Applicable Laws to Cyberbullying and

Other Help
by Sonnie | Cyber Wellness ToolBox, CyberBullying

Of the top 5 cybercrimes in 2020, at least 3 can

be associated with Cyber bullying.
 
 

 
 
The top five cybercrimes during the 7-month period of 2020 were online scams, online libel,
computer-related identity thefts, anti-photo and video voyeurism, and illegal access to
someone else’s online account.
 
While online libel is directly related to cyberbullying, the commission of identity theft, anti-
photo, and video voyeurism, and illegal access to someone else’s online account can also
result in online bullying.
 
 
What is cyberbullying
 
Let’s refer to Republic Act 10627 for the definition. Though this law is intended for minors,
we can lift the framework to get a working definition.
 
SEC. 2. Acts of Bullying
Any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic
expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another
student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of
physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at
 school for the other student; infringing on the rights of the other student at school, or
materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a
school;

 
 
When cyberbullying is not
 
Protected speech is not cyberbullying because the Philippine constitution guarantees free
speech and expression. So written, verbal, artistic, and creative expressions both in virtual
and real-world are protected unless it falls under cyber libel.
 
While we enjoy this freedom, it should not result in reputational, mental, physical, and
material harm to another person. Our human right ends when it encroaches on someone
else’s rights. Creating safe spaces is a co-responsibility of everyone
 
 

screen grab of Sonnie’s talk about (cyber)bullying

 
 
Likewise, cyber bullying can also be a consequence of one or a combination of the unlawful
acts defined in the anti-cybercrime law.
 
 
Different forms of online bullying
 
As technology evolves, new forms will emerged. As of this writing, below are different forms
of cyber bullying
 Cyber Lynching
 This is also known as group bullying or cyber mob. Group bullying may happen after
someone calls out a person for (1) actual abuse or injustice ex. abusadong professor“, (2)
when a person an offending opinion, ex. Manny Pacquiao’s belief on LGBT (3) when a
person spreads fake news.
 Canceling- this is akin to social bullying. It’s taking away the sense of acceptance or
belongingness of a person. .
 Impersonating
This is the creation of a false account or the hacking of the original account of the victim,
and the perpetrator will use this to humiliate and attack the victim. Also known as identity
theft
 Flaming – this is the use of angry, vulgar, and violent words against the victim
 Text Bullying (SMS/MMS)
This is the old school of cyberbullying but the second commonly used platform after
Facebook according to this survey.
 Dark Social – similar to text bullying, but this one uses messaging/ chat apps
 Creative Bullying