Cyberbullying is a social problem that mostly children and young people are exposed to in online communities. Cyberbullying has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the process of staying at home and increasing internet use, the virtual violence method has also shown a great increase in cyberbullying game platforms.
Children and youth who are cyberbullied stressThey may also develop physical symptoms due to Individuals who are cyberbullied may experience headaches, nausea, skin problems and other physical illnesses as well as psychologically challenged. Even children's sleeping and eating habits can change.
1. What is Cyberbullying?
According to ExpressVPNCyberbullying is one of the reasons why people are more careful about their use of social media.
Cyberbullying is intentional actions taken to embarrass, threaten, intimidate or harass a person on gaming platforms, forums, applications and online social media platforms via electronic devices such as computers, smartphones or tablets.
Cyberbullying occurs most often on the following platforms:
- Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat and Facebook
- Text messaging or messaging apps
- Direct message, instant messaging or online chat
- Online forums
- Online gaming communities
Cyberbullying can happen in the following ways:
- Exclusion: A bullying that continues in the physical world can continue as cyberbullying in the virtual world. Your child may be ostracized by a group of people at school, and this exclusion continues virtually.
- Abuse: Many types of cyberbullying fall into harassment. In general, sending offensive or threatening online messages intended to harm a person is harassment.
- Disclosure: It is the sharing of sensitive or personal information about a person online without permission to embarrass or humiliate the person.
- Cyber Stalking: Cyber stalking is tracking the online activities of the target person step by step by an unknown person. Physical harm may occur as a result of cyber stalking.
- Imitation: Cyberbullying is a person making inappropriate posts after taking over their social media accounts. Posts can be funny, or they can be used to hurt or humiliate.
How do you know if your child is being cyberbullied?
- Increase in the use of devices such as smartphones and computers
- If your child has emotional reactions to something they see on the device (like getting angry, crying, laughing, etc.)
- If your child hides the device screen and is afraid to reveal how he/she spends his/her time on the internet,
- Closes or opens social media accounts,
- If your child is withdrawing from social environments,
- If your child has started to withdraw; If he doesn't want to meet people and doesn't want to go out, he may be being cyberbullied.
2. How to Prevent Cyberbullying?
While we are free to use the internet as we please, unfortunately we can also be exposed to the actions of malicious people virtually. To avoid being cyberbullied, you must ensure the privacy and security of your online identity:
12 June Cyberbullying The infographic above, prepared specifically for the Stop Day, lists the measures you can take on social media to avoid being exposed to cyberbullying.
If you are being cyberbullied, you can follow these steps:
- Do not respond to the cyberbully. The bully wants you to respond and may make statements that will trigger you to do so. Block the bully instead of responding.
- Tell your family, friends and, if necessary, the police that you are being bullied. Remember that you are not alone. If you are receiving sexual harassment messages or messages that threaten your life, definitely contact the police.
- Create evidence by taking screenshots or printouts of the bullying. You can use this evidence in legal action when necessary.
- If you are being bullied at school, let your teachers and school management know.
- When you notice someone being cyberbullied online, try to support that person and let them know you can help.
