6 Important Questions Answered about Cyber Bullying

What is Cyber-Bullying?

Cyber-Bullying is an act of harassment and abuse that takes place within a digital setting, most commonly classified as Internet or Online-based forums. Due to the fact that the act of Cyber-Bullying is inherent to a virtual realm, the classifications of the individual types of Cyber-Bullying that exist are expansive in nature. With regard to the victims involved, Cyber-Bullying can take place as a result of prejudice towards individual sexual orientation, age, or religion. The effects of Cyber-Bullying may range from the onset of depression to suicide.

What is Social Network Cyber-Bullying?

Social networking sites that allow individual users the opportunities to create personal profiles in the form of individual ‘profiles’, defined as summaries or biographies belonging to individual users, will typically contain a wide range of avenues for interpersonal communication and the exchange of media. Due to the fact that social networks allow for their users to upload pictures, text, and information onto their profiles, individual users will range within the nature of interpersonal connections, including ‘real life’ or ‘virtual’ acquaintances.

As a result of the growth of social networking in the modern age, the rise in Cyber-Bullying has followed suit. This type of activity may include negative, derogatory, or abusive comments expressed on the personal profile of the individual victim of Cyber-Bullying. Due to the nature of Cyber-Bullying, these comments may be expressed both from individuals acquainted with the victim, as well as individuals who have never met the victim.

In many cases, Cyber-Bullying will take place with regard to pictures or other media posted. Because social networking profiles may be fraudulent or misrepresentative, anonymous and clandestine Cyber-Bullying can take place.

What is ‘Chat Room’ Cyber-Bullying?

Online ‘Chat Rooms’, or electronic, real-time communication, allow users to engage in real-time conversations over the Internet. While this type of communication was once limited to text, advances in modern technology has allowed for individuals to participate in speech-based and video-based chats. Although many chat rooms employ a ‘moderator’, who serves as an ad-hoc mediator to ensure that the chat is regulated to legal activity, the anonymity and clandestine nature of chat rooms contribute to prospective Cyber-Bullying.

Common Cyber-Bullying taking place within chat rooms is primarily rooted within harassment and verbal abuse. This includes the verbal or emotional debasement directed at a victim. This type of unwelcomed, uninvited, and unsolicited abuse can result from both acquaintances of the victim, as well as individuals who have never met the victim.

What is Electronic Correspondence (E-Mail) Cyber-Bullying?

E-mail Correspondence may facilitate abusive expression and harassment through text-based, electronic communication. This type of Cyber-Bullying is quite common within the digital age, including the abusive and harmful posing of threats with regard to the exploitation or extortion of private details inherent to the victim of this type of Cyber-Bullying. These types of threats may also include the destruction of property, physical harm, or virtual trespass onto or into the computer belonging to the victim.

Which Legal Field Addresses Cyber-Bullying?

Cyber Law is the legal specialty that focuses on legislation, decorum, legality, and ethics with regard to computer networks, the internet, electronic commerce, the online marketplace, and virtual commercial activity. Cyber-Bullying is quite common within the digital age and can include the illegal and unlawful seizing of personal data, the unwelcomed electronic monitoring of another individual, or the verbal or emotional harassment of the victim.

How Can I Report Cyber-Bullying?

In the event you or someone you know has been or is currently the victim of Cyber-Bullying, you are encouraged to contact the National Cyber Alert System, which is sponsored by the United States Department of Homeland Security. Individuals are also encouraged to contact the National Crime Prevention Council through their telephone number: (202) 466-6272. Remember, Cyber-Bullying is considered to be a crime of both an abusive and harassing nature. Neither you nor anyone else is required to undergo any nature of abuse.