To report or not to report - that is the question...
I wanted to write a blog on a more serious topic for you guys - serious but important! I’m discussing the internet and the threat of cyberbullying with a self help guide to what you can do to prevent and stop any negative behaviour online that you see.
Let’s stat with some positives! The emergence of the world wide web, social media and new media has brought much progress in the ability for people to express themselves, allowing freedom of expression. For instance posting content online has given many people the feeling of being honest with who they are and have in turn found others with similar interests or attitudes. Facebook and YouTube has proved a popular outlet for people to express themselves for example many people who are homosexual ‘come out’ on a video that they share on these platforms.
There has been many positives created from someone having an online presence, however as with most things the negatives of it can be larger than first expected. Whilst the internet has proved to be an aid or positive in many peoples lives there is a much more sinister side to the web. In recent years people have begun to speak out about online abuse or bullying that they have received through social media and the extreme hurt that this causes individuals.
Jesy Nelson, part of Little Mix and performed on X Factor with the group spoke out to the BBC earlier this year and shared her experiences of being cyberbullied. "It used to make me cry. I was shocked at the time," she told Cosmopolitan in an interview in 2016."I was a young girl and I thought, 'What have I done to you? Why do you have to be mean to me?'
It is clear that the ability to write and share content that has the intention to hurt or distress someone else online is easily done. The laptop, computer or device asks as a mask and something that users can ‘hide behind’ that are committing the offences.
But what can you do if you witness or are a victim or cyberbullying, trolling or abuse?
First of all it is important to highlight that these actions that are being taken against you or someone else that is vulnerable can be against the law. It is against the UK law to use social media in any way to cause alarm or distress to another individual and could be against the Harassment Act of 1997. Therefore you can naturally speak to your friends and family about the situation and then the next port of call may be to ring the Police.
Given that there are a huge collection of online messaging apps available now and widely used such as Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger etc, abusive messages can be sent with greater ease by the offender. Naturally it is always possible to block someone or to have a go back at them and tell them where to get off - but don’t be tempted! On the other hand do not feel afraid to block them! - Your mental health is worth more than that, don’t give them the ability to send any more to you. It may be a good idea to screenshot or print any abusive messages you do receive beforehand though!
Shockingly from the graph chart below you can see the percentage of young people that experience bullying on their mobile phone device, and the results are upsetting. Young people aged 8-11 acknowledging that they have seen or have been bullied through a mobile phone is crazy to think about at such an age. But it is clearly sadly present.
The overarching message throughout this, that I want to project, is that there is no such thing as an innocent witness. Please do not stand by and read, watch or allow cyberbulling or abuse to continue to take place. No one deserves to feel threatened or abused by anyone. Many apps and websites have the option for you to report something that you don’t believe is polite, positive or constructive and the site will then investigate. Something as simple as this action could prove to be the starting trigger to ensure someone receives support and the hurt is stopped.
See it. Report it. Act on it.
Thank you
Jesy Nelson interview. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3QcD9W13Dr0bxmt4CMWVkGk/7-stars-who-have-personal-experiences-of-online-bullying
Graph chart cyberbullying. Retrieved from:https://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-young-girls-are-the-biggest-victims-of-mobile-cyberbullying-2014-10?r=US&IR=T
