One of the biggest challenges the children face these days is through Cyber Bullying. Using electronic channels to bully someone is called Cyber Bullying.
Technology and cyber is part of our daily life these days. During the COVID-19 that dependency is even more, including the ELearning adopted by schools across the world. At the same time, Cyber security risks are a common menace everyone facing nowadays. Many types of cyber crimes and frauds are prevalent in the day to day life of Internet users, which vary from financially motivated activities, to cyber war. But the social challenges and physiological issues associated with cyberspace are much more significant on the children than anyone else.
One of the biggest challenges the children face these days is through Cyber Bullying. Using electronic channels to bully someone is called Cyber Bullying. This could be done by a stranger or a known person, including their friends. Harassing, insulting with different ways, taking revenge etc. through cyber channels like social media, emails etc. can be the ways of conducting cyber bullying. It may include stalking, spreading rumours, impersonating the victim, personal information disclosure in social media etc.
Studies show that teenagers are mostly affected by cyberbullying, but it is getting more impact to smaller children also these days. Cyberbullying can have widespread and long lasting effects on the victims. It may create anxiety, and helplessness in the children and can lead to serious physiological issues. Some children avoid discussing it with any adults including their parents, which may have bigger impacts on them, as they could feel depressed, and can ruin their studies and daily life.
Children are recommended to ensure that they discuss these kinds of incidents or attempts to their parents or teachers for timely support and action, which can save them and correct those who conduct cyber bullying, if they are known persons. The victims must realize that they are not to be punished for the actions of the cyber bully, but parents and teachers can assist them to identify and take necessary actions to stop the bullying and to recover.
Parents must educate their children on the negative sides, and about the social and government steps that can be taken against the children if they are involved in cyberbullying. These days, technical investigation can easily identify who is the culprit and may end up in serious police actions including jailing of those who conduct cyber bullying.
Children must be very careful while using the Internet and particularly social media. They should be under the strict supervision and guidance from their parents or teacher on secure usage of these technologies. Disclosure of personal information, including address, contact details, private photos etc. must be limited and secured. This information can be used by strangers to cyber bully or can lead to damaging the safety of the children.
Interacting and befriending with strangers should be strictly avoided by children as you may not be knowing the actual person behind social media profiles or other Internet identities.
As a matter of effectively handling cyber bullying, privacy settings in the social media accounts and other Internet softwares should be enabled.
Children should always establish a great relationship with their parents, teachers or good friends, to whom they shall speak openly about any cyber bullying attempts or incidents to get correct guidance. They should not try to handle the situation by themselves. They must know that adults can handle it more effectively and can diffuse the issue through various means and save them from the stress.
As a better human being we all should respect and treat others with care and love and stay away from cyber bullying. It can lead to stress, and other physical and mental damages to the affected parties. At the same time those who conduct can also have serious impacts to their lives, future and social activities, which can include severe actions from the authorities once they are being investigated.
Stay safe and secure in the Cyber world!
For the latest cyber threats and the latest hacking news please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
You may be interested in reading: How to Survive the COVID Time Cyber Security Threats?
About the Author
Illyas Kooliyankal is a well-known Cyber Security Expert, currently working as the CISO at a prominent bank in UAE and serving as Vice President of ISC2 (UAE Chapter). He has won many international awards, including the IDC Middle East CISO Award, ECCouncil (USA) Global CISO Award (Runner-Up), ISACA CISO, and Emirates Airlines CISM Award. He is a well-received keynote speaker at many international conferences in the USA, UK, Singapore, Dubai, etc.