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?
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Support
Recovering from the trauma of cyber bullying can be time-taking and hard. In such cases, the victim needs support and guidance. It could come from parents, peers, family members or teachers. If required, seek the help of a professional counselor.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Report
Most social media platforms have clear guidelines in place to report cyber bullying. Social media platforms can help you in having the offensive post removed. To report cyber bullying in India, you can send your complaint to complaint-mwcd@gov.in. Immediately register a complaint with the police in case your child is receiving sexual or physical threats, or you sense an illegitimate activity or crime underway.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Record
Try to maintain a record of the online activities. If possible, take screenshots of any offensive or harmful content or post. In any case, evidence of online activities is mandatory when reporting cyber bullying.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Conversation
Don’t try to sound too prying or demanding, but gently engage your ward in a conversation. Take him/her into confidence and try to understand what is happening, when it all started and who are all involved?
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Observe
Notice if there is any abnormal change in the behavior or mood. Try to self-investigate the causes and note if these changes usually take place during the use of digital devices.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
In the unfortunate event of your child experiencing cyber bullying, it is essential that you take prompt steps to show your support as well as report cyber bullying. The following are some of the things that you can do in case your child or kin is a victim of cyber bullying.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Tip 3 Steps to Prevent Cyber Bullying – Steps to Take in the Aftermath
If you observe any of the aforesaid warning signs, it may indicate your ward’s involvement in some form of cyber bullying.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Tip 2 to Prevent Cyber Bullying – Watch out for These Signs
The following are some warning signs that your child is being cyber bullied or is cyber bullying others.
Considerable increase or decrease in your child’s usage of a mobile, laptop or tablet
Display of emotional responses such as sadness, anger or happiness to the activities on their device
The tendency to avoid discussion on their online activities
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
As a parent, it is your responsibility to be aware of your child’s online activities in order to prevent cyber bullying. Be cognizant of the apps and digital media that your child is using. It is imperative that you ensure that your child engages more in offline activities than an addiction to computers, online gaming, and smartphones.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Tip 1 to Prevent Cyber Bullying – Be Wary of Your Child’s Online Activities
In this digital era, children are growing up with technology at their fingertips. Thus, different types of cyber bullying have become a household occurrence. Teenagers and adolescents are more vulnerable to cyber bullying as they have limited understanding of the good and the bad.