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Bullying that occurs on digital devices such as cell phones, laptops, and tablets is known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can take place offline in social media, forums, or gaming where people can watch, engage in, or exchange content, or online in social media, forums, or gaming.
Sending, uploading, or spreading unpleasant, harmful, misleading, or hurtful content about another person is considered cyberbullying. It can involve embarrassment or humiliation caused by exposing intimate or private information about someone else. Cyberbullying among teenagers takes various forms, but the following are the most common:
1. People spreading rumors or lies about someone
2. Online people sending photographs or videos meant to humiliate or embarrass someone
3. People sending threats to someone
4. People creating and utilizing phony internet profiles to embarrass or intimidate someone
Cyberbullying and Adolescents
Only about 1 in 10 young people report cyberbullying to a parent or trusted adult. Embarrassment, fear of not being believed, fear of the issue being trivialized, and loss of access to technology are some of the reasons for the low number. Taking proactive steps to teach your child how to deal with cyberbullying will help ensure that they come to you for help when they need it.
Cyberbullying among children and adolescents is defined as the purposeful and repetitive harm perpetrated by one or more peers in cyberspace as a result of the use of computers, smartphones, and other gadgets. New forms of cyberbullying have evolved in recent years, such as cyberstalking and online dating abuse.
Cyberbullying can have a variety of consequences for teenagers, including:
decreased attendance and performance in school. Increased worry and tension, feelings of isolation and fear, and impaired concentration are all symptoms of depression. Cyberbullying can cause low self-esteem and confidence, and in extreme circumstances, it can lead to suicide.
Cyberbullying has comparable consequences to bullying, but it's much more difficult to avoid because it may follow your kid home from school and make them feel as if they'll never be able to get away from it. Make sure your child understands that cyberbullying isn't their fault, that they're not alone, and that there are ways to deal with it.
How to Deal With Cyberbullying?
1. Inform Someone- The majority of specialists agree that the first step is to notify an adult you trust. It's much easier to say than it is to do. Cyberbullied people may be embarrassed or hesitant to report a bully. Some people may be hesitant because they are unsure who is bullying them. However, bullying can escalate, so speak up until you locate someone who can assist you. An anonymous internet bully can sometimes be tracked down by the authorities, thus reporting it is often useful.
2. Stop Retaliating- When we respond angrily, we can make things worse. (Standing up to a bully can work in certain cases, but it's more likely to provoke the person and worsen the problem.) Taking a pause gives you back control!
3. Take a Break- Ignoring bullies is the most effective approach to taking away their power, but it isn't always simple to do, whether in person or online.
Try to take a break from your computer or turn off your phone if you see something upsetting. Don't reply, and don't pass the message on to anybody else. Find a way to divert your attention away from what's going on. Do something you enjoy that keeps you from thinking about what's going on.
4. Block the Bully- Defend yourself against the bully. Most smartphones include settings that allow you to prevent the bully or bullies from sending notes electronically. Ask a friend or an adult who knows how to accomplish this if you don't know-how.
5. Reporting Someone- When people write nasty or mean things on social media platforms or create phony profiles, they are taken seriously. The site administrator may ban the bully from using the site in the future if users report abuse. If you receive harassing messages or emails, notify your phone service or email provider.
6. Password Protection- Protect your smartphone and internet accounts using passwords, and update them frequently. Make sure your passwords are only shared with your parent or guardian. It's also a good idea to think twice about publishing personal information or photos/videos that you don't want the rest of the world to view. It can be difficult or impossible to remove a photo or statement once it has been posted. So remember to exercise caution when publishing images or reacting to an upsetting remark.
Written by- Hanshu Varandani
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