There have been various important events in the cultural and technological development of cyberspace and the Internet over the last few years. In recent times, the Internet had tremendously influenced the way people communicate and interact with one another. This brought about a lot of opportunities including challenges to the way people act and behave. The endless opportunities for anyone to connect with friends, families, workmates and schoolmates would have never eventuate if there is no Internet today. While majority of the World Wide Web users may focus on using the Internet for their development, there are others who have gone astray and used it negatively to intimidate others and these sometimes lead to severe consequences and even deaths.
For this post, I will share some information pertaining to privacy on the web and why I think it is recommended for everyone to consider what they share on the Internet. The focus will be on Cyber Bullying, outlining some of the practices heavily used today by the minority in cyberspace. I will also include random other points throughout the post on Internet safety in general. I hope this post will provide useful information to those who read it so they can protect their loved ones or possibly help to educate those that practice cyber bullying.
In cyberspace, the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically through texts messages, manipulative images with the intent to intimidate or threaten someone, is likely to pose numerous threats to our society. One of the pioneers of antivirus protection, Eset (2015) reports that cyber bullying is increasing on the internet through the use of mobile phones and computers. A study by Eset recorded almost 45,000 children contacted ChildLine, a counseling service in UK for help in 2014. Cyber bullying may pose greater risks to how one interact online because within cyberspace, anyone can be anonymous unlike physical bullying where victims can identify who their bullies were. According to a study by Eset (2015), 54 percent of parents in UK were unaware of their child being bullied. The report highlights that majority of "parents are completely ill-equipped and under-educated in knowing how to recognize and deal with" the increasing threat to children online (Eset, 2015). With such statistics for parents in a developed nation to be unaware, it is likely that smaller developing countries like Papua New Guinea may possibly have even higher percentage of parents to educate in order to help them be aware of the risks of cyber bullying.
Risks of Cyber bullying:
Ohio University (n.d), reports that youths especially those that are psychologically vulnerable, are at higher risks of being affected by cyber bullying. In some cases, the bullies themselves may also become victims of cyber bullying where they fall under any one or more of the different cyber bullying types.
Various risks associated to cyber bullying include emotional distress such as anger, frustration, embarrassment, sadness, fear and depression. Moreover, it may include disturbances to one's concentration with school work or job performance. Cyber bullying victims can also end up quitting their job or if the victim is a student, the effects may force them to drop out or even switch schools. Sometimes, cyber bullying encourages delinquency and violence, transforming victims to become aggressive. For other victims, they may resolve to drug abuse or even cause them to bring weapons onto school grounds. Even far worse, cyber bullying can lead to suicide (Ohio University, n.d).
Risks of Cyber bullying:
Ohio University (n.d), reports that youths especially those that are psychologically vulnerable, are at higher risks of being affected by cyber bullying. In some cases, the bullies themselves may also become victims of cyber bullying where they fall under any one or more of the different cyber bullying types.
Various risks associated to cyber bullying include emotional distress such as anger, frustration, embarrassment, sadness, fear and depression. Moreover, it may include disturbances to one's concentration with school work or job performance. Cyber bullying victims can also end up quitting their job or if the victim is a student, the effects may force them to drop out or even switch schools. Sometimes, cyber bullying encourages delinquency and violence, transforming victims to become aggressive. For other victims, they may resolve to drug abuse or even cause them to bring weapons onto school grounds. Even far worse, cyber bullying can lead to suicide (Ohio University, n.d).
Common Types of Cyber Bullying:
In my attempt to understand and identify various forms of cyber bullying practices in Papua New Guinea, I followed various posts and pages on Facebook and have seen various methods employed by regular users. I will not go into detail of giving specific examples due to sensitivity of the topic, instead I will present the overview of the different cyber bullying types for readers to learn and possibly protect themselves. I have placed these practices into the common types of cyber bullying known in cyberspace and these are briefly explained below.
- Anonymity
Anonymity may be one of the most common and widely used forms of cyber bullying. Among most of the listed types of cyber bullying, the internet creates a conducive cyberspace for bullies to be anonymous hence allowing them to hide behind screen names or fake identities to intimidate others.
- Impersonation
When a person logs into someone else' account or creates a fake account with another person’s information and pictures, then sends out messages pretending to be that user, they are in the act of impersonation. With this type of cyber bullying, it is considered a form of identity theft and is a federal crime therefore has implications based on prosecution that can last between 2 to 8 years imprisonment in most countries, and may cost fines of up to $10,000 based on inflicted harm.
- Trickery
This type of cyber bullying involves someone being purposely tricked by a bully into sharing secretive information that may be personal or embarrassing, and then publishes that information online.
- Outing
In this type of cyber bullying, a person shares personal and private information, pictures, or videos collected from someone openly with public. The victim is “outed” when his/her information has been distributed throughout the internet.
- Flaming
When someone posts critical or disrespectful remarks on other webpage, through emails, instant messaging, chat rooms or social media posts, they are considered flaming. Usually, these are fights that happen online using bad or obscene languages. Flaming wars can mount into real-life, physical fights.
- Denigration
Denigration involves criticizing someone in a derogatory manner, to tell them that they are worth nothing. Examples may include spreading rumors, blackmailing and threatening someone. In many cases, texts messages such as "I hate You" or "You are Stupid" may be sent to damage another person's esteem.
- Harassment
In a harassment type of cyber bulling, a string of hurtful and offensive messages are sent by the bully to an individual or a group repetitively. A common type of cyber bullying that can be categorized as harassment is Cyber stalking which as mentioned, involves continual harassing and threatening messages which may also lead to physical confrontations.
- Cyber stalking
With this type of cyber bullying, the bully keeps contacting the victim on social media or other online site and drives fear and upset to the victim. Usually messages are deliberately left on someones phone to scare them. This may include threats or sexual comments which the stalker often uses to intimidate and scare the victim. By law in many countries, stalking is illegal.
- Exclusion
- Anonymity
Anonymity may be one of the most common and widely used forms of cyber bullying. Among most of the listed types of cyber bullying, the internet creates a conducive cyberspace for bullies to be anonymous hence allowing them to hide behind screen names or fake identities to intimidate others.
- Impersonation
When a person logs into someone else' account or creates a fake account with another person’s information and pictures, then sends out messages pretending to be that user, they are in the act of impersonation. With this type of cyber bullying, it is considered a form of identity theft and is a federal crime therefore has implications based on prosecution that can last between 2 to 8 years imprisonment in most countries, and may cost fines of up to $10,000 based on inflicted harm.
- Trickery
This type of cyber bullying involves someone being purposely tricked by a bully into sharing secretive information that may be personal or embarrassing, and then publishes that information online.
- Outing
In this type of cyber bullying, a person shares personal and private information, pictures, or videos collected from someone openly with public. The victim is “outed” when his/her information has been distributed throughout the internet.
- Flaming
When someone posts critical or disrespectful remarks on other webpage, through emails, instant messaging, chat rooms or social media posts, they are considered flaming. Usually, these are fights that happen online using bad or obscene languages. Flaming wars can mount into real-life, physical fights.
- Denigration
Denigration involves criticizing someone in a derogatory manner, to tell them that they are worth nothing. Examples may include spreading rumors, blackmailing and threatening someone. In many cases, texts messages such as "I hate You" or "You are Stupid" may be sent to damage another person's esteem.
- Harassment
In a harassment type of cyber bulling, a string of hurtful and offensive messages are sent by the bully to an individual or a group repetitively. A common type of cyber bullying that can be categorized as harassment is Cyber stalking which as mentioned, involves continual harassing and threatening messages which may also lead to physical confrontations.
- Cyber stalking
With this type of cyber bullying, the bully keeps contacting the victim on social media or other online site and drives fear and upset to the victim. Usually messages are deliberately left on someones phone to scare them. This may include threats or sexual comments which the stalker often uses to intimidate and scare the victim. By law in many countries, stalking is illegal.
- Exclusion
This type of bullying involves the act of intentionally excluding and leaving a person
out from any online engagement such as group chats and sites. While doing so, the group may then
subsequently leave malicious comments and harass the one that is singled
out.
Some Ways to abstain from cyber bullying:
While there may not be a 100 percent method to protect yourself from possible cyber bullying, there are few tips that can help anyone prevent themselves from it. Some of those include;
- Avoid posting personal information including photos/ images
Important: With the use of manipulation programs, people can easily manipulate your images in a way to harass you then post it online.
- Always check the TO: field (Especially with emails, verify who you are posting the message to before sending).
- Always check the TO: field (Especially with emails, verify who you are posting the message to before sending).
- Don't be gullible:
Try not to be emotional so you be easily persuaded to believe something. Seek for sources or credibility.
Try not to be emotional so you be easily persuaded to believe something. Seek for sources or credibility.
- Try NOT to respond to harassing messages with anger
Usually, when you are angry, you can't control yourself and this allows the gap for the bully to use you through your frustration which can make things even worse than the initial.
Usually, when you are angry, you can't control yourself and this allows the gap for the bully to use you through your frustration which can make things even worse than the initial.
- Never open messages from strangers
This is one of the important warning I warned friends and families to be mindful of. Simple rule is, if you don't know the person, NEVER click on the link sent. Additionally, if you aren't expecting a link or file from someone, never click on that link.
This is one of the important warning I warned friends and families to be mindful of. Simple rule is, if you don't know the person, NEVER click on the link sent. Additionally, if you aren't expecting a link or file from someone, never click on that link.
- Ignore chain mails, hoaxes or long emails If you come across any mail, messages that requests you to forward it to friends, DON'T forward it because it may send your email along with your friends to the source where it came from.
- Proofread messages before posting
Always check what you wrote before posting or sending it out because the Internet in itself, is the World Wide Web and anything you release can go public.
Always check what you wrote before posting or sending it out because the Internet in itself, is the World Wide Web and anything you release can go public.
- Beware of certain topics
There are certain topics that may invite or expose you to cyber bullies. If you aren't sure of the topic, abstain yourself from it.
There are certain topics that may invite or expose you to cyber bullies. If you aren't sure of the topic, abstain yourself from it.
- Again, NEVER POST anything that is very private
Final Note:
Know that the web is a medium for sharing. Most of what you put up on the web is meant to be shared-Not private. Be mindful of who you want to share the information with and adjust the privacy and security settings especially on the website you are using to appropriate level of information sharing.
Remember; If you decide to post your photos and personal information online, you accept to expose your privacy unless you have your own domain that governs itself using its terms of use.
Know that the web is a medium for sharing. Most of what you put up on the web is meant to be shared-Not private. Be mindful of who you want to share the information with and adjust the privacy and security settings especially on the website you are using to appropriate level of information sharing.
Remember; If you decide to post your photos and personal information online, you accept to expose your privacy unless you have your own domain that governs itself using its terms of use.
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| image source:https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/144157/width926/image-20161102-27212-1lrsqz2.jpg |
Reference:
End Cyberbullying n.d, "A step closer to a safer and more friendly social network", accessed 23 July 2017,<http://www.endcyberbullying.org/5-different-types-of-cyberbullying/>
ESET 2015, "Majority of parents are clueless when faced with cyber bullying", accessed 24 July 2017,<https://www.eset.com/me/about/press/articles/article/majority-of-parents-are-clueless-when-faced-with-cyber-bullying/>
Lohmann, C.R 2012,"Cyberbullying versus Traditional Bullying", accessed 23 July 2017,<https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/teen-angst/201205/cyberbullying-versus-traditional-bullying>.
The National 2014, "Some control of social media a must", accessed 23 July 2017,<http://www.thenational.com.pg/some-control-of-social-media-a-must/>Ohio University n.d,"Cyberbullying:Risk Factors", accessed 22 July 2017,<http://www.ohio.edu/people/mk931908/riskfactors.html>
O'Keeffe, S.G & Pearson, C.K & Council on Communications and Media 2011,"The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families", AAP News and Journals,viewed 24 July 2017,<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800.long>
Steve Harvey 2016, "New App To Stop Cyberbullying", Steve Harvey Show, viewed 6 July 2017, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh9IEgBo3u4>.
Trisha Prabhu 2014, "Rethink before you type", TEDx Talks, Viewed 6 July 2017, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkzwHuf6C2U>.
Yapumi, C 2017,"Act will no censor social media:NICTA",accessed 24 July 2017,<http://www.looppng.com/png-news/act-will-not-censor-social-media-nicta-49630>
Social Safety 2017,"Cyberbullying",accessed 23 June 2017,<http://socialsafety.org/cyber-bullying/>.
Marbella Family Fun n.d, "Top 10 Tips on how to protect yourself from cyberbullies", accessed 23 July 2017,<http://www.marbellafamilyfun.com/avoid-cyberbullying.html>
This is a very useful post. Cyber bullying should be taken seriously. Thanks for the insights.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment.
DeleteIt is really interesting in today when social media, especially Facebook becomes an obvious place for people to share all kinds of stuff. Now, dealing with privacy, especially images; again people need to be aware of what they post on Facebook to avoid intimidation as mentioned using other people's pictures. This is no good. No more safety on the web.
ReplyDeleteA lot of bullying on the internet today. Soon, there will be catastrophic outcomes visible everywhere if authorities are not careful to plan now.
ReplyDeleteCyber Bullying is real!!
ReplyDelete