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
At that time, little did a 20-year-old student from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, imagine that her online campaign against the violence would change her life forever? The student, Gurmehar Kaur, has ever since been trolled and abused extensively on social media platforms. Worse still, she has even been receiving death and rape threats!
This is just another example of the ugly state of cyber bullying in India. Sadly, each day yet another innocent life is subject to online torments and cyber bull
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Some Horrifying Incidents of Cyber Bullying in India
In November 2017, an MBBS student in Kerala jumped to her death from the highest floor of her college building. An examination of her Facebook profile showed her displeasure over the nasty comments made one of her peers. Police suspect that cyber bullying provoked her to take this extreme step.
In February 2017, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) attacked students at a literary event in Delhi’s Ramjas College.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
The same study ranks India as the country facing the highest cyber bullying in the Asia Pacific region, more than Australia and Japan.
In fact, 50% of women residing in prime Indian cities are a victim of online abuse, according to a survey by Feminism.
Spurred by the increasing cases of cyber bullying in India, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a distinct helpline (complaint-mwcd@gov.in) to report cyber bullying,
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Cyber Bullying in India
With increasing availability of affordable data services and social media presence, cyber bullying in India has witnessed an alarming rise.
According to research conducted by Symantec, nearly 8 out of 10 individuals are subject to the different types of cyber bullying in India. Out of these around 63% faced online abuses and insults, and 59% were subject to false rumors and gossips for degrading their image.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Also, one should be aware of “doxing” here. It is a practice prevalent on the Internet for researching and publishing personal information about an individual. One obtains information from the person’s social media accounts and other online profiles. It is then used for online harassment, online defamation and other forms of cyber bullying.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Issuing online threats provoking an individual to kill themselves or hurt someone else
Triggering religious, racial, ethnic or political vitriol online by posting hate comments or content
Faking an identity online to ask for or post personal or fake information about someone
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Different Types of Cyber Bullying
A cognizance of the different types of cyber bullying is necessary. This enables parents and young adults to report cyber bullying and adopt measures to prevent cyber bullying. Following are some of the common types of cyber bullying:
Posting hurtful, nasty or humiliating rumors or comments about an individual online
Publishing an embarrassing or nasty photo or video
Creating a fake or nasty webpage about another individual
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
The different types of cyber bullying involve causing humiliation through hateful comments on online platforms/apps, or through SMS or messaging. It comprises posting, sending or sharing negative, nasty or false information about another individual for causing humiliation and character assassination.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Cyber bullying is the harassment or bullying executed through digital devices like computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. The platforms where cyber bullying can occur include social media, chat rooms, and gaming platforms where people can view and participate in the sharing of content.
Bhawna 6 years 6 months ago
Do you find your child to be crankier off late or too addicted to the smartphone or desktop? Has he/she become more insular and refuses to socialize? As parents, it can be quite concerning to notice these sudden, unnatural changes in their child’s behavior. Beware! Your child may be experiencing one of the different types of cyber bullying.