We Need To Prevent Cyberbullying

We Need To Prevent Cyberbullying

( by Sumi Mohan )

The Internet has become the main part of today's survival kit. The Internet made our lives straightforward. In this pandemic, the internet tends to be the most useful as every individual is able to carry on with their education, research, job, etc.

 

Richard Branson once said,

“It's worrying to think more than half the world's population lacks internet access and therefore lacks an equal opportunity to improve their lives. ”

 

But do you think that everyone is using the internet in the right way?

Of course, not. There are netizens who misuse this platform. Cybercrime. Any crime committed using a computer and a network. There are various types of cybercrime.

1. Web Hijacking

2. Unauthorized Access and Hacking

3. Virus Attack

4. Child Pornography

5. Cyber Bullying

 

 

Cyber Bullying:-

“ Courage is a fire and bullying is a smoke.”

-        Benjamin Disraeli 

Cyberbullying started as a practice where a person or group uses the net to ridicule, harass, or harm another person. The social and emotional harm inflicted by cyberbullies grows out of — or ends up in — physical bullying within the offline world. 

Cyberbullying is referred to as a prosecuted offense in some jurisdictions, but a globally uniformed legal approach has not yet been established.

According to the Forbes report in the year 2018, Cyberbullying is most prevalent in India. The sad truth is the young generation is the victim and culprit of such unlawful activities. Kids intentionally or unintentionally become a cyberbully.

 

·       Posting hurtful, or humiliating rumors or comments about a person online.

·       Publishing an embarrassing or nasty photo or video.

·       Creating a fake web page about another individual.

·       Issuing online threats provoking a person to kill themselves or hurt somebody.

·       To set religious, racial, ethnic, or political vitriol online by posting hate comments or content.

·       Faking an identity online to provoke or post personal or fake information about someone

 

Children take an online platform as a place where they could take revenge or harm anyone without revealing their identity. It is seen that often these bullies hail from the victim's family, friend circle, or colleagues.

 

·       We frequently go through the news that a young girl commits suicide as her boyfriend threatens her with her morphed photographs.

·       A person is getting a death threat as he commented on a heated topic.

  

In recent times it is observed that cyberbullying rates towards Indian women and teenagers rose by 36%. It becomes an easy way to warn someone whose behavior, journal, or any article is contradicting ours. But the major issue is - the victims are still not reporting such crimes which on the other hand is encouraging the culprits. 

Earlier, this year we encountered a cybercrime case in which the culprits were the boys of class 12. The boys have formed an Instagram group in which some members shared photos of girls and planned how they can rape them. Even their girl classmate's photos were shared in that group, and this case was reported by one of their girl classmates. This created a massive shock among social media. Everyone started to initiate and speak up against every cybercrime being it stalking or bullying.

At that same phase, we all witnessed a case where a young boy ended up his life, as he was charged with the allegation of molesting a girl, and he was bullied on social media, and which made him quit his life. And when he died the original news came in light that he was charged with a false allegation.

So there should be equal justice for boys and girls.  

 

“ Unless and until our society recognizes cyber bullying for what it is, the suffering of thousands of silent victims will continue.”

-        Anna Maria Chavez

As kids are the active users of the internet, the parents should be aware of what their kids are surfing. Seminars should be held to spread awareness about the whole concept of the internet and should educate them on the IT Act. Only then, they would be able to open up about the troubles they face on the internet.

 Victims often feel helpless when they are trapped in cybercrime.

There is no specific legislation that gives for the particular cyberbullying laws in India however provisions like Section 67 of the knowledge Technology Act deals with cyberbullying in a very way. Section 67 of the act prescribes punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form for a term which can be five years, and also with fine which can be ten lakh rupees.

There is no other legislation but ITact has some provisions for such mentioned crime.

 

Section 507 IPC 

The section states that if anyone receives criminal intimidation by way of anonymous communication then the person giving threats shall be punished with imprisonment for up to 2 years.

 

Section 66 E of IT Act 

The section prescribes punishment for violation of privacy. The section states that a person who intentionally violates the privacy by transmitting, capturing, or publishing private pictures of others shall be punished with up to 3 years imprisonment or fine up to 3 lakhs.

 

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Light De Literacy

 Often known as LDL, this NGO works for underprivileged kids and. Till now, they are educating around 800 kids who hail from slums. They offer education at 10 different locations in Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and Bahraich. They are also bringing change in the perception of treating menstruation as taboo.They conduct seminars and talk to the women of these slums. They have distributed more than 5000 sanitary napkins, and also conducts health camps in the name of “Arogya Vatika”.

 

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Disclaimer:-

The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Light de Literacy and LDL does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.