Cyberbullying is everyone’s business and the best response is a pro-active or preventative one. Cyberbullying can take many different forms and involves harassment, intimidation, and taunting of some kind via electronic communication such as email or websites. The most popular mediums for cyberbullying are social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Never in the history of humanity has bullying been so inventive and thus destructive. Cyberbullies exploit this digital age to spread hate.
According to reach, Cyberbullying victims are twice more likely to attempt suicide, especially when passive bystanders witness their suffering and do nothing. Some have even gone to the extent of live streaming their own suicide in a desperate attempt to get attention.
While being cyberbullied can be a painful, alienating experience that has even driven some to suicide, the good news is that victims have legal rights.
A cyberbully seeks power and control through threats. The best way to fight a cyberbully is to not give them the power – just ignore him.
If you receive a hurtful message we recommend you to not only ignore the message (it’s important to stop the urge to respond) but also block the user from your computer, phone or another technological device. Too often emotions are at their peak when you reply to an offensive message and this mix of internet and emotions can be dangerous. Sometimes it takes a long time for Social media networks and mobile service providers to take action, but do not be discouraged, eventually, they can help stop the cyberbully from going further.
Save the evidence. To make sure that you have a record of what happened if somebody is mean to you online. If it’s something that was sent directly to you, make sure you save it. If it’s something that can be deleted (a tweet, a status update, etc.) you can use get a screenshot (http://www.take-a-screenshot.org/).
Another important way to fight cyberbullying is by taking a stance when you see others being hurt and harassed by someone whether it is online or offline. Do NOT stand silently watching. Tell someone about it. Or search for support groups within school where you can anonymously tip off the offender.
elearning
Don’t Be A Bystander: Fight Cyberbullying
By
Pardon Gatsi
Cyberbullying is everyone’s business and the best response is a pro-active or preventative one. Cyberbullying can take many different forms and involves harassment, intimidation, and taunting of some kind via electronic communication such as email or websites. The most popular mediums for cyberbullying are social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Never in the history of humanity has bullying been so inventive and thus destructive. Cyberbullies exploit this digital age to spread hate.
According to reach, Cyberbullying victims are twice more likely to attempt suicide, especially when passive bystanders witness their suffering and do nothing. Some have even gone to the extent of live streaming their own suicide in a desperate attempt to get attention.
While being cyberbullied can be a painful, alienating experience that has even driven some to suicide, the good news is that victims have legal rights.
A cyberbully seeks power and control through threats. The best way to fight a cyberbully is to not give them the power – just ignore him.
If you receive a hurtful message we recommend you to not only ignore the message (it’s important to stop the urge to respond) but also block the user from your computer, phone or another technological device. Too often emotions are at their peak when you reply to an offensive message and this mix of internet and emotions can be dangerous. Sometimes it takes a long time for Social media networks and mobile service providers to take action, but do not be discouraged, eventually, they can help stop the cyberbully from going further.
Save the evidence. To make sure that you have a record of what happened if somebody is mean to you online. If it’s something that was sent directly to you, make sure you save it. If it’s something that can be deleted (a tweet, a status update, etc.) you can use get a screenshot (http://www.take-a-screenshot.org/).
Another important way to fight cyberbullying is by taking a stance when you see others being hurt and harassed by someone whether it is online or offline. Do NOT stand silently watching. Tell someone about it. Or search for support groups within school where you can anonymously tip off the offender.
Pardon has been a technology enthusiast his entire life and has spent the better part of last decades in information technology and security, and he writes with an aim to remove some of the "mysticism" from the cyber world. He’s the Editor at Techunzipped. Away from the keyboard, you're likely to find him playing with the latest gadgets or the latest Game.
More in elearning
elearning
EcoSure revamps Enda Education Cover
Zimbabwe’s largest life insurance company by policy holders, Econet Life Private Limited, has revamped its education...
elearning
How to Access ZimSec A Level 2021 Results Online
On Tuesday, the country’s examinations body, the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), announced that the October/November...
elearning
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and Ericsson partner for the Ericsson Learning Services Digital Platform
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and Ericsson have announced a partnership to implement Ericsson’s Learning Services Digital Platform...
ok
Facebook
Trending Posts
Technology News
WhatsApp now makes it easier to reject new policies
Technology News
Apple Watch Now Has A ChatGPT App
Technology News
Most popular web browsers in Zimbabwe
Technology News
Zimbabwe targets 75% internet penetration by 2025