Tackling Cyberbullying

Tackling Cyberbullying

For young people life without internet and mobile phones is impossible to imagine. Connecting with friends is instantaneous, anytime, anywhere. But there are negatives, and a huge one is the use of these technologies to bully, known as ‘cyberbullying’. 

‘In Australia 1 in 10 teenagers has experienced cyberbullying’.

One of the issues of the internet is it allows a platform to remain anonymous, so people who may not behave in a certain way normally, feel they can get away with it. The use of social media platforms to bully has become all too common; it has created an environment that can pervade all aspects of a victim’s life. The consequences can be disastrous not just for the victim but also for the families of victims. 

So what can we as a community do? What are people doing to combat this issue? What initiatives are being put in place to protect young people? 

 

Changes at a legislative level are starting to appear that deal with cyberbullying to some extent. For example in Canada laws have been introduced that prohibit the sending of intimate images without consent. In Australia each state and territory has different laws to deal with bullying but not cyberbullying as such. A website called lawstuff has been set up for young people and children to get advice. Also the Australian government promotes ‘staysmart online awareness week’, which is held in June to promote issues such as cyberbullying and how to deal with them. Much more needs to be done at a legislative level to deal with cyberbullying specifically worldwide.

One initiative I come across that I think will go a long way to helping address the issue of cyberbullying and bringing it into the awareness of the community to be dealt with effectively is Project Rockit – an interactive anti-bullying and leadership program run by young people for young people. The main idea behind this program is to empower young people to make change by tackling issues important to them, such as cyber bullying, by encouraging young people to act and speak out through such avenues as video campaigns. 

Many websites such as Reachout and Kidspot are available for parents, young people and children to help increase awareness surrounding cyberbullying and a point to obtain further help.

Ultimately the one place that will be central to creating awareness and changing young people’s online behaviours is the school environment. A report by the ABC into schools in Tasmania that have embraced social media has displayed a decline in cyberbullying occurrence. The idea is by embracing social media they are better able to teach responsible use. If you ban and block use you can’t educate how to use responsibly. Initiatives that promote young people taking a stance against cyberbullying and being supported by teachers and parents will be vital in the fight against cyberbullying. 

References:

ABC News 2013, ‘Schools tackle cyber bullying’, ABC News, 13 September, viewed 6 February 2014, <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-13/schools-tackle-cyber-bullying/4957638>.

Global News 2013, ‘New cyberbullying bill to prohibit sending ‘intimate images’ without consent’, Global news, 20 November, viewed 6 February 2014, <http://globalnews.ca/news/978508/federal-legislation-expected-today-to-tackle-cyberbullying/>.

Pedestrian Daily n.d., Watch: young Australian’s tackle cyber bullying in new video campaign, viewed 6 February 2014, <http://www.pedestrian.tv/news/arts-and-culture/watch-young-australians-tackle-cyber-bullying-in-n/d0af7159-b59d-4f7e-b851-0498b2f0ab26.htm>.

Project Rockit 2014, Fighting cyber abuse, Project rockit, viewed 6 February 2014, <http://www.projectrockit.com.au/>.

Staysmartonline 2014, Awareness week, Stay smart online, viewed 6 February 2014, <http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/awareness_week>.

Youthbeyondblue 2013, Cyberbullying, Youthbeyondblue  fact sheet 23, viewed 6 February 2014, <http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/youthbeyondblue-fact-sheet-23-cyberbullying.pdf>.