India has had a significant rise in access to the internet in recent years, mainly due to the nation’s massive use of smartphones and advancements in technology. Although there have been unquestionably numerous benefits to this revolution in technology, it additionally brought forth novel challenges, the most prominent of which is cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying has become an increasingly prevalent issue, particularly among young people, as the use of social media platforms and internet-based communication channels become increasingly commonplace.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian cyberbullying statistics have increased. The rapid use of digital technology and the rise of digital communication platforms, especially with the growth of online learning, remote work, and social media usage, have resulted in a multiplication of cyberbullying in India.
Cyber Bullying in India
- Cyberbullying is just harassing someone over social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. However, bullying is only considered to occur when someone’s reputation is severely harmed by the dissemination of unfavorable information about them.
- Because it allows anyone to harass someone in public at any time using a gadget, cyberbullying is extremely harmful. Students are typically the targets of this type of harassment.
- The primary goal of cyberbullying is to cause mental harm to an individual.
- Another method of cyberbullying involves creating a website and posting derogatory pictures of the target that could harm their reputation. Cyberbullying can also arise from making threats against someone on social media or through any gaming app.
Common Types of Cyber Crimes in India
- Cyber Stalking: Cyberstalking the Indian Penal Code’s Section 354D is an offence. When a man tries to message a woman online via instant messaging, email, or any other electronic communication technique and doesn’t gain her attention, it’s known as stalking.
- Cyberterrorism: Cyberterrorism is the act of threatening someone with extortion or other similar threats.
- Hacking: It is one of the most common types of cybercrime in India. when someone virtually breaks into another person’s computer to obtain private and sensitive data, like email addresses and financial information, among other things. The likelihood of getting hacked increases as more and more things go digital.
- Phishing: It is the practice of sending phony emails or messages that contain a link to a specific webpage in an attempt to trick recipients into unintentionally providing personal information (passwords, bank account information, and contact details) or infecting their devices with dangerous viruses as soon as they click the link.
Reporting cyberbullying in India: What is the Process?
Offline Process:
- You can file a complaint online or offline at any time to the crime investigation department or cyber police.
- The first and most important step in punishing cybercrime is to file a complaint against it.
- You must submit a formal complaint to the relevant jurisdiction’s cybercrime unit.
- You must include your name, contact information, and mailing address in the written complaint.
- The head of the city’s cybercrime cell, where the complaint is being submitted, must receive the written complaint.
- As per the IT Act cyberbullying, because it falls under the umbrella of worldwide jurisdiction, a cybercrime complaint can be filed with any cyber cell in India, regardless of the location of the original crime or the victim’s current residence.
Online Process:
The following website allows victims to report cybercrime: https://cybercrime.gov.in/, a Government of India initiative that handles complaints about sexually explicit content, including Rape/Gang Rape (CP/RGR) and Child Pornography (CP) on the internet, as well as other cybercrimes like ransomware, hacking, cryptocurrency crimes, and social media crimes.
- Visit https://cybercrime.gov.in
- From the menu, select ‘Report other cyber crimes’.
- Select “Complaints” from the menu.
- If you are a woman or minor, you can report anonymously. If not, choose “Report other Cyber Crimes.”
- Go over and agree to the terms.
- Enter your name and state and register your cell phone number.
- Complete the pertinent information on the offense.
Anti-cyberbullying Campaigns India: Its Importance
- Education: Public awareness initiatives inform people about the definition of cyberbullying, its effects, and its legal ramifications. These initiatives serve to draw boundaries between what constitutes cyberbullying and non-bullying behavior, which many individuals may not be aware of.
- Empowerment: Because they are afraid, ashamed, or confused, victims frequently suffer in silence. Cyberbullying legal advice India campaigns to raise awareness and provide people with the information and tools they need to report problems, ask for assistance, and take precautions.
- Promoting Reporting: A lot of cyberbullying incidents go unreported. Campaigns to raise awareness seek to lessen the stigma attached to being a victim and motivate people to report instances of cyberbullying to the relevant authorities or platforms such as Cyberbullying Victims Support India.
- Social Change: By bringing cyberbullying to light, these efforts encourage a change in mindset that leads to an online community that is more responsible and compassionate. They cast doubt on the notion that conduct that occurs online is in any way immune to the standards of decency and civility that govern offline interactions.
Cyber Bullying FAQs
Which country has the highest rate of cyberbullying?
The top three nations where parents reported experiencing cyberbullying, according to cyberbullying statistics, are Brazil (29%), India (38%), and the United States (26%).
Who gets the most online abuse?
Compared to men, women are more likely to be the victims of tech-based abuse and to have to cope with it for longer periods. Women experience violence that is frequently more severe in type and has a detrimental psychological impact, making them twice as likely as men to fear for their safety.
What is the scope of cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying refers to the following activities: sending harsh or abusive messages, emails, posts, photos, or videos; purposefully excluding others from online communities; spreading unfavorable rumors or gossip; or pretending to be someone else online or using their login credentials.
What is the negative impact of cyberbullying on mental health?
In addition to mental health problems, elevated stress and anxiety, despair, aggressive outbursts, and low self-esteem, cyberbullying also has these negative repercussions. Even when the bullying has stopped, cyberbullying can have an emotional impact that lasts a lifetime.
What is the main objective of cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is the term for bullying that occurs via digital technology. It can be done via social media, messaging apps, mobile devices, and gaming platforms. It is consistent behavior meant to frighten, enrage, or embarrass the people it is intended for.
Is cyberbullying a psychological problem?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over electronic devices, and it can lead to mental health problems including anxiety and sadness in both the victim and the bully.
Is cyberbullying prevention effective?
Some researchers have discovered that despite the differences in definitions between conventional and cyberbullying, general bullying prevention programs are also successful in lowering cyberbullying and cyber victimization.
Why is cyberbullying alarming?
The effects of cyberbullying on young people’s mental health are profound. Victims frequently feel more alone, depressed, and anxious than usual. Academic performance may suffer as a result, and in the worst situations, suicide may result.
What is the protective factor of cyberbullying?
The most crucial barriers to cyberbullying protection are happy school experiences and solid parent-child ties. Adult-enforced media usage limits were much less successful in combating cyberbullying. Anyone can experience it.
Is social media addiction linked to cyberbullying?
Low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and psychological distress have all been linked to problematic social networking site use. Addiction to social media and other problematic social media usage can raise the likelihood of cyberbullying and cyber victimization.
With the goal of giving students the best education available for law entrance exams including the CLAT, AILET, and numerous state judiciary exams, Jyoti Judiciary Coaching, India’s Finest educational Platform, was established. Come enroll now with Jyoti Judiciary!
For any latest news, legal topics, judiciary exams notifications, patterns, etc watch Jyoti Judiciary’s YouTube channel for legal videos for any updates at https://youtube.com/@jyotijudiciarycoaching4852?si=2cwubh9d2A9urwJf
