Cyberbullying is a criminal offence that can have serious legal consequences. What is termed as Cyberbullying? - when someone uses digital technology, such as the internet, emails, text messages, or social media, to harass, threaten, or humiliate a person. Almost anyone with an internet connection or mobile phone can cyberbully others, often without having to reveal the true identity.
Cyberbullying can occur anywhere, even at home, via smartphones, emails, texts, and social media etc. It doesn’t require face-to-face contact, physical power or strength in numbers. Most adolescents engaged on at one type of social media had been victims of cyberbullying, reportedly through several media outlets used such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. From threatening or taunting messages via email, text, social media, or spreading lies and rumours, exposing your secrets etc. cyberbullies tend to perpetrate the crime in numerous ways.
The effects of bullying can be ravaging and may exacerbate to mental health consequences and suicide among adolescents, particularly teens who have suffered previous emotional abuse. The victims may withdraw from family, friends or undergo a drastic drop in grades. They may show changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, appetite, or show signs of depression and anxiety, avoid discussions or is secretive about the cell phone or computer activities.
Cyberbullying is significantly correlated with symptoms of anger, depression and dissociation, and also social media use or histories of adverse early life abuse. It's important to take steps to cease hostile behaviours before it has long-term consequences on an individual.
MyGov Arunachal seeks suggestions from the citizens on how to tackle the issues regarding cyberbullying?
Ramakrishna Lakshmanan 6 years 5 months ago
Awareness needs to be created about this menace and its impact on the citizens. This issue needs multi-pronged response both from within the society and from the government. This issue needs to be handled sensitively as, it has far-reaching effects both on the victim as well as on the person committing these crimes. Counseling sessions needs to be held and parents also shall be involved to understand the mindset of the child and victims need to feel assured that they can recover from this.