What is Cyberbullying? and how to stop it?

A 2020 statistic by the Pew Research Center revealed that nearly 64% of individuals under the age of thirty have experienced cyberbullying in the United States alone. Despite its prevalence, cyberbullying remains an alarming issue, as a single irresponsible click from a cyberbully can ruin someone’s reputation or inflict lasting psychological harm that may take years to overcome.

What is cyberbullying?

In essence, cyberbullying refers to the intentional and repeated harm inflicted on someone using electronic devices, such as mobile phones or computers. The harm inflicted through these devices is deliberate, not accidental or humorous, and is carried out with the intention of causing the victim as much distress and discomfort as possible. Cyberbullying is often manifested through text messages, social media, online platforms, or any other digital communication channel.

Common examples of this type of bullying include posting others’ photos or videos without their consent to embarrass or seek revenge and harassing them with insults, mockery, ridicule, and ostracising or ignoring them online, which exacerbates feelings of isolation and confusion. Additionally, cyberbullying can escalate when false rumours are spread about individuals, leading to humiliation and harm.

Other forms of social media bullying include creating fake accounts impersonating the victim to use them for unethical purposes, such as posting inappropriate photos to put the victim in embarrassing and difficult situations. Bullying can become more dangerous when anonymous sends threatening or criticism messages to harass and intimidate the victim.

These messages may be verbal attacks or contain inappropriate media that negatively impact the victim’s mental well-being. Another method involves violating privacy by leaking personal information, like phone numbers, to strangers, exposing the victim to further harassment and violation.

Addressing cyberbullying: best methods and tips

In many cases, cyberbullying leaves the victim feeling helpless, insecure, lonely, and isolated, accompanied by profound sadness, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is essential to take necessary actions and address cyberbullying appropriately in case of being exposed to it. Some of the most important measures include:

Confronting the bully if their identity is known

Confronting the bully directly without fear can be a good option if their identity is known, like a friend or relative. This allows for a clear discussion, firmly asking them to stop the harassment and refrain from causing further harm.

Ignoring the bully if they do not pose a significant threat

If the cyberbullying messages do not pose a significant threat to the victim and the bully’s intent appears to be merely causing annoyance, it may be best to ignore them and simply refrain from responding. In cases where such harassments occur via social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, utilising the block feature can be beneficial to prevent receiving such messages permanently.

Documenting and keeping evidence of the bullying 

It is essential for the victim to preserve evidence of cyberbullying incidents. This includes saving text messages, screenshots of relevant conversations, or audio recordings displaying the date and time. Such documentation can be crucial if legal action is required, as it provides concrete evidence that can be presented to the police or any other relevant authority against the bully.

Preventing strangers from accessing personal information online

Cyberbullies often exploit images and videos shared by victims on their personal social media accounts as a means of electronic harassment. This can involve taking, using or sharing these media without permission, making inappropriate modifications, or employing other methods that cause harm and distress. To prevent such misuse, activating appropriate privacy settings on social media accounts is crucial. This helps protect personal images and posts against unauthorised access by strangers, reducing the risk of cyberbullying.

Providing robust software protection on electronic devices

This encompasses all available measures, including using strong and secure passwords for personal accounts on social media platforms and online applications and games, to prevent unauthorised access and hacking by cyberbullies. Additionally, it is advisable to install effective protection software against such breaches and viruses in general.

Seeking help from a specialised person or entity

When facing cyberbullying, it is crucial to seek assistance from parents, peers, educators, counsellors, and relevant government authorities responsible for combating cybercrimes. Prompt actions are necessary, especially when cyberbullying poses a threat to the individual’s interests and overall safety. Victims should not fear retaliation from the bully upon disclosure, as specialised authorities are equipped to provide the necessary protection in such cases.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), residents can report cybercrimes through various channels. These include the “eCrime” website operated by Dubai Police, the “eCrime platform” managed by the UAE’s Ministry of Interior, and the “My Safe Society” app designed for reporting any crime or misconduct on social media platforms that threaten societal security or public morals.

References 

[1] mayoclinic.org, What is cyberbullying and how can it be prevented?
[2] techtarget.com, cyberbullying
[3] vic.gov.au, Cyberbullying
[4] kaspersky.com, Cyberbullying: What is it?
[5] wikihow.com, How to Stop Cyber Bullying
[6] u.ae,  السلامة السيبرانية والأمن الرقمي