Cyber Bullying

According to statistics from United Nations, women are 27% more likely to be subjected to cyber violence than men. Cyber bullying has a detrimental effect on ones mental state. It leads to an invasion of privacy where there is shame, humiliation and embarrassment associated with being a victim. Hence this is a large social issue that must be dealt with appropriately at a federal level, where there is enforcement of harsher cyber laws to prevent young women from being suppressed by cyber bullies.

Cyber bullying includes:

v  Rude text messages or emails

v  Rumours sent by email or posted on social networking sites.

v  Embarrassing pictures or videos of a person sent on networks.

v  Websites made to bully certain individuals or make fun of a person.

v  Fake profiles.

Tips:

1)      Be aware of what sites you visit, the security, privacy and confidentiality associated with that site.

2)      Refrain from accepting requests from strangers or people you have not met personally.

3)      Avoid sexting or sending any images, videos or material that is at risk of leaking onto sites or being unwantedly shared to people.

4)      Be aware that if you are planning to send material that poses yourself at harm or others at harm, then the person or site you are sending it to may not be trustworthy.

5)      Be careful of what you post on social media websites, as it can be shared on other sites and used against you.

6)      If a friend, colleague or family member is cyber bullying you, then you must tell them to stop and that it makes you uncomfortable. If it continues, you can report and block the person on the social media website and/or report to the Police.

7)      Parents should be aware of their child's online activities and should encourage their children if they or someone they know is being cyber bullied.

8)      It is important to immediately alert your parents or any trusted adult if you are being cyber bullied.

9)      If a person sends you rude text messages or death threats, DO NOT DELETE these messages as it can be used as evidence to be given to the police.

Links to the Kid's Health Organisation's information on cyber bullying is in the description below.

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cyberbullying.html