Cyberbullying: When ground reality shifts to virtual space

What is cyber bullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over the cell phones, tablets, computers or any other digital devices. It can occur through texts, messages, video chat etc. It can occur on social media, in gaming and in forums. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone or causing embarassment or humiliation. Sometimes cyberbullying crosses the line and can be treated as unlawful or criminal behaviour. 

Causes

Cyberbullying can take place due various causes some of are:

First is the most common cause which is done by a person who has been cyberbullied once and want to take the revenge so they try to find out the person who is weaker than them and they use different social media handles and different websites to bully them.

Second there are the persons who want their entertainment so they used to cyberbully the people and due to this reason sometimes the victim used to commit suicide.

Third there are some people who want to blackmail or want something from their batchmates or colleagues so they try to cyberbully and ask for that particular thing they want and blackmail them by using some of their personal or private information.

Harmful Effects on human life

There are various harmful effects that can be there if the person is cyberbullied some of the effects are:-

1. A person might lose social behaviour and start avoiding friends and attending social events.

2. A person may become more quiet and keep withdrawn.

3. Due to cyberbullying a person may start drooping his/her grades in the class.

4. He/she starts skipping school or express a desire to skip school.

5. He/she starts to hate their phones and computers.

6. A person may start taking drugs and alcohol.

7. He/she start talking about suicide.

8. Isolating him/her in their room more than usual.

9. It becomes difficult to concentrate on the school work.

10. Lose interest on the activities that they usually enjoy.

11. Become angry when they look into their phone, tablet or computer screens.

12. Avoid to use the phones.

13. Express dark thoughts and emotions.

Prevention

1. Acknowledge cyberbullying and discuss with children and teens exactly what it is and why it’s so harmful.

2. Look for signs of withdrawal, anxiety, depression, irritability, and other changes in behavior. This could indicate cyberbullying or other harassment.

3. Be cautious about access to computers, phones, and social media accounts.

4. Have teens block cyberbullies if they are being repeatedly contacted by someone who is trying to demean, humiliate, or harass them.

5. Provide resources such as counseling and hotline assistance for teens who need it.

6. Create expectations around online conduct—teens should not send or circulate harmful content including messages, photos, or videos, even in retaliation.

7. Remind teens to avoid sending or posting anything they would not want shared with all of their classmates.

8. Teach young people to safeguard their passwords and personal details online.

9. Encourage teens to stand up to others who are being harassed, and to report cyberbullying they may witness.