Are you aware of cyberbullying? Let's talk about it!

These days, almost everyone uses the internet. We cannot do many things without the internet, such as talking to friends, learning new things, and having fun. But through this internet, we can also get into trouble in unexpected ways. Cyberbullying is such a dangerous and very disturbing thing. Let's talk about this in detail today.

What is cyberbullying?

Simply put, cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, intimidate, embarrass, or target someone. This includes online threats, abusive text messages, tweets, Facebook posts, or WhatsApp messages. It also includes posting personal information, pictures, or videos online with the intent to hurt or embarrass someone.

Imagine, if someone edited a photo of you without your permission and posted it on social media as a joke, or if they made up a lie about you and spread it among their friends, how hard would it be for you? That's what falls into this category. Not only that, but if someone posts a photo of you or a message that makes you uncomfortable online and doesn't remove it even after you ask them to remove it, that's also cyberbullying. In short, anything you post online that is intended to hurt, annoy, or upset another person falls into this category.

Discrimination is also part of this!

There is another thing, targeting someone's gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, or physical differences to intimidate or speak badly about them is considered discrimination. This is a punishable offense in some countries. This means that the police can also intervene in this, and those who harass can face serious penalties.

Why is cyberbullying so serious?

Now, why is this online harassment so severe and heartbreaking?

• It's easy to hide: Often it's hard to find out who's doing these things, which means they can be done anonymously . Being able to do these things while hiding online gives the bully a sense of empowerment. Sometimes they even create `fake accounts` to do these things.
• Hard to control: This is also very hard to control. The person being bullied doesn't even know how many people, maybe hundreds, thousands of people, have seen that message or post. It can spread very quickly.
• It doesn't stop: You may have to suffer from this pain every time you look at your phone or computer. It's like a 24/7 pain without a break. You may lose your freedom even when you're at home.
• It's easy to do: Online bullying is easier to do than other forms of bullying because the bully doesn't have to come face to face with the other person. They can do it without any fear or suspicion.

What are the consequences of cyberbullying?

This is not a game. Cyberbullying can cause life-threatening problems.

What happens to the person being bullied?

Sometimes, like other forms of bullying, online bullying can lead to serious, long-term problems . This can lead to constant anxiety and fear:

• Your mood may change. You may feel sad or angry all the time.
• The body's energy level may decrease. You may lose interest in anything.
• Sleep problems may occur. You may not be able to sleep, or you may have nightmares .
• Appetite may change. You may feel hungry or tempted to eat more than you want.

It can also make someone feel overwhelmed, anxious, or lonely and helpless. If someone is already depressed or anxious , cyberbullying can make those feelings worse. Children who are bullied may have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork, which can affect their learning and test scores. Some may even refuse to go to school.

There are consequences for the bully too!

It's not just the person being bullied who gets hurt. The penalties for cyberbullying can be severe. Many schools are now implementing systems to address cyberbullying, such as after-school programs. Schools can remove bullies from sports teams or suspend them from school. Some types of cyberbullying can be a violation of school rules, anti-discrimination laws , or sexual harassment laws. So, the bully can face serious legal problems. This can be a dark spot in the future.

Why do people do this?

Why might someone engage in cyberbullying? Actually, there can be as many reasons as there are people who bully.

• Ignorance: Sometimes, what appears to be online harassment can happen without you even realizing it. The impersonal nature of online communication, such as text messages and posts, can make it difficult to tell if someone is joking or not. Words can be misinterpreted.
• Show off your power: Some people do these things to show off their power in front of their friends and to show off their power.
• Jealousy and anger: Some people do things like this to get revenge for jealousy or anger they have with another person.
• Thinking it's for fun: Some people think it's just for fun. But they don't think about how much pain it causes the other person.

But, most people know whether they are being bullied or not. Because bullying is repeated insults or threats . Even the bullies know they have crossed a line. This is not a one-time joke or a bad story told in anger – this is ongoing harassment and threats that go beyond the usual banter.

What can you do if you are being cyberbullied?

Sometimes people are afraid, or they're not even sure if they're being bullied or not. So they don't do anything about it. If someone is bullying you, harassing you, or making hurtful jokes – or if you know someone who is – you don't have to suffer in silence. In fact, you should definitely report any text, message, post, or email that makes you feel uncomfortable.

1. Tell someone

Many experts say that the first thing to do is to tell an adult you trust. This is not as easy as it sounds. People who are being cyberbullied may feel embarrassed or reluctant to tell their abuser. Some people may hesitate to speak up because they don't know exactly who is bullying them. But bullying can get worse, so keep talking until you get help. Sometimes the police can track down an anonymous online bully. So it's worth reporting it.

Many parents want to protect their children, so they sometimes try to stop bullying. If you are being bullied and are worried that you will lose your phone or computer, tell your parents about your fears. Make them understand how important it is for you to stay connected with others. Work with them to find a way to solve this problem without feeling like you are being punished. You may need to talk to them and come to an agreement about safe phone and computer use. The most important thing is to get the bullying under control first.

You can talk to your school counselor , a trusted teacher, or a family member. If the bullying is causing you a lot of stress (for example, it's affecting your sleep or concentration), therapy may be helpful. Even if you're not ready for it, it's important to have the support of a trusted adult.

2. Get out.

You've probably heard of walking away from a bully in real life. That same strategy works in the virtual world too . Ignoring bullies is the best way to break their power. But doing this online, as in real life, isn't always easy.

If you see something that bothers you, step away from the computer for a while, or turn off your phone. Don't respond, and never forward the message to anyone else. Find something to distract you from what's happening. Do something you enjoy that takes your mind off what's happening - like playing the guitar, going for a run, or getting lost in a book or movie. Or talk to a parent, a sibling, or a pet.

3. Control your desire for revenge.

When you're being bullied online, taking a break can give you space and reduce the urge to respond or engage with the bully. Responding when you're angry can make things worse. (Standing up to a bully can sometimes work, but it often just makes them angrier and escalates the situation.) Taking a break can put the power back in your hands!

While it's best not to respond to someone who is bullying you, it's a good idea to keep evidence of the bullying if possible. It can help you prove your case if necessary. You don't have to keep abusive emails, texts, and other communications where you'll always see them – you can screenshot them, give them to a parent, or put them on a flash drive .

4. Report and block harassment

Social media sites (like Facebook and Instagram) take it very seriously when someone posts bad, hurtful things, or creates fake accounts. If users report abuse, the site administrator can block the harasser from using the site in the future. If someone is sending you abusive texts or emails, report it to your phone service provider or email provider (like Google or Dialog, for example).

Many devices have settings that allow you to electronically block the harasser from sending you messages. If you don't know how to do this, ask a friend or adult who knows how.

5. Stay safe online

Protect your smartphone and online accounts with passwords, and change them regularly. Only share your passwords with your parents or guardians. It's also wise to think twice before sharing personal information or photos/videos that you don't want the world to see. Once you post a photo or message, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to delete it. So remind yourself to be careful when posting photos or responding to messages that hurt someone's feelings. Also, be mindful of your privacy settings.

What if one of your friends is a bully?

If you know that a friend of yours is cyberbullying, take them aside and talk about it. Stand up for your principles without putting your friend down: Let the bully know that it's not okay.

Explain to your friend that bullying can have serious consequences: for the bully, for those being bullied, and for bystanders like you and your friends.

You can read more about stopping bullying on the website Stopbullying.gov.

Finally, remember...

So, cyberbullying is a really serious thing. It can have a big impact on your mind, your physical health, and even your daily activities. But remember, you are not alone. There are many people who can help you and give you a hand in overcoming this situation.

The most important thing is to not keep quiet and tell someone you trust if something like this happens. It's also important to stay safe online and be kind to others. Let's all stand together against this cyberbullying and create a safe, friendly online environment for everyone. Don't be afraid, do the right thing.

Cyberbullying, Online bullying, Internet safety, Mental health, Youth, Stop bullying