Cyber Security - Dhruvika Saini - VIII-B

OVERVIEW

A definition of cyberbullying is an aggressive, intentional act or behavior that is carried out by an individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself.There are many variations of the definition,"the process of using the Internet, cell phones or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person."Cyberbullying is often similar to traditional bullying, with some notable distinctions. Victims of cyberbullying may not know the identity of their bully, or why the bully is targeting them, based on the online nature of the interaction. The harassment can have wide-reaching effects on the victim, as the content used to harass the victim can be spread and shared easily among many people and often remains accessible long after the initial incident.

The terms "cyberharassment" and "cyberbullying" are sometimes used synonymously, though some people use the latter to refer specifically to harassment among minors or in a school setting.

Cyberstalking is a form of online harassment in which the perpetrator uses electronic communications to stalk a victim. This is considered more dangerous than other forms of cyberbullying because it generally involves a credible threat to the victim's safety. Cyberstalkers may send repeated messages intended to threaten or harass, and they may encourage others to do the same, either explicitly or by impersonating their victim and asking others to contact them.

Means of cyber bullying

The use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature is called Cyber Bullying.

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. ... Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else.

Cyberbullying can take place on social media sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.

Cyberbullying involves repeated behavior with intent to harm.

Cyberbullying is perpetrated through harassment, cyberstalking, denigration (sending or posting cruel rumors and falsehoods to damage reputation and friendships), impersonation, and exclusion (intentionally and cruelly excluding someone from an online group).

Cyberbullying can be as simple as continuing to send emails or text messages harassing someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender. It may also include public actions such as repeated threats, pejorative labels hacking into or vandalizing sites about a person, and posting false statements as fact aimed a discrediting or humiliating a targeted person.

Law Enforcement

SCHOOLS:

The safety of online privacy issues in schools is increasingly becoming a focus of state legislative action.’In 2012, a group of teenagers in a design class New Haven, Connecticut developed an application to help fight bullying, "Back Off Bully" (BOB). This is an anonymous resource for computer, smart phone or iPad, designed so when someone witnesses or is the victim of bullying, they can immediately report the incident. The app asks questions about time, location and how the bullying is happening, as well as provides positive action and empowerment regarding the incident. The reported information goes to a database, where it may be studied by administrators.

PROTECTION:

There are laws that only address online harassment of children or focus on child predators, as well as laws that protect adult cyberstalking victims, or victims of any age. Currently, there are 45 cyberstalking laws on the books. While some sites specialize in laws that protect victims age 18 and under.

Several states, including Florida, California, and Missouri have passed laws against cyberbullying. California prohibits the use of an electronic device to cause someone to fear for their life.

HARMFUL EFFECTS

Cyberbullying causes psychological, emotional and physical stress. Each person's response to being bullied is unique, but research has shown some general tendencies. StopBullying.gov reports that youth who are bullied have a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

Victims may have lower self-esteem, increased suicidal ideation, and a variety of emotional responses, including being scared, frustrated, angry, and depressed.[4] Cyberbullying may be more harmful than traditional bullying, because there is no escaping it.

AWARENESS

The Cybersmile Foundation is a cyberbullying charity committed to tackling all forms of online bullying, abuse, and hate campaigns. It was founded in 2010 in response to the increasing number of cyberbullying related incidents of depression, eating disorders, social isolation, self-harm and suicides devastating lives around the world. Cybersmile provides support to victims and their friends and families through social media interaction, email and helpline support. They also run an annual event, Stop Cyberbullying Day, to draw attention to the issue.

n 2007, YouTube introduced the first Anti-Bullying Channel for youth (BeatBullying), using the assistance of celebrities to tackle the problem.

Some Real life Incidents

In March 2010, a 17-year-old girl named Alexis Skye Pilkington was found dead in her room by her parents. Her parents claimed that after repeated cyberbullying, she was driven to suicide.

Another 13-year-old took her life due to cyberbullying. She’s suffered from epilepsy and her classmates taunted her for that. This in-school bullying continued through online platforms and forums. They’d often tell herself to kill herself because of her condition.

At one point, a classmate left her a voicemail saying “I hope you died.” Hailee couldn’t take the bullying anymore and killed herself.