In modern times, bullies have received more platforms for bullying their targets than just workplace, playground, and school; all thanks to the Internet. The various digital platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have made it very easy for bullies to reach their targets and harass or molest them without even meeting them in-person. This is the negative power of the Internet. Although a reputed and experienced cyberbullying lawyer can help you in your claim of cyberbullying, yet it is important to prevent such things at the first place.
In this digitized era, both kids and adults need to be online in order to fulfill their respective tasks. They even need to socialize with people whom they have not met before or who are complete strangers. All these are enough to make them vulnerable to online bullies.
In order to keep yourself or your associates safe from cyberbullying, it is important for you to know what this social evil actually is, why it should be eradicated, and how a full stop can be put to it.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is nothing but online harassment. An act of cyberbullying can be defined as every bullying practice that takes place through or gets promoted by electronic communication and technology use.
Online bullies usually try to harass or abuse their targeted victims in a deliberate manner and through repeated attempts. This can include posting rumors or negative comments about somebody, sending embarrassing pictures or texts, and threatening to cause harm online or offline.
As the use of technology is increasing rapidly, social interaction is becoming entwined with cyberspace. This, in turn, is triggering cyberbullying and making it a matter of national as well as an international concern.
In such a complicated and complex scenario, it is important for adults as well as children to understand the in-depth meaning of cyberbullying and learn how to identify such an act and deal with it effectively. As a responsible citizen, it is also our responsibility to support any of our associates who experience cyberbullying and take necessary steps to curb this social evil. Furthermore, it is important for the victims of cyberbullying to learn that they should not stay quiet and report such incidents and consult a good cyberbullying lawyer for the necessary assistance.
Why Cyberbullying Should Be Stopped?
Cyberbullying is not as easy as turning off your computer. It is far more complex and has the ability to result in serious scenarios if not handled properly from the very beginning. Furthermore, bullying can result in long-term issues for the bullied individual. The cyberbullying victim can face problems at the workplace or school. According to past records, many bullied individuals tend to develop mental illnesses such as depression, which in turn leads to the use of drugs and attempt to suicide. Cyberbullying has the power to disturb the life of not only the victim but also his/her family members and associates.
Often the disturbed minds of the bullied individuals also turn them into bullies in the long-run. Bullies can end up disrupting their own personal and work life by getting lawsuits filed against them and indulging in domestic assaults and harassment as well.
How to Prevent Cyberbullying?
- Talk
According to the psychologists, the most effective method to help children, students, employees, or peers to come out of a cyberbullying incident is to encourage them to talk.
It is also the responsibility of the parents to talk to their children about what cyberbullying is, do they know somebody who has been or is being harassed online, and what they must do if/when they identify acts of online bullying.
- Keep a Check on Online Activity
Fortunately, cyberbullying has an advantage – it can be noticed easily and the evidence can be saved. Hence keep your eyes open and be alert enough to keep proof of the online abuse you experience. This can help the victims in winning their cyberbullying claims.
- Try to Develop a Positive Environment
School authorities can possibly do a lot for preventing cyberbullying. Teachers can conduct parents’ meetings regularly and also consider sending newsletters. Schools can also have a forum on their website that can allow parents to discuss the issues related to their children.
- Engage Youth and Parents
Any responsible citizen can come up and build an online community for common people including parents and send unified messages and posters against cyberbullying. This can help in making more and more people aware of online bullying, its effect, and ways to stay safe online.
The Bottom Line
Curbing bullying is important for the bullies, as well as the bullied individuals as the future, seems dark for both the entities. Online bullying that is not curbed in adolescence may turn into both online or offline abuse in adulthood and can, in turn, invite serious implications in terms of the law. Hence, it is important for every individual of the society to understand the cyberbullying laws and do his/her part for curbing this social evil.
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