problem and seek support, which is a crucial step in coping.

My Conclusion.

“Blogs can function as safe spaces to share and read stories, and that might allow people to reframe their experiences and cope in more productive ways.”

This research affirms that blogging can be a powerful coping tool. Writing and reading about real experiences helps people feel less isolated and more supported, complementing traditional coping strategies like talking to friends or seeking help from schools. The study restores some faith in the blogosphere by highlighting how deeply personal, honest accounts can provide hope and companionship to those suffering from bullying.

When bullying feels overwhelming, having a supportive outlet can be lifesaving. That blogging can offer such an outlet is an encouraging and moving finding.

Coming Up Next Week – Personal style bloggers: the most popular visual composition principles and themes on Instagram.

Danielson, C.M. & Emmers-Sommer, T. 2017, “She Stopped Me From Killing Myself: Bullied Bloggers Coping Behaviors and Support Sources”, Health Communication, vol. 32, no. 8, pp. 977-986.