The challenge for raising awareness: Cyber Bullying (Part 1)
Cyber bullying is a fast growing threat that even experts believe is more harmful than typical schoolyard bullying. Cyber bullying is often seen as anonymous, and the nature of the internet allows it to spread quickly to hundreds and thousands of people. Cyber bullying refers to bullying through selective information and communication technologies. Most of us are in touch via the internet or through mobile phones.
Click on the image to view the cyber bullying: a threat video
- Cyber bullies may use these forms:
- Chat rooms or instant messaging
- Online gaming sites
- Cell phones
- Discussion forums
- Latest trend social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Bebo and Orkut
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Other forms that cyber-bullying can take are the creation of fake blogs in the name of a victim which purport to be by the victim but which ridicule him or her. Such sites may use vulgarity, pornography and other forms of inflammatory discourse in an attempt to shame the victim.
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Some blogging platforms have been slow to recognize cyber-bullying as a problem and provide technical tools to combat such unwanted comments.
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Cyber Bullying is even possible in interactive online games such as RuneScape and Pokemon Netbattle, although it is usually easier to keep secure.
Schoolyard bullying may be traced by having witness but cyber bullying cannot be traced easily. Predators may be found in anyplace and in anytime. Now even home is no longer a refuge from the bullies. Children can escape from threats and abuse in the schoolyard, but how to avoid text messages and emails from the same teasers through internet.
In some cases, Cyber bullying can constitute criminal behavior. In extreme incidents, it has led teenagers to commit suicide. Most victims suffer shame, embarrassment, anger and depression.
These are the Warning Signs to know whether they are bullied:
- Neglecting family and friends
- Feeling empty, depressed and irritable
- Lying to family and friends about activities
- Inability to stop an activity
- Problems with school or work
- Disobedience with family
- Decreases in academic performance or school attendance
This article provides you the information on cyber bullying and its effects. In the forthcoming articles we will be continue the same topic and provide some of the real life incidents, and some tips on what to do, how to react etc…
Archana Shekar