CYBERBULLYING
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that happens over digital devices through social media platforms, apps, messages, or gaming platforms. The bullying can be in the form of negative comments, mean comments or harmful content about someone else which could cause distress, embarrassment or humiliation.
Common platforms for cyberbullying:
Social media- Facebook, Instagram, snapchat, and TikTok
Messaging services- Instant messaging, online chatting, SMS, messaging apps such as Messages and WhatsApp
Online forums- Chatrooms and message boards
Online gaming communities
Types of Cyberbullying
Spreading lies or untrue information about someone
Posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone
Sending threatening messages or images to someone
Impersonating someone and sending threatening messages through fake accounts.
When you harass someone constantly even though they do not want you to message them.
Why is cyberbullying such a big issue today?
As the world gets more digitalized and people post more information online including comments, photos, live updates, videos etc., the content can often be seen by friends and strangers alike. Therefore, the chance of negative and derogatory comments become more common and can harm the reputation of everyone involved.
Cyberbullying can be...
Permanent- As they say, once information gets on the internet, it is permanent and cannot be removed. Therefore, it leaves a digital footprint for an individual.
Continuous- As people are online more and more often, there would not be any downtime for the people experiencing cyber bullying.
Masked- Since cyberbullying happens in the virtual space, it might not be easily evident to people around you.
Anonymous - Very often, the bullying is anonymous and the person bullied may not know who is bullying them
Effects of cyberbullying:
Since cyber bullying can happen within the safety of one’s own home, it can have a long-term impact, and long-term effects. Cyber bullying can affect someone mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Physical effects- People end up losing sleep, getting anxiety head aches and in the worst case, they may even end up taking their own lives.
Emotional effects- People who are cyber bullied may lose interest in things, struggle to concentrate in school and start to withdraw themselves from their family and friends, and into a shell.
Mental effects- People can become anxious and nervous and increasingly feel lonely and isolated.
Ways to prevent cyberbullying...
The very first step in preventing cyber bullying is by managing your online use. Especially the use of social media platforms. All the major social media platforms have built in security in order to prevent unnecessary online communication. You can block, mute, increase privacy settings, or report cyber bullying.
You can also walk away from the bullying because walking away from a bully whether physically or digitally takes away their power. You can turn off the device and distract yourself by doing something you like. But it is always advisable to avoid retaliating or responding to the bully.
If the cyber bullying continues, you need to inform a responsible and trusted adult which could be family or a teacher.
There are also helplines which will allow the person to speak to someone anonymously.
There are laws against cyberbullying in some countries, but where such specific cyberbullying laws don’t exist, cyberbullying is also considered harassment and the laws against harassment can be used. If the cyberbullying is discriminatory against a persons race, gender, or religion, this could also lead to serious problems with the law.
Cyber laws in the UAE
Defamation is a criminal offence in the UAE where the person could get a fine and could also be imprisoned. Additionally, even taking un authorized pictures of people and sharing them without content can also be punishable. There are severe repercussions for any one engaging in cyberbullying here in the UAE.