Writer: Elizabeth Rowland
(Graduate, Abia State University…Freelancer with New Telegraph)
Social media is unarguably a prominent part of the lives of the youth of this generation. Increased access to the internet has led to the popularity of social media platforms. They provide people with a forum to connect and interact with old and new friends.
However, there are some inherent dangers in the use of social media, one of which is cyber bullying.
Cyber bullying is a form of bullying that occurs online over cellphones, computers, tablets etc. It includes threats, posting rumours about someone, use of hate speeches, sexual remarks, disclosure of victim’s personal information, sending, posting or sharing of any content that can harm another person or damage their reputation, in order to make the victim feel less sure or confidence of himself/herself
These malicious acts can be carried out through phone calls, text messages, or online platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Snap Chat etc.
Cyber bullying is common among youths and its victims tend to develop a low self-esteem, retaliate, angry, scared, frustrated, depressed and in extreme cases have an increased suicidal inclination.
Cyber bullying is easier and more harmful than the traditional bullying because of its persistent nature. Since it can be carried out through digital devices, it is possible to immediately and continuously communicate these harmful elements round the clock, making it difficult for victims to find relief.
Ikechukwu, a medical doctor and a victim of cyber bullying shared his experience of how he was bullied by a lady he was making advances to: “I tried to get her by asking her friends to talk to her on my behalf; instead she went online and posted an article on how guys don’t know when to give up, using me as an example.”
According to Ikechukwu, although the lady tried to generalize the issue and was graceful enough not to mention his name in the example she gave, he knew she was referring to him. “That made me feel very terrible” Ikechukwu said.
Ikechukwu was able to overcome how he felt after the experience, but the same cannot be said of 15 years old Amanda, a Canadian high school student whose topless photo was leaked by a pervert after she refused to perform a live s*x show for him on camera.
In a black and white video she uploaded on YouTube, Amanda allowed her story unfold through a series of flash cards.
According to report, she posted a description under her video which said: “I’m struggling to stay in this world, because everything just touches me so deeply. I’m not doing this for attention. I’m doing this to be an inspiration and to show that I can be strong. I did things to myself to make pain go away, because I would rather hurt myself than someone else. Haters are haters but please don’t hate, although I’m sure I will get them. I hope I can show you guys that everyone has a story, and everyone’s future will be bright one day, you just got to pull through. I’m still here aren’t I?”
However, report has it that Amanda did not stay for too long as she took her own life a month after she uploaded the video.
Cyber bullying is a global problem that needs to be tackled. Although its major victims are teenagers, it is a hindrance to the growth of a society.
A society without youths who are morally and intellectually sound and emotionally stable is a dying society. Cyber bullying can harm the online reputation of everyone involved in it. Not just the bullied, those who participate in bullying others, but also the loved ones of these persons are at risk.
Most information communicated on social media platforms via digital devices are public and permanent; if not reported and promptly removed, whatever content an individual shares online, be it their personal details or any harmful or negative information, become a public record. A public record of a person makes up the person’s online image or reputation. A negative online reputation, including those who bully can influence college admissions, employment and other areas of a person’s life, as it can be easily accessed by school authorities, employers, government and even researchers who may want to carry out a research on an individual.
Cyber bullying is not easily noticed because parents and teachers do not see it happening. It is of a necessity for them to look out for cyber bullying signs in their children before it gets out of hand.
Not every child show signs of being bullied; but those who do may exhibit signs such as frequently falling sick or faking sickness, frequent headache and nightmares, sudden loss of friends, avoidance of social activities, not wanting to go to school, feelings of helplessness, decrease in self-esteem, increase in self-harm, running away from home and suicide attempts.
A child who bullies others can be identified if they are aggressive, engage in physical or verbal fight, blame others for their actions, worried about his or her reputation or popularity.
Save the children today and the society’s future is secured.
First Published 2017
