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Cyberbullying, also known as virtual harassment, is the use of digital media to harass or bully an individual or group of people through personal attacks, disclosure of personal information or false information, etc. This can be done on social networks, media platforms, gaming platforms and cell phones. It is a repetitive behavior designed to intimidate, annoy, or embarrass.
Any threat sent to another person electronically is considered as cyberbullying. Any explicit images intended to hurt others too. In addition, the concept of sexting often falls under cyberbullying laws too.
Cyberbullying involves any threat sent to another person electronically, any explicit images intended to hurt others and sexting often falls under cyberbullying laws too. Specifically, these are the main activities related to cyberbullying:
- Malicious comments or rumors spread on social networks, email, or SMS
- Using the victim’s password to access the victim’s account and impersonate the victim or post embarrassing messages about them
- Posting an embarrassing video of someone.
- Threaten someone through the real-time gaming system.
- Sending harmful, offensive, or threatening messages, images, or videos through messaging platforms.
- Sending sexist messages often falls under cyberbullying laws.
What is “Sexting”?
Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit photos, messages, and videos in the form of text messages or emails. According to a study by the “National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unintended Pregnancy“(2008), 39% of teenage girls admitted to receiving and sending sexually explicit text messages, including nude or semi-nude body photos, obscene text messages, and pornographic videos.
REMINDER: Bullying and cyberbullying often go together. However, cyberbullying leaves a digital mark, a record that can be useful and provide evidence to help prevent abuse.
The consequences of the cyberbullying are heartbreaking. A person may be mentally traumatized by feelings of fear, anger, discomfort, and shame. Victims may be emotionally hurt from embarrassment or lose motivation. The physical aspect is also important as this type of Internet abuse can cause stomachaches and headaches for the victim.
Feeling ridiculed or harassed by others can prevent people from talking or trying to solve problems. In severe case s, online bullying can even lead to suicide.
If you are concerned about your safety or what happens to you online, you can call your national helpline. If there is no hotline available in your country, talk to a trusted adult immediately or seek professional assistance from someone with experience and trained expertise.
Cyberbullying can affect us in many ways. But they can be overcome, and people will regain their confidence and their health. For this to happen, a good media education is necessary for all the media users regarding the age range.
Anyone can become a victim of cyberbullying. If you see this happening to someone from your close circle, try to support them. And by speaking out against the perpetrator, you are also contributing for this situation to not to happen again and to have other victims.
The education of the adult population is as important as the one of the young users. Adults turn to be the educators of the upcoming generations and they should receive an education based on the respect on the basic human rights to avoid and fight against cyberbullying.
Bibliography
Cyberbullying and Sexting on Social Media. (2017). Smarter. Retrieved 21st March 2022, from http://archive.ncpc.org/programs/living-safer-being-smarter/surfing-safer/cyberbullying-and-sexting-on-social-media.html#fn3
Cyberbullying: What is it and how to stop it. (2020). Unicef. Retrieved 21st March 2022, from https://www.unicef.org/end-violence/how-to-stop-cyberbullying#2