By Comfort Kuntu Blankson (UniMAC-IJ, Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies, esiblankson746@gmail.com)
Do you know about Cyberbullying? Have you ever been bullied online? It will interest you to know that cyberbullying can take many forms, such as sharing private information without consent, sending abusive or hurtful messages or even creating fake profiles to impersonate someone.
Cyberbullying on the other hand have severe repercussions on its victims and this can be leading the victim into emotional distress, depression and can even lead the victim to commit suicide.
A typical example is when a TV presenter, Serwaa Amihere’s sexual video was shared online without her consent. In as much as she was seen on TV after the incident, it still had a negative impact on her where people were criticizing her. Although, she did it, it was her private information but somehow it came out without her permission and one way or the other affected her therefore she had to release a press statement to apologize to her audience.
The anonymity provided on the internet has given individuals the effrontery to say anything they wouldn’t say in person and it’s making it harder to identify and stop them. And another challenge with Cyberbullying is that it happens at every turn and even reaches the victims in the safety of their homes.
To put a stop to cyberbullying, it’s important to raise awareness about its harmful effects, encourage open communication between parents and children, and teach safe online practices. Schools and organizations can implement policies to address cyberbullying and provide support to those affected.
If you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying, it’s important to seek help and support. Don’t suffer in silence. Talk to a trusted adult, friend, or counsellor.
By working together to create a safe and respectful online community, we can combat cyberbullying and promote a positive and inclusive virtual environment for everyone. Let’s buckle up against cyberbullying and spread kindness and empathy online.
