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?
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Find others who share your same values and interests. You may be able to make friends at a youth group, book club, or religious organization. Learn a new sport, join a team, or take up a new hobby such as chess, art, or music. Or volunteer your time—helping others is a great way to feel better about yourself and expand your social network.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
If you’re new to a school or neighborhood, or don’t feel that you have anyone to turn to, there are lots of ways to make new friends. It may not always seem like it, but there are plenty of people who will love and appreciate you for who you are.
Unplug from technology. Taking a break from your smartphone, computer, tablet, and video games can open you up to meeting new people.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
If you’re new to a school or neighborhood, or don’t feel that you have anyone to turn to, there are lots of ways to make new friends. It may not always seem like it, but there are plenty of people who will love and appreciate you for who you are.
Unplug from technology. Taking a break from your smartphone, computer, tablet, and video games can open you up to meeting new people.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Find support from those who don’t bully
When you’re being bullied, having trusted people you can turn to for encouragement and support will ease your stress and boost your self-esteem and resilience. Talk to a parent, teacher, counselor, or other trusted adult—it doesn’t mean that you’re weak or there’s something wrong with you. And reach out to connect with real friends (those who don’t participate in any kind of bullying)
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Spend time doing things you enjoy. The more time you spend with activities that bring you pleasure—sports, hobbies, hanging out with friends who don’t participate in bullying, for example—the less significance bullying or cyberbullying will have on your life.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Learn to manage stress. Finding healthy ways to relieve the stress generated by bullying can make you more resilient so you won’t feel overwhelmed by negative experiences. Exercise, meditation, positive self-talk, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises are all good ways to cope with the stress of bullying.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t make a bullying incident worse by dwelling on it or reading cyberbullying messages over and over. Instead, delete any messages and focus on the positive experiences in your life. There are many wonderful things about you so be proud of who you are.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Don’t blame yourself. It is not your fault. No matter what a bully says or does, you should not be ashamed of who you are or what you feel. The bully is the person with the problem, not you.
Try to view bullying from a different perspective. The bully is an unhappy, frustrated person who wants to have control over your feelings so that you feel as badly as they do. Don’t give them the satisfaction.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
How to deal with a bully
There is no simple solution to bullying or cyberbullying, or a foolproof way to handle a bully. But since bullying or cyberbullying is rarely limited to one or two incidents—it’s far more likely to be a sustained attack over a period of time—like the bully, you may have to be relentless in reporting each and every bullying incident until it stops. Remember: there is no reason for you to ever put up with any kind of bullying.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Whatever the reasons for you being targeted, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many of us have been bullied at some point in our lives. In fact, about 25 percent of kids experience bullying, and as many as one third of teenagers suffer from cyberbullying at some point. But you don’t have to put up with it. There are plenty of people who can help you overcome the problem, retain your dignity, and preserve your sense of self