There are ways to stop cyberbullying

Awareness and vigilance are key to tackling cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a global phenomenon that shows no sign of being contained. Even though no official statistics are available for the UAE, anecdotal evidence, as well as the fact that the country has one of the world’s highest internet and mobile penetration levels, suggests that this form of abuse does exist and is prevalent here. Young children and adults in the UAE and beyond, as The National reports, are regularly exposed to online cruelty.

What makes cyberbullying so concerning is that it can take place 24 hours a day and that it’s hard to detect. A girl or a boy can be a victim of cyberbullying inside the school gates or in the privacy of their own home. The consequences of such acts can be life-changing.

The victims are at increased risk of suffering from depression, anxiety and other stress-related illnesses. Research has shown that they are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs, have low self-esteem and get poor exam results. In some cases they also attempt suicide. There are, however, ways to prevent it.

Parents must be the first line of defence. But to play their role, it’s vital that they keep lines of communication open with their children. In many cases, young people are reluctant to talk about cyberbullying to their parents if they think that, as a result, their access to technology will be limited. They might also fear that their parents will overreact. It’s equally crucial for parents to teach their children that they can stop bullies.

Schools can also play a major role in working with parents to prevent and remedy cyberbullying situations. Currently it’s almost impossible for schools to take action against students for offences committed outside school premises, but they have a duty to educate pupils in the classroom on ethics and online dangers.

Increasing the level of awareness on this issue will enable children who become victims of cyberbullying to protect themselves by applying three rules of online safety: stop, block and tell.

Although it’s not possible to completely eliminate this phenomenon, we can stop it it when we know it’s happening. The best way, and the one that most of us have control over, is to stay alert of our children’s online activities and to keep lines of communication open.