CYBERBULLYING

A Problem On The Rise

 WHAT IS CYBERBULLYING ?

Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital

technologies. It can take place on social media, messaging
platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones. It is
repeated behaviour, aimed at scaring, angering or shaming
those who are targeted.
-UNICEF
 Cyberbullying in India

When the bullying happens online with the help of technology it is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying in
India includes sharing private or personal information about someone which can cause embarrassment
to the person.

Place of occurrence of cyberbullying are as follows :

● Social Media ( Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc.)

● SMS (text messages from the cellular network)
● Instant Message Services (Whatsapp, Facebook messenger, I message, etc.)
● Email
How cyberbullying different from bullying in general :

Examples of CB: What isn’t CB:

● Excluding, isolating, or ● One off fights over the internet
● Physically Teasing
systematically ignoring ● Serious threats to harm or kill
● Intimidation/threats another person
● Harassment ● Libel
● Offensive or cruel messages/posts
● Impersonating victim
● Sharing private information or
embarrassing pics or videos or
Spreading rumors
 Examples of Cyberbullying

● spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone

on social media
● sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages, images or videos via
messaging platforms
● impersonating someone and sending mean messages to others on their
behalf or through fake accounts.
 What are the effects of cyberbullying?

When bullying happens online it can feel as if you’re being attacked everywhere, even inside your
own home. It can seem like there’s no escape. The effects can last a long time and affect a person
in many ways:

● Mentally – feeling upset, embarrassed, stupid, even afraid or angry

● Emotionally – feeling ashamed or losing interest in the things you love
● Physically – tired (loss of sleep), or experiencing symptoms like stomach aches and
headaches
Who should you talk to if someone is bullying you online?

If you think you’re being bullied, the first step is to seek help from someone you
trust such as your parents, a close family member or another trusted adult.

In your school you can reach out to a counsellor, the sports coach or your
favourite teacher – either online or in person.

And if you are not comfortable talking to someone you know, talk to a
professional counsellor via some cyber bullying helpline.
 Why is reporting important?

It can be helpful to collect evidence – text messages and screen shots of social media posts – to show what’s been
going on.

For bullying to stop, it needs to be identified and reporting it is key. It can also help to show the bully that their
behaviour is unacceptable.

If you are in immediate danger, then you should contact the police or emergency services in your country.

For bullying to stop, it needs to be identified and reporting it is key.

 How do we stop cyberbullying without giving up access to the
Internet?

Being online has so many benefits. However, like many things in life, it comes with risks that you need
to protect against.

When experiencing cyberbullying, you may want to delete certain apps or stay offline for a while to give
yourself time to recover. But getting off the Internet is not a long-term solution.

You did nothing wrong, so why should you be disadvantaged? It may even send the bullies the wrong
signal — encouraging their unacceptable behaviour.
We need to be thoughtful about what we share or say that may hurt others.

We need to be thoughtful about what we share or say that may hurt others. We need to be kind to one
another online and in real life. It's up to all of us!
 Cyberbullying vs Cyberstalking

There is no much difference between the offense of cyberbullying and

cyberstalking both relates to cyber harassment.
The difference between the two kinds of offense is the age of the offender
or the perpetrator of the crime. Cyberbullying or anti-bullying is an offense
done by the adolescent but when the same is done by a major it is known as
cyberstalking.
Legally, there is no difference between the two other than the age of the
offender thus cyberstalking is a form of cyberbullying only
 Facts and Statistics of Cyberbullying

● 1 in 4 kids have been bullied more than once and in total 43% of the kids have fallen prey to
cyberbullying or anti-bullying
● India ranks at number 3 in the list of online bullying cases as per the survey conducted by
Microsoft in 2012 in 25 countries

● 70% of the cyberbullying or anti-bullying activities happen over facebook

● Usage of mobile phones by almost 80% of the teens makes it a common and most popular medium
for anti-bullying
 Facts and Statistics of Cyberbullying
(contd.)

● It has been believed by the 81% of youth that getting away with online bullying is easy as
compared to traditional bullying
● 90% of teens agree that have ignored the cyberbullying while some of the youth has taken a
step to stop bullying
● Girls are more preferred victims of cyberbullying as compared to boys

● Victims of cyberbullying or anti-bullying are 2 to 9 times more prone to committing suicide

 Cyberbullying laws in India

There is no specific legislation that provides for the specific

cyberbullying laws in India however provisions such as Section 67 of
the Information Technology Act deals with cyberbullying in a way.
Section 67 of the act prescribes punishment for publishing or
transmitting obscene material in electronic form for a term which may
extend to five years and also with fine which may extend to ten lakh
rupees.
 Other provisions of the cyberbullying laws in India:

● Section 507 IPC - The section states that if anyone receives criminal intimidation
by way of an anonymous communication then the person giving threats shall be
punished with imprisonment for up to two years. By virtue of word anonymous the
offense of anti-bullying and cyberbullying is included in this section.

● Section 66 E of IT Act - The section prescribes punishment for violation of

privacy. The section states that any person who intentionally violates the privacy
by transmitting, capturing or publishing private pictures of others shall be
punished with up to three years imprisonment or fine up to three lakhs.
 How to Stop Bullying?

Do not respond or retaliate - Sometimes all the perpetrators are looking for is a
reaction as according to them by responding to them you are giving them power
over and you and if you don’t respond or retaliate you are in fact curbing their
power. The best way is to disconnect yourself from this situation or distract the
person who is bullying you. If the problem persists you can consult the famous
cyber crime lawyers and the law enforcement agencies for your protection
 How to Stop Bullying?

Keep the evidence save - In the cases of cyberbullying the only positive aspect for the
victim is that they can capture and save the evidence of cyberbullying and can show
the same for proving that they have fallen prey to the offense of cyberbullying. It
becomes important to keep all the pieces of evidence such as messages, posts,
comments saved. Additionally, you can also contact the concerned authority against
cyber bullying. For instance, if somebody is harassing you on facebook you can either
report or block the person or can even contact the facebook authorities regarding the
same. Many websites have a no-tolerance policy and if your complaint against them
they will take it down.
 How to Stop Bullying?

Reach out for help - When the bully is not stopping and is continuously bullying
you reach out to the best cyber crime India lawyers for help. They will not only
advise you but will help you in the entire procedure and will get out of the
situation of cyberbullying. They will listen to you, process your situation, help
and assist you to work through it.

Use technology - Most social media apps provide the option of either reporting a
person or blocking a person who has been harassing you. This might not end the
problem instantly but when the bully founds out that he has been blocked or
reported he might end it.
 How to Stop Bullying?

Protect your account safe- Never share your passwords, anyone? Sounds
familiar? To stop bullying do not give passwords to anyone not even to your
closest friends. Always keep your phones and accounts password protected
and do not let anybody to snoop through your sensitive information.
“Cyber bullies can hide behind a mask of anonymity
online, and do not need direct physical access to their
victims to do unimaginable harm.”

~ Anna Maria Chavez

THE END