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
Other reasons why kids bully:
To make themselves popular or to gain attention.
Because they’re jealous of you.
To look tough or feel powerful.
Because they’re being bullied themselves.
To escape their own problems.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
While there are many reasons why bullies may be targeting you, bullies tend to pick on people who are “different” or don’t fit in with the mainstream. While your individualism is something that you will celebrate later in life, it can seem like a curse when you’re young and trying to fit in. Perhaps you dress or act differently, or maybe your race, religion, or sexual orientation sets you apart. It may simply be that you’re new to the school or neighborhood and haven’t made friends yet.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Cyberbullying can be witnessed by potentially thousands of people. Emails can be forwarded to many, many people while social media posts or website comments can often be seen by anyone. The more far-reaching the bullying, the more humiliating it can become.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
A lot of cyberbullying can be done anonymously, so you may not be sure who is targeting you. This can make you feel even more threatened and can embolden bullies, as they believe online anonymity means they’re less likely to get caught. Since cyberbullies can’t see your reaction, they will often go much further in their harassment or ridicule than they would if they were face-to-face with you.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Cyberbullying can happen anywhere, at any time. You may experience it even in places where you’d normally feel safe, such as your home, and at times when you’d least expect it, like during the weekend in the company of your family. It can seem like there’s no escape from the taunting and humiliation.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Your physical health is likely to suffer, and you are at a greater risk of developing mental health problems such as depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, or adult onset PTSD.
You’re more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school to avoid being bullied.
In many cases, cyberbullying can be even more painful than face-to-face bullying because:
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
The effects of bullying and cyberbullying
Whether you’re being targeted by bullies or cyberbullies, the results are similar:
You’re made to feel hurt, angry, afraid, helpless, hopeless, isolated, ashamed, and even guilty that the bullying is somehow your fault. You may even feel suicidal.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
Because cyberbullying is so easy to perpetrate, a child or teen can easily change roles, going from cyberbullying victim at one point to cyberbully the next, and then back again.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
As with face-to-face bullying, both boys and girls cyberbully, but tend to do so in different ways. Boys tend to bully by “sexting” (sending messages of a sexual nature) or with messages that threaten physical harm. Girls, on the other hand, more commonly cyberbully by spreading lies and rumors, exposing your secrets, or by excluding you from social media groups, emails, buddy lists and the like.
Amit Devendra Ojha 6 years 3 months ago
The methods kids and teens use to cyberbully can be as varied and imaginative as the technology they have access to. they might range from sending threatening or taunting messages via email, text, social media, or IM, to breaking into your email account or stealing your online identity to hurt and humiliate you. Some cyberbullies may even create a website or social media page to target you.