Cyberbullying is the use of technology, such as the internet and social media, to harass, intimidate, or harm someone. This type of bullying can take many forms, including sending mean or threatening messages, posting embarrassing photos or videos, or creating fake profiles to impersonate someone. Cyberbullying can be especially harmful because it can be done anonymously and can reach a wide audience quickly. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing false , negative, harmful, or mean content about someone else. It may include sharing of personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Sometimes it crosses, the line into unlawful or criminal behaviour.
The mentioned below are some common places where cyberbullying generally occurs : -
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Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok or any such other platforms
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Through text messaging and some messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices
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Instant or direct messaging, and online chat over the internet
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Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit etc.,
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Online gaming communities
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Through emails
Nowadays, with the prevalence of social media and digital forums, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers as well as acquaintances. The content an individual shares online, both their personal content as well as any negative, mean, or hurtful content creates a permanent public record of their views, activities, and behaviour. This public record can be thought of as an online reputation, that may be accessible to employers, educational institutes, clubs, and others who may be researching about an individual. It also harms the online reputations of everyone involved in or participating in it.
To hide their identity the bullies generally use fake profiles or anonymous accounts. It makes very difficult for the law enforcement authorities to trace the bully and make accountable for their actions.
There are steps that parents and educators can take to prevent and address this issue. One of the most important is to educate children and young adults about the dangers of cyberbullying and how to recognize it. Parents and educators should also monitor their children’s online activity and encourage them to be open and honest about any cyberbullying they may be experiencing. This can help parents and educators intervene early, before the situation escalates.
Another important step is to work with schools and law enforcement to develop policies and protocols for dealing with cyberbullying. This can include creating a system for reporting cyberbullying and ensuring that victims receive the support and resources they need to heal and move forward.
Cyberbullying is a threat to one's productivity, motivation level and creates mental stress. The primary objective of the course is to give a complete idea on cyberbullying, discuss different forms of cyber bullying and how to address them in an efficient manner. The course will also discuss about various causes of cyberbullying and the impacts like social, mental, and physical health of a person in detail along with the preventive and reporting mechanisms.
