Article by CWEP
There are many definitions of cyberbullying but one of the simplest is given by UNICEF which states that „cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies”.
It is characterised by repeated behaviour which aims at frightening, embarrassing, discrediting and causing other, unpleasant effects towards those who are targeted.
One of the most popular forms of cyberbullying is usage of someone’s image.
It concerns situation, in which a picture or a video with somebody becomes a tool of cyberbullying.
The oppressors can obtain various photos and videos in different ways but the most common are the two provided below:
1) They can take the picture or record the video themselves. It most often happens without any knowledge nor any consent, and sometimes it is being done even against the will of the person or group of persons concerned.
2) They can obtain the picture or video by copying them directly from some place on the Internet (most popular place is social media).
In majority of cases it happens that Internet users are unaware of the dangers of posting their photos on the Internet. People tend to often publish various materials on social networks, blogs and similar sites that are publically available. They want to show friends how they live, what they do or how they look like (especially when friends are not being seen for years) and don’t think that by doing this, they might harm themselves or their families. The materials obtained by oppressors from the Internet are later posted also on the Internet but usually there are certain places like specially created profiles, accounts or blogs. The uploaded materials are often accompanied by unwanted and unpleasant comments for the owner of given image.
Some concrete examples of cyberbullying include the following:
- spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos of someone on social media accounts
- sending hurtful messages or threats via various messaging platforms, usually as anonymous sender
- impersonating someone and sending mean messages to others on their behalf.
The effects of cyberbullying can have tremendous and dangerous results for the victim, especially in the psychological area. Therefore it is important to educate people about the cyberbullying and about the importance of being very careful when publishing own content in the Internet.