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TikTok: How do Charli and Dixie D'Amelio deal with online bullying?

charli-and-dixie-damelio.Image source, Getty Images
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The sisters have faced cyberbullying on the social media app TikTok

The D'Amelio sisters have been speaking out about online bullying - including on TikTok.

Charli and Dixie have become huge names on the video platform - which has an age restriction of 13.

Charli D'Amelio has more than 88 million followers and is the most followed star on the app while her older sister Dixie has a fan base of 38.8 million. But along with their newfound fame, they've also faced cyberbullying.

"A lot of people around my age, some younger, some older, are the prime ages for most types of bullying," said Charli in a recent interview with Seventeen magazine.

"We all need to be more conscious of the things we say about people because it can really affect them…. As a society, we definitely need to be more careful with our words and make sure we are treating people with kindness."

Dixie has also criticised people who she said "bullied" UK singer Taio Cruz off TikTok.

Image source, Getty Images

Charli has been very vocal about people who criticise the way others look and she hopes to help fans dealing with issues around body image.

Dixie has also faced bullying online, and she's come up with her own way of dealing with some of the hateful things people say.

As a society, we definitely need to be more careful with our words and make sure we are treating people with kindness

— Charli D'Amelio, Seventeen magazine

"I have all my comments off so I don't really get mean ones," said the 19-year-old.

"But I usually just make a joke out of it or ignore it, because it doesn't matter. They don't know who you are as a person so it's not worth my time to argue with someone or defend myself."

Taio Cruz quits TikTok

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Taio Cruz was only on TikTok for a matter of days before deleting his account.

Other people on Tiktok have also complained that they've had negative messages on the app, including singer Taio Cruz who has announced he is quitting TikTok "for good" - just a week after joining.

The musician, whose hits include Dynamite and Break Your Heart, said he had been targeted by "hateful" videos and comments.

"My intention was to make some fun videos and interact with my fans, but some, whom I won't mention, were averse to that.

"For my own mental health, I would rather be where I'm welcomed, for now, TikTok is not that place. Social media shouldn't be like this, sadly it is."

Dixie D'Amelio spoke up in his defence saying: "This makes me so sad... Y'all bullied a legit music artist off TikTok in under a week… WHAT??? Just be nice."

TikTok says it is investigating what happened.

We're a huge fan of Taio and are extremely disappointed he has experienced negativity from a limited number of users. TikTok is a safe space for our community and we have a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment.

— TikTok spokesperson

How to deal with online bullying

Online bullying is when people use the internet, phones or any other technology to threaten, tease or embarrass others.

It can happen in a number of different ways.

The most important thing that you can do to deal with online bullying - if you are worried that you or anybody you know is being affected - is to speak to an adult that you trust about it.

Image source, Getty Images
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Bullies can use social media to be nasty to other people

That might be a teacher at school or a member of your family.

They can help to advise you about the next steps to take if you have any concerns.

Click here for advice from Â鶹Éç Own It on how to handle online bullying.

If you are worried about online bullying, you can also call ChildLine for free on 0800 1111.