Cyber Bullying Creates Fear, Stunts Personality Growth Of Teens

A country with high access to Internet, albeit in urban areas makes a country ‘progressive’ one. In this day and age, being up-to-date with technology is what rates a country high on growth radar. But, as much as India would like to attach some funky tag to its emerging identity, that of being a contradiction where tradition and modernity co-exist with a fair amount of clashes surfacing every now and then, it’s ‘high-tech’ façade sometimes meets with the ugly side.

Consider this fact where one among every three teenagers in India is a victim of cyber bullying. Though the fact that one in every two teenager faces cyber bullying in the west may bring some respite; among developing countries, India surely seems to be posting a very grim picture of self on this front.

In a basic understanding, cyber bullying refers to people using electronic communication like emailing, social networking, and texting to harm others.

Psychiatrists have expressed concern about this trend, which is becoming a leading reason for teen suicides in urban areas in India. Because, almost every teenager living in big Indian cities does own a mobile phone, through which his access to technology, aka Internet takes place. And, when the adolescent isn’t equipped with life’s lessons or experience to take bullying on his stride, this debilitating experience can leave the teen in deep self doubt. It can tear the person apart and leave highly scared, fearful and unable to seek or access help.

Truth and its implications come close home when one considers this data submitted by a leading company that makes anti-virus applications for computers. In a recently concluded survey, the company put out the findings stating more than 52% of the children/adolescents who had independent access to computer at home or on a shared system, or were users of smartphones, were victims of cyber bullying. They had, in some way or the other, faced negative situation online.

What was more shocking was that the parents of the same children, who were surveyed, had no information about this. More than 84% parents felt their child was doing fine online, had not faced any negative situation, or the term cyber bullying wasn’t something that can be used to describe their children’s online experience. It simply didn’t figure in their list.

Another concerning aspect that came forth during this study was that about 34% children ‘admitted’ to creating negative online experience for their peers or strangers whom they found to be vulnerable on an online platform.

Cyberbullying stems from the fact that the perpetrator is vicariously trying to cover up his/her low self-esteem, by hurling abuses or insults at familiar people, or even total strangers.

This is close to a real-life situation where a person is unduly critical of someone, even those not known to him, to make good for his own poor self-image.

While tackling this issue, children may need their parents’ help to come out of the negativity created by the overall experience. Much like a life situation, where parents hold hands of children during difficult times to walk with them, helping children develop strong self-confidence.

Legislation exists
Cyber bullying is not a strange concept in India. In fact, there is already a legislation pertaining to this that parents can use to tackle the issue. The act, which came into existence in 2013, is focused on financial crimes and neglected interpersonal criminal behaviours. However, an amendment made to IPC, has covered this lacuna and parents can surely count on the law to protect their children from this situation.

When someone is going through this experience, the person needs a lot of help and counseling to get through the situation. Here are a few pointers that can help a person overcome this difficult situation without losing self-confidence.

No self-blaming: Blaming self for someone’s poor self-esteem does no good. This is just an id, a profile or a login name that’s indulging in this act, without even knowing the victim. This is never about the victim!

Don’t respond: Responding to cyberbullies only makes them stronger. Stay off from the temptation to post an acrimonious reply. It does no good.

Inform elders: Time to tackle cyberbullying is when it enters your real life. If you suspect your friends are doing this, inform your parents and analyse the situation before jumping the gun.

Complain, don’t put up with it: Make use of the legislation that exists. It is for your protection.

Never about you: No matter how often this bully lands on your page, always remember it is NEVER about you. It is about him/her as a person. Sympathise and build your self-morale above that.