Tackling Cyber-Bullying

Criminals always find new ways and new platforms to do the crime, let’s find new ways and new ideas to not become a victim of it.

Author

Introduction:

First and foremost, we need to understand what does cyber-bullying means? This is not new at all. Bullying on a virtual platform is what we can describe as cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying is defined as “an aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and overtime against a victim who cannot easily defend himself or herself.”^[1] The above definition itself says that victims are unable to defend themselves. It’s better to not fall under the meaning of cyber-bullying as a victim and try best to stay millions of kilometers away from this shadow of darkness.

Sometimes, people themselves give offers to become a victim of cyberbullying because they are addicted to social media. Followers, likes, comments, connections (LinkedIn), and views (Youtube) are what people are hungry of. Later, such people think more sensitively or feel insecure in sustaining their social media image. Criminals check them and find ways to tarnish their social media image. No doubt, social media have become more fruitful, but over-usage is harmful. Cyber-bullying is a subset of Cyber-Crime. Abusive content, threat messages, defamation, false rumors are the elements. In our country, half of the people even don’t know how to react when they are online-harassed, defamed, and bullied. People need to be completely educated when they are accessing the internet. In this research article, we will go through tips and techniques to avoid being one more victim, statistics, the role of law, relevance in contemporary times.

Prevention & Statistics

Victims when counters cyber-bullying, they may feel angry, sad, and in some cases suicidal too. In all cases, bully and victim has some kind of relation, it might be possible:

1. Bully knows victim, the victim doesn’t know bully.
2. Both know each other.
3. Both are unknown to each other.

Most teenagers (over 80%) now use a mobile device regularly, opening them up to new avenues for bullying, and half of all young adults have faced cyberbullying in some form.^[2]

India ranks first in the world youth population with 356 million young people.^[3] Most of them are teenagers. It is also a mistake on part of parents, why to hand over cellphones to children. If there is a purpose behind it, why don’t parents educate them about cyber-crimes and at least have a deep monitoring of children’s online activities? I think the education system of our country should also wind up topics for preventing cyber-bullying in their syllabus. 

If someone faces bullying, then it’s diplomatic to choose any two approaches:

1. Neglect it: This might seem hard to carry out. Yes, you are defamed on social media groups, that is what the bully wants! Your peer group will force you to react and take revenge. DON’T! If we neglect the bully, he will feel you don’t care and will stop bullying you in the future. (Trust me, it will upset them and their bad motives) In case, if he/she continues bullying you, straight away block him on social media. And, most importantly, don’t hesitate to share your incident with parents.

2. Respond tactfully: If someone edits your picture and into some sensitive or inappropriate picture, reply to him. Never text him abusive words. Be calm and ask why you are bullying and gather his/her information.

Always keep the evidence (screenshots, call records) of bullying. Don’t start defending yourself at an early stage. It will become like, My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist. People will not believe in your words, if you constantly defend your image. If the bully crosses the limit, report him. Talk to parents or teachers or guardians, file an FIR. Let the police do their work. Till then, be courageous and calm, never think to commit suicide.

This lockdown period will be a very tough time for netizens.

Remember “Empty mind is a devil’s workshop”, most people are engaged in work from home or nothing. People will kill time and kill other’s mental health by practicing cyber-bullying work.

How to prevent yourself from being a victim?

1. Never share your passwords. – Have a habit of updating passwords every month.
2. Don’t believe in spam messages and don’t share/forward it.
3. Don’t spread hate comments or anything which hurts someone’s sentiments.
4. Avoid talking to strangers on the internet and don’t accept stranger’s friend requests (It can allow a bully to tamper your pictures or personal data).
5. “Google” your name. It will become easy to track and report fake accounts managed by bullies.
6. Do Not send sensitive images to anyone of yours and others too.

In a country like India, for every severe court case, there are two judgments – One is Hon’ble Court judgment (legit) and the Media judgment (illegitimate). Every reader here might be aware of the sad incident of Manav’s suicide in boys and girls locker room cases. Manav should never commit suicide, he deserves to live. Manav receives threat calls from strangers, hate messages, and many more, the media had already declared him as a “criminal”. Later, through investigation, it was found that he was innocent. Because of social media pressure and whatnot, he committed suicide. Remember, suicide is no option for the solution.

I will draw back the reader’s attention to the devastation caused due to the Blue Whale game. Yes, the game which affected the mental health and lastly forces to commit suicide. The game originated in Russia. In India, it claimed the lives of six children from ages 12 to 19.^[4] The game demands 50 tasks over 50 days. And, the last task is suicide. If you don’t follow the tasks, you were blackmailed. Exactly, what every bully does to torcher and detroit your mental health. A Google Trends report of the last 12 months shows that India ranks sixth in the number of searches for the blue whale challenge in the world.^[5] In a survey conducted across 25 countries by Microsoft Corporation in 2012, India was ranked third in cyber-bullying cases.^[6]

Role of Law

Unfortunately, in India, there is no concrete anti-bullying law established. IPC, IT act, and some articles of the constitution are great going to cope up. Cyber-bullying is a crime that can take place 24X7. You need to be more alert, smart, and calm enough to tackle them. With increasing usage of electronic gadgets, there are more chances of cyber-bullying. Average Indian spends 1800 hours a year on a smartphone^[7] (not to mention other devices such as laptops and tablets also). Almost one-four of a year is spent online, the number is huge.

IPC

Sec. 499 – Defamation.

Sec, 504 – Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace.

Sec. 292 A – Selling or involved in the circulation of books, pamphlets, painting, representation or figure or other obscene objects shall be punished.

Sec. 507 – Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication.

Sec. 509 (for women) – Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman, a person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or fine or both.

IT ACT

Chapter XI deals with offenses.

Sec. 66 E – Punishment for violation of privacy.

Sec 67, 67 A, 67 B – Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.

Striking down 66 A by SC in case of Shreya Singhal v. Union of India^[8], was because it violates freedom of speech and the provision was ambiguous. I think the decision is completely fine, but then there should be a movement by policymakers to bring unambiguous anti-bullying law, which is absent till the date.

I think the bully should be punished more severely, as existing laws fail to do. You cannot weigh loss of life with simple imprisonment or fine. Legislature should look forward to adopting anti-bullying laws in India.

Conclusion

My pain may be a reason for somebody’s laugh, but my laugh must never be the reason for somebody’s pain.

Charlie Chaplin

I believe the above words are really helpful in tackling the bully. Victim is one who feels insecure. But, we need to understand, we should not feel like a victim. I know, bullying can make you more angry, anxious, and sleepless. Proper guidance, seeking help from elders and guardians will make you stronger. Never think about suicide, remember after your suicide, your parents will be the most affected ones. Have control over yourself by engaging in co-curricular or any other activities instead of social media. Never bully anyone, you won’t get bullied. I think proper anti-bullying acts can prevent cyber-bullying and secure the victim. Remember, where there is a law, there is relief. In my research paper, I have mentioned two approaches, select anyone. Keep your social media accounts safe and secure.

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References:

^[1]Smith, P. K., del Barrio, C., & Tokunaga, R. (2012). Principles of cyberbullying research. Definitions, measures and methodology, chapter: definitions of bullying and cyberbullying: how useful are the terms. Principles of cyberbullying research. Definitions, measures and methodology. Routledge, New York, 26-40.

^[2] Cyber Bullying Statistics. (2015, July 07). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html

^[3] Maniraj, V. (n.d.). TOP 10 COUNTRIES WITH LARGEST YOUTH POPULATION, ACCORDING TO UN REPORT. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from http://www.behindwoods.com/news-shots-slideshow/top-10-countries-in-the-largest-youth-population-according-to-un-report/1-india.html

^[4] Blue Whale suicide game now available under different names: UNESCO advisory. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/blue-whale-suicide-game-now-available-under-different-names-unesco-advisory

^[5] https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?q=Blue%20Whale%20Game

^[6] Choudhury, S. (2017, December 21). Govt launches helpline to tackle cyberbullying, will it really help? Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-govt-launches-helpline-to-tackle-cyberbullying-will-it-really-help-2569514

^[7] Varshney, R. (2020, January 02). Average Indian spends 1,800 hours a year on their smartphone: Survey. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://yourstory.com/2020/01/india-smartphone-time-spent-vivo-survey

^[8] Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, (2013) 12 S.C.C. 73