LETTER | Dealing with the effects of cyberbullying

LETTER | Bullying that occurs through the medium of digital media or devices is known as cyberbullying. With the rise of the internet and mobile devices, this new term - cyberbullying - has become a part of our modern world.

Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that occurs on digital devices such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can take the form of SMS texts, online chat forums, social networking sites, and gaming forums, among other things.

Cyberbullying is defined as acts such as posting, sending, or sharing harmful, mean, or obscene content.

Cyberbullying can also take the form of illegal physical activities and other types of illegal behaviour. Cyberbullying is most commonly seen on the internet. The most common sites for cyberbullying are social media sites like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram, to name a few.

Cyberbullying has increased since the introduction of free messaging apps. It has become more prevalent as a result of the widespread use of mobile phones, and cyberbullies take advantage of these technologies to prey on potential victims.

We live in a technologically-dominated world where not only teenagers but also adults are addicted to electronic devices and the internet. The internet has played a significant role in bringing people from all over the world together. Cyberbullying begins on the internet.

Cyberbullies take advantage of the internet's anonymity and infinite reach to prey on unsuspecting and potential victims. Once they obtain personal information about the victim, they begin to blackmail or harass them.

The majority of cyberbullying victims are between the ages of 12 and 18. Teenagers are drawn to the online glitz and the admiration they receive from strangers. They are after virtual fandom, and they will go to great lengths to gain followers on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

However, it is possible for older victims to be caught up in it as well. School students are easy to target, and if they have a bully at their school, escaping the bullying becomes even more difficult.

Victims of cyberbullying may experience increased distress, as well as increased anger and frustration. They'll let it out in various ways, and it may drive them to become addicted to the virtual world, where they can create multiple identities to hide their true identity. Because the sole purpose of bullying is to lower self-esteem, the victims will automatically have lower self-esteem. Bullying that lasts for a long time will cause them to withdraw from their family and friends. They will begin to prefer isolation and engaging in harmful activities such as drugs and alcohol.

 In order to avoid cyberbullies, the majority of victims are forced to avoid all social media sites. They separate themselves from the outside world in order to feel safe. To avoid disappointing their parents or family members, the majority of the victims do not reveal anything. They may try to change schools or homes to get away from the bullies, but they are rarely successful in escaping their tormentors' clutches. The victims would usually give up fighting the bullies and commit suicide to escape the pain and horrors of constant cyberbullying.

If a child is bullied at school, the first step he can take to stop the bullying is to stop going to school. He or she would choose to skip classes in order to temporarily escape the tormentors. The kid's feelings of humiliation and embarrassment from his or her peers will prevent him or her from returning to school and having a healthy school life. Their grades will begin to decline, and they will most likely drop out.

Aside from the usual mental and physical consequences of cyberbullying, it can have a negative impact on the victim's health. Symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches are common among the victims. It can also lead to stress-related issues such as various skin conditions and stomach ulcers. Several weight issues can arise as a result of binge eating or skipping meals, and they may also have to deal with insomnia and other sleeping disorders.

If the victims are introverts, it may be difficult to identify them at first, but every victim leaves behind some obvious clues to their condition and problems. One such clue is isolating oneself and remaining alone. If they appear to be depressed all of the time or are constantly anxious and angry, it's possible that they're being bullied.

How do we tackle this problem? The first step is to keep the children away from these dangerous and harmful predators who are always on the lookout for a victim. Keep the computer in a common area and keep up with the latest internet websites and trends. Instruct them on how to use the internet responsibly and safely. The first step in learning about their situation is to communicate with them. Talking to the child will help to establish trust, and they will feel more at ease sharing their problems with the parents. Try not to overreact or blame them for any incident once they've told you what's going on. Encourage them to stay strong and assure them that they will always have their parents' support. 

Recognising the gravity of the situation is critical to its resolution. Any student who exhibits signs of being a bully or being bullied should be reported to the faculty. If they have any concerns, they should handle the situation with care and notify the authorities, who will take over the case. Counsellors should be present in schools to assist students in overcoming any difficulties.

Laws against cyberbullying have been in place for a long time, but they were only enacted after numerous cases of cyberbullying were brought to light. The rules are in place to protect the victim and keep the details of the case private. In contrast to the Amanda Todd case, where the police were slow to act and did not consider the matter important, resulting in the death of an innocent child, law enforcement authorities should be proactive in their investigation of such a situation.

Cyberbullying is a serious problem, and going through such a trying time can be terrifying. Against these bullies, the only option is to stay strong and fight back. It is possible to move on and resume your life. Seeing a counsellor can assist the victims in dealing with the incident in a more effective and secure manner. If you are a victim of cyberbullying, life does not end, and you can fight back.

AHMAD NAIF SYAFIG ABD RAHIM is a student with University of Islamic Science Malaysia (USIM).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.