Online Bullying

Online Bullying

Online bullying is a growing phenomenon which constitutes harmful comments, threats
or violence on social media communicated through the internet. Around 74 percent of children
actually report cases or experience incidents of online harassment or bullying. This article aims
at exploring the solutions to support the use of a multifaceted approach towards tackling online
bullying from identifying the culprits to punishing them. Combating cyber or online bullying
needs a combination of both accountability and personal responsibility. It also requires reporting
and blocking of social media sites or blocking features in case of such extreme harassment as
well as the involvement of the law enforcers.
Cyber or internet bullying takes different forms from instant messages, online voting
polls, text messages, emails chat rooms to social media. These issues are mainly compounded by
the advent of technology which lets people send such messages anonymously from parody
accounts or dummy phone numbers. They post anonymously targeting a certain group of people
or individual while these messages disappear mostly after some few seconds hence making it
hard to trace and prove the intruder. The most popular form of cyber or online and in school
bullying encompass insults, name calling.

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The associated effects of online bullying usually range from low self-esteem to serious
issues as school violence or suicide. Social anxiety however I one of the greatest and common
effects of cyber or online bullying. These instances can cause a devastating effect on young
people since it makes them develop low self-esteem and depression. Most bullied youths shy
away from reporting due to embarrassment and fear of repercussions. Recent there have been
cases of suicide deaths due to online bullying.
Although many scholars believe that online bullying is actually a legitimate social
problem while harassment requires public censor, the legislature still fears it may infringe upon
the constitutional liberties. It’s also impossible for students to ascertain what is actually
permissible speech according to the anti-cyberbullying as opposed to impermissible speech. The
best solution is to involve parents, law enforcers, community organizations, teachers and
personal, proactive measures towards preventing one being a target or victim of online bullying.
The last recognized line of defence is to develop anti-cyber laws and statutes aimed at protecting
victims from this harassments.
The first solution is to develop and provide parents and guidance with information on
how to track your child’s online activities and censor access to the internet at home. They can do
so by encouraging parents to always discuss instances of online bullying with children and be
wary of consequences such as their wellbeing and mental health. Schools should also establish a
close relationship with law enforcers through such activities as encouraging cyber talks on the
proper use of the internet.