Cyberbullying

Together we can stop Cyberbullying!

By Ema Ganivatu

Cyberbullying, also known as cyber harassment, is an electronic form of bullying or harassment. Online bullying includes cyberbullying and cyber harassment. As the digital environment has grown and technology has evolved, it has become more widespread, particularly among youth. Posting rumors, threats, sexual remarks, a victim's personal information, or derogatory labels are all examples of harmful bullying conduct. Cyberbullying frequently exists in the form of relationship problems, such as the termination of a friendship or romance, the envy of a peer's success, or biased intolerance of specific groups based on gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability. Bullying has been linked to negative effects on children's and young people's emotional health in numerous studies. There has been an increase in incidences of cyberbullying from all around the world in recent years. Victimized/traumatized children as young as 6 to 7 years old, but typically teenagers. Most young people who are cyberbullied are already being bullied in traditional, face-to-face ways, according to studies. Cyberbullying can infiltrate a target's life at any time of day or night, and there is evidence that targets of cyberbullying face additional hazards, such as damage to self-esteem, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. 

The following are the most prevalent places where cyberbullying occurs: 

• Social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Messenger.
• Text messaging or any messaging apps on devices.
• Email
• Online Gaming 
• Phone Calls

Bullies won't stop until they are stopped!

The most basic strategy to deal with cyberbullying is to try to prevent it from happening in the first place whether at school, community, in church, or out in the public, as well as exposure to a variety of informative websites. Parents can help avoid this by prohibiting access to certain websites and establishing age-appropriate computer and internet usage limitations. Another point worth stating is that young individuals are more likely to find confiding in peers beneficial. Establishing awareness programs and services, implementing anti-bullying measures, and team-building programs in the student body and community.

However, it appears that to solve the problem of cyberbullying, we must first understand the networks and social groups in which this type of abuse occurs, as well as the role that digital worlds play in young people's emotional lives today, as well as the disturbing fact that cyber victims can be targeted at any time and from any location, thus increasing their vulnerability. External measures have their place, but we must also remember that cyberbullying is an interpersonal issue. 

One of the reasons reporting cyberbullying is so crucial is that we all want it to end. However, developing the Internet we want entails more than simply condemning bullying. We must be cautious about what we share or say that may cause harm to others. We must be kind to one another both online and in person. It is up to each and every one of us!