How to stop CyberBullying

We all are cognizant about the extensive use of the internet, from children to old age people, everybody is using like never before. Nowadays, for children, the internet does not remain a simple fun activity it raises to the next level; the internet becomes a big part of their life. Emailing and chatting with friends are most common online activities. People bully by teasing or pull the leg of each other. Now with the source of internet people also bully to each other, but this bully changed into crime. Cyberbullying is similar to other types of bullying, except it takes place online through text messages. Cyber bullies can be online acquaintances, classmates, and even anonymous users, but most often they do know their victims. But why cyberbullying is increasing? Because people are aware of the fact that in cyberbullying they can hide their identity very easily.

The reasons of cyber bullying

People use the disguise of anonymity to harass their victim, sometimes they do this just for fun and that fun turns into a crime. It often occurs when people take normal prank or comment as their insult and in trying to teach a lesson to that person or in just trying to satisfy their ego in showing how much they are powerful they indulge in cyberbullying in order to take revenge.  Sometimes they can’t deal with their emotions in a healthy manner. They often feel scared, insecure, or powerless; they feel uncomfortable with someone who is “different”.  Sometimes they are fearful of their own abilities. They may even wish to expose or exploit the weaknesses of others in order to avoid addressing their own weaknesses. Occasionally, people are unaware that their own behavior could be characterized as bullying.  They do this because there is a much smaller chance that the victim will be able to hold them accountable.  Bullying can also occur when “blind items” are posted to social networking sites.  Blind items are messages or posts that do not give the name of a person but contain sufficient information for readers to figure out who the post is intended for. The majority of the times, it is seen that facing rejection for a proposal or jealousy can yield into cyber crimes.

The age group that experiences this or commits are the adolescents who are often involved in cyberbullying because they start facing challenges especially vulnerable to criticism and pressure, they are going through a transitional period in life.  That’s why we always listen to these words that teenage years are very critical and any wrong action committed may lead to disastrous consequences which one may have to bear for the lifetime. Older Adolescents are struggling to find themselves amidst a sea of new emotions and physical changes.  They are also exposed to a variety of experiences unique to adult communities.  Because of this, many adolescents seek support and comfort in social groups. Power struggles are common in these groups, as hierarchy can be important.

Parents and teens can do some things that help reduce the cyber bullying statistics

    Parents should make their children aware about cyberbullying, explaining that it is wrong and can have serious consequences.

    Parents should make them more comfortable

le so that they can feel free to share any problem. Especially if they are facing cyber bullying. Tell them if they are the victims they will not be punished, and reassure them that being bullied is not their fault.

    The teens’ parents may want to talk to the parents of the cyber bully, to the bully’s Internet or cell phone provider, and/or to the police about the messages, especially if they are threatening or sexual in nature.

    Parents should make their children aware about not to tell their password to anyone except them or should not write it down in a place where it could be found by others.

    The parents should take their child in confidence that If any threatening texts, emails, calls receiving them don’t hesitate to share. 

    Teens should not share anything through text or instant messaging on their cell phone or the Internet that they would not want to be made public – remind teens that the person they are talking to in messages or online may not be who they think they are, and that things posted electronically may not be secure.

    Encourage teens to never share personal information online or to meet someone they only know online.