Cyber Bullying and Mission Josh
Cyber Bullying is a form of harassment that is done by an individual or group of people against someone through online platform or social media. When someone posts rumours, threat, sexual remarks, personal information etc against another person at digital platform he/she commits Cyber Bullying. This is most prevalent among teenagers because of their vast exposure to the technology. It is an aggressive behaviour carried out again and again against a person because he/ she are unable to defend him/her. It is often known as “Cyber Harassment”. It can be done simply by sending text messages or emails or making public actions like defamatory false allegations, sexual remarks, and threats, hacking into one’s personal account or site and posting false statements about someone in order to generate hatred against him among the people. Cyber Bullying leads to serious health and mental issues of the victims. Constant high stress level, or fear lead to lower energy level, low appetite, mood swings & anxiety, and problems in sleeping.
Different types of Cyber Bullying:
- Doxing: revealing personal information of someone for defaming or humiliating him/her.
- Harassment: posting or sending threats or intimidating messages to someone.
- Impersonation: hacking one’s account or making fake ones to defame a person.
- Cyber stalking: stalking and monitoring one’s personal activities to harass him/her.
Preventing Cyber Bullying-
- As a parent or guardian be aware of the child’s online activity–
Do not allow them to use internet freely as they want, always monitor the websites and apps the child uses, encourage them to engage in offline or outdoor activities more. Engaging them in outdoor activities will keep them fit and healthy as well as will help to keep their mind stable and improve their concentration power.
- Following are the signs of cyber bullying in children–
Refusing the parents to see or discuss about their online activity. If they are dealing with stress or any problem they will tend to be alone and refuse to talk with their parents regarding any online activity.
Sudden, increased or decreased online activity or deactivating their online accounts, any unexpected hasty change in online activity.
Emotional responses like anger, sadness etc will show on their faces if they are dealing with any issue while using their devices.
Parents should teach them about Cyber Bullying and teach them about the precautions the children can take against avoiding it,
- Do not participate in such activity.
- Never share your passwords.
- Block the bullies.
- End any conversation with them, do not see their messages.
- If someone trying to bully them, the child should report it to their parents.
Cyber Bullying Laws in India
There are various provisions but not specific in the legal system of India related to cyber bullying. Laws like Section 67 of the Information Technology Act prescribes punishment for posting obscene material in online platform for a term which may extend to five years or fine which extend to ten lakh rupees or both; Section 507 of Indian Penal Code states that if anyone threatens someone will be punished with imprisonment up to two years; Section 66 E of Information Technology Act prescribes punishment for violation of privacy, i.e. if someone violates privacy of other person by capturing or publishing private pictures of other person will be punished with up to three years of imprisonment or fine of three lakh rupees or both.
Mission JOSH
Recently, actress Sonakshi Sinha joined Mission Josh and has started backing up the platform in order to put a full stop to Cyber Bullying. Cyber Bullying has been increasing in India over recent years and bullies have targeted everyone from small students to high profile people. So in order to put a final end to such bullies she has stood up and taken a stand. She herself has been a victim to Cyber Bully, she fought bravely in her situation and now she wants to encourage the youth to fight against such bullies and handle these situation calmly without hampering our own mental conditions. She further added that, “Social media platform was made to spread love and positivity but unluckily; it has become a place with aggressive cyber harassment and mental torture. With Mission Josh, we aim to bring awareness about cyber bullying, trolling, cyber laws which one can use to protect oneself”. She has teamed up with Special IGP Mr. Pratap Dighavkar to stop this problem and create awareness by her campaign.
by- ojasvi madan
