Board Thread:News, Announcements and Important Topics/@comment-4565782-20131220124609/@comment-27885184-20140402173113

You could try to explain that it's not particularly realistic. You can't simply avoid people because you're afraid they won't accept you. If you do, you'll end up keeping a distance and never get to know people because you're too cautious.

And online bullying is not exactly the same as real bullying. If somebody says something mean or hurtful to you, you can block them. You can close the window on your computer and walk away. It'll still hurt a bit, but remember that those people judging you online don't actually know anything about you, and they're just making assumptions, so their opinion doesn't matter.

Maybe you should try making some friends on those sites? Try explaining to your mom, the internet can be a very friendly environment, like the real world, even though it has its ups and downs. However, you can interact with anyone anywhere so you can find more people like yourself, and also it's a great way for shy people to make friends.

But like I said before, I think the best advice I can offer for an over-cautious parent is to offer to walk her through it?? If you tell her and keep her up to date on everything you're doing, she won't have to worry. If it's really necessary, I have a friend with an overprotective mom who would only allow her to have a Facebook if her mother had access to it. Most people generally don't want to give their parents their password, but if you're all out of options, maybe if she was able to see everything you're doing, she would see it's alright and nothing to worry about? Of course, I don't know anything about your mother, so this might not be the best choice. But depending on your situation it might be an option.

Either way, if you keep her up-to-date on everything you're doing, and talk very openly about it without hiding anything, she shouldn't have to worry.

And I got bullied a lot in high school myself. Bullies are just people who put down other people to make themselves feel better. Don't ever forget that you're better than them, because you're a good person who wouldn't ever make people feel that way. Try not to let it get to you too much, even if it hurts a bit. And remember while there will always be people like that, there'll also be people who will support you. I'm sure your mother is one of them, for example (in the way that she has your best interests at heart).

DeviantArt is also relatively friendly. I've never had an issue there myself, and I've been on for years. Maybe she'd feel more comfortable if you had a friend on there? You can add me if you like. C:

Hope my advice could be helpful, in some way!