Parental Involvement Key In Decreasing Cyber-Harrassing Incidences

By David Simms, Senior Contributor
The Global Institute for Cyber Safety and Standards

Recent trends in youth cyber-bullying indicate a sharp decrease in large cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, where research shows greater parental involvement. This is ironically contrasted with increased social media penetration in smaller towns where generally less parental control is reported.

It seems there is a rather strong correlation between parents having free and clear access to their children’s accounts, and a trend of less reported incidents of cyber-bullying behaviours. Experts are calling this an indicator that knowledge of one’s parents monitoring actions online is enough to deter most young people from instigating or participating in bullying and other harrassment behaviours. They stretch further to suggest adults would react quite similarly – refraining from cyber-harassment activity – under like circumstances and with the impending sense of consequences for their actions.  

Children fear immediate repercussions from their parents and are under their authority. In most Indian households parental authority is respected and abided by. However, in the adult world, the authority structure necessarily shifts to allow for more autonomy and rights such as privacy. This is so because there is an expectation of maturity and awareness of one’s actions. Interestingly however, the same bully-like behaviours experienced online by children are also seen in adults. It is alarmingly common to see child-like immaturity in many adults who, under the right circumstances, will act out as reckless children. Unfortunately, it takes a sense of consequence and threat of punishment to quell these destructive behaviours for both young and old.  

One key problem arises when right-to-privacy issues come to bear. Whereas children have little privacy with their parents as the monitoring authority and wielders of discipline, adults have ample rights to privacy and with no monitoring, especially on the Internet. It seems for adults a better balance must be struck between reasonable monitoring and the complete lack thereof. Until this happens, there is no doubt the problem of cyber-harassment and all its forms and degrees will continue on indefinitely creating further victim hazard and tangible loss and impeding authorities from dispensing appropriate justice. Much has been done to combat the issues of internet safety and these destructive behaviours but until the safety and standards community stops chipping away at the surface consequences and begins to address the underlying causes and ways to cut them off at the pass, we can expect to boast little about any true degree of change leading to a safer online navigation for users trusting they will be safe when logging on. 

Online addiction is no excuse and never will be.

By Abigail Clarke: Contributing Content Blogger

It has come out lately that more and more mental health administrators are recognising internet addiction as a legitimate condition. Fine. Are they only getting to this now? Yes. The internet is still a fairly new phenomenon but even I could put the dots together to call this one is it really that much a surprise? British doctors are describing those suffering from online addictions as people who have lost touch with the real world through social networks and websites. Really? They say addiction behaviours are much more common than most of us realise and that temptations to overindulge in one’s compulsions are always there for every one of us. Talk about poppycock confusing the issues and it sounds like the granting of excuses and condolences to dangerous individuals who have the power to choose not to do what they do. I refuse to accept that. Giving people an excuse to harm others is empowering to them and only works to increase the explosion of sick behaviours we are already experiencing. Victims of sick online people are seeing lives ruined and committing suicide!

Cyberharassment is the only type of addiction, if you call it that, where the behaviour is focused on harming others, not the behaviour harming the addicted. There is no doubt a phenomenon exists that is going on en masse, but I don’t believe it is an addiction per se and if it really is it can NEVER be used as an excuse or tool to help the violators get off legally from what they do to someone else. I believe what we are seeing is spawned by a new generation incapable of forming normal healthy relationships away from a screen. Look at the world today, much among youth, do they talk on the phone? No. They text. They carry out whole relationships in text. To now label online abusive behaviour as an addiction could dangerously cause more grief going forward. We should be wise to not begin educating the public that this is an addiction issue, rather the unveiling of what has been there all along which is that piece of human nature that finds fascination in seeing others suffer and is willing to harm others for nothing more than a cheap thrill and power trip.

It won't happen to me. Don't count on it.

By Abigail Clarke: Contributing Content Blogger

There is a new study released from Nottingham Trent University revealing peculiarity in how internet users look at the seriousness of cyberbullying. Young people are aware of the ongoing problem of cyberbullying, indeed yes, but the large majority perceive others being more at risk than themselves. Strange, isn't it? Interesting here that young women tend toward holding this view much more than do men. Even stranger to me. This is a perfect example isn't it of what is fueling the problem to begin with? Most people don’t realise the damage this activity causes others. Most, especially those of younger age, are preprogrammed to think they are invulnerable and that the problem will not affect them. How could this be that our young people aren't being schooled about the risks to themselves? That is a lacking in proper education and responsible advisement on internet etiquette.

This makes them either a great candidate to dish out cyberbullying or harassment without regard to other’s feelings, or the unsuspecting victim whose life is gutted because this sort of thing ‘just couldn’t happen to them’! This should be an indication that raising awareness of cyberbullying and the like, cannot end merely with showing people the statistics of what is going on, but needs to also address a more basic schooling of self-awareness. People generally have a keen misperception of how they are perceived by others and what impacts they have on those around them. To fully engage the problem and move closer to a solution, those of the younger generation especially must be educated on the psychology of realistic awareness of self. By being absorbed into the virtual world of social media as much as they are it is no wonder there is a growing separation between what is real and what is not. It is also true that girls tend to view the world in a more romantic sense which coincides with females more often falling victim to cyber-attacks, and to be fair, the reason there are a larger number of female perpetrators of cyber harassment per se. This very important research is screaming the demon loud and clear that there is more than meets the eye in this very human problem. Think about it parents and educators. If we're not teaching young people in a way that sticks that it can happen to them how can they be expected to understand what happens to others?

Twitter Takes Another Step To Protecting Users

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Blogger

Hello, Twitter has been in the news as of late with its plans to crack down on cyberbullies and other internet abusers. Now they have taken another positive step in helping bridge victims between online reporting and real realm reporting to law enforcement officers. They are provide a new option in their Block and Report feature which enables victims to print off a police report to submit in their area.

Here is an article write up discussing the new measure and showing examples of how it will work in action. Please share this with others so they will be aware of the new feature.

http://www.itproportal.com/2015/03/19/twitter-tackle-cyberbullying-print-police-report-option/

Cyberharrassment and bullying is not a myth.

By Abigail Clarke: Contributing Content Blogger

I happened upon an article the other day trying to downplay cyberharassment and bullying. It claimed to be dispelling cyber harassment myths as if these myths were recognised as established. Not so. The article asserted that one of the most common myths is people being turned into cyberbullies by using social media. To me, this seems absurd. Of course nobody is claiming social media itself creates cyberbullies. The creation of a cyberbully mentality starts well before someone becomes acquainted with social media.  Social media is merely the conduit, not the cause.  The article then went on to make the token reassurance that there aren’t as many cyber harassers on the web as it may seem and that a “techno-panic” has been created to give people the impression the problem is much worse than it actually is. Well I disagree. The problem is indeed much worse than most realise and we are seeing dramatic increases in activity not the reverse.  This appears to be more due to the ease at which the Internet can be accessed these days as well as the amount of personal information available that can be exploited against victims.  It is also due to the pervasive element of anonymity that is intrinsic to the nature of online activity. The ability to express latent anger and rage at others without accountability, creates the cyberharasser, not the websites hosting it.  This is not to say social media sites are free from blame, they are enabling the problem.  But we definitely mustn’t be lulled into thinking cyber harassment is not as bad as it seems.  It most certainly is, which most people having any experience on social media can tell you.  

Memes aren't always humorous.

By Abigail Clarke: Contributing Content Blogger

Do you know what a meme is? You see them every day of your facebooks and twitters. A meme is an image, video, or piece of text, typically copied, modified and then circulated about rapidly throughout the internet. These can be humorous I must admit but they also can be used for much damage and hurt. It's an all too common practice for cyberbullies to use memes based around harassment, bigotry, and general mean spiritedness. This cuts into the problem of anonymity, which allows these bully types to be far more willing to engage in aggressive hurtful behaviours for the sole purpose of embarrassing and humiliating a targeted person. 

If you ask me people who generate memes derive from an immature ilk. Only immature and mean-spirited individuals are capable of conceiving and then using such a mode to taunt and make fun of others in very lewd and crude ways. For example it is common for a cyber harasser to cut and paste the image of a target person’s face to that of an animal, object, other person, or to place their photo in the context of something sexually explicit and humiliating.  This is along the same lines as revenge porn but usually always in a mocking and sick joke kind of way. The downside to it all is the fact that memes are very popular.  Why? Because there are just as many immature people out there who will give audience to them. We should all take a lesson from this. What if the memed individual was a dear friend or a close member of your family? What if it were your child or parent?  The fact is cyber harassment of any kind degrades human integrity and chips away at the spirit.  Though it is a certainty immature cyber harassers and bullies will continue to harm others online, the rest of us should not condone by giving audience.  To do so makes us no better than the mob. 

A Society Dictating Moral Order Online Is A Vigilante Society Of Lawlessness

By David Simms, Senior Contributor
The Global Institute for Cyber Safety and Standards

There is a perspective floating around whereby cyber-bullying on social media is viewed as the result of society’s desire to create moral order online. In certain parts of the world shaming others for their mistakes by identifying what is morally right or wrong gives the ability for internet users to shape social codes and force conformity. A graduate student in Yogyakarta Indonesia faced the wrath of thousands of social media users after tweeting negative angry statements about petrol station staff in the city. People rallied together online demanding the student be banished from the province for her demeaning comments. As a result, police arrested her on defamation charges under the controversial Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) law established in that country.  Another case involved a commuting female worker complaining online about how pregnant women always get a seat wherever they board. In just a matter of hours, her post went viral and she faced a chorus of condemnation.

Countries such as Indonesia where ethnic and religious sentiments are very present in the social fabric of society, tend to see much more group mob-like behaviour when it comes to defending cultural or religious practices.  This drives people to utilise social media as a tool to criticise others they see as breaching the moral code. But is it right?

Contrastingly, a recent study by Pew Research Centre revealed that social media actually works to silence public debate in the United States. The study found Americans tend to not voice their opinions in social media, especially when they feel that their opinion is different from popular views.

Regardless of how you look at the issue, using the online platform to harass others into conformity or bash them because they disagree with prevailing views is wrong. This is not to say people should voice scathing negative opinions without considering the impacts of their statements on others. The bottom line is we should all be kinder and more conscientious when it comes to any online interaction. We must always consider how our comments will be taken but we must also restrain from taking up torches to silence others we disagree with.

A society dictating moral order online is a vigilante society of lawlessness and of that we should be very aware and concerned.

The Y-Generation and Female Bullying

By David Simms, Senior Contributor

The Global Institute for Cyber Safety and Standards

Recent reports describe the Y-generation, specifically the 20 or 30 somethings, as being less tolerant of online bullying than other generations. Some say this can be attributed to younger people having grown up with more anti-bullying campaigns in school. Having more information on what constitutes bullying theoretically makes them more vocal against it and less likely to put up with it.  Despite this however, internet harassment, especially in the workplace, does not appear to be slowing down. 

Something of particular interest is the distinction between the harassment perpetrated by men as opposed to women. Woman-on-woman bullying  is actually on the rise, according to Dr. Gary Namie, psychologist and co-founder of the Workplace Bullying Institute, “Bullies are of both genders, but women bullies tend to disrupt relations or pit worker against worker. Men would rather push people around to show hierarchy.”  Regardless, it is becoming clear that the damage inflicted by online bullying can have more traumatic impact than even in-person sexual harassment. This is perhaps because online harassment tends to be much more personalised usually touching on a target’s deepest insecurities which is a common mode of female harassment across the board. 

Statistics also show that over 80 percent of female bullies choose female targets where the bullying typically involves ostracising a victim to spreading rumors or betraying trust. As surprising as it may be to find this kind of activity in the adult workplace, it continues to be a significant problem that only some employers take seriously.  Polls indicate that the vast majority of women experiencing this kind of negativity at work, believe their supervisors and bosses consider it a trivial matter and therefore must endure an abusive environment.  

What Constitutes Cyber Harassment and Bullying

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Content Blogger

Very informative video from law professor Patrick Corbett on what exactly constitutes cyber harassment and bullying in the state of Michigan USA. These precise definitions are much the same in most of the United States and elsewhere. 

Female Bullying vs. Male Bullying Behaviours

By David Simms, Senior Contributor

The Global Institute of Cyber Safety and Standards 

There is a general misconception that aggressive bullying behaviours online are primarily instigated and carried out by males, however this is not accurate.  Female bullying has been found to be especially dominant particularly when it comes to verbal and psychological torment in a cyber context. Although females are also responsible for physical bullying, it is drastically less likely to occur in-person as compared to the Internet. 

A common misunderstanding held by many is that verbal abuse online is relatively harmless and therefore, until recently, has been categorised and dealt with as a trivial matter.  However, to the contrary, scientific research shows that virtual harassment in the form of name calling, rumour spreading, threats, ostracising from groups, and the creating of false realities online, have a definite tangible and physical effect on victims, a fact that is fortunately, albeit slowly, being recognised as a legitimate issue among law enforcement agencies in countries around the world.

Females also tend to partake in online mobbing behaviours. Whereas males traditionally act alone in their aggression, females will often incite others in their group to gang up on a victim, typically another female.  Unfortunately, as the issue of online harassment and bullying is gaining more notice, males are being shown in PSAs and other raising-of-awareness articles and videos, to be the primary instigators. This is not to say that male involvement in online harassment shouldn’t be treated with the same seriousness; male aggression online is known to escalate to physical confrontations much more often than females.  However it is important to recognise that as the cyber harassment issue evolves, we must be mindful that it is much more complex than previously thought, and therefore should be dealt with in a fair and comprehensive fashion.

Workplace Bullying Video identical to Cyberbullying Dynamic

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Content Blogger

I've found a thorough and excellent look at bullying in the workplace and how it negatively effects not just the victims but also the organisations in which it occurs. This clip does focus more on bullying in general but the same motivations, justifications, and consequences of the bully-victim dynamic are identical to cyberbullying so it's worth a look. This is it for me until after the holidays so I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and much prosperity in the new year!

Anti-Bullying short

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Content Blogger

The video I post below does not mention cyber abusements but I thought it important to share. We know in youth, cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment behaviours will often begin as seeds planted at primary or secondary school. Reminding ourselves of this is of some importance. Youth learn to interact with their society and culture at school, and that includes social boundaries and behaviours that will expand to their internet experience. This reminds us of the need to address bullying in all forms for school age children in all countries as a proactive measure against later abusements that would evolve to their online behaviours. Please share this important reminder.

Arab Countries Hold Unique Opportunities To Fend Off Cyber Harm

By David Simms, Senior Contributor
The Global Institute for Cyber Safety and Standards

Sexual harassment is a global problem but a surprising fact is that in most Arab countries it is still relatively new. Prior to the 1980's, Arab women in general tended to stay at home most of the time, only leaving when accompanied by men. We've all heard of such things and the challenges Arab women have been forced to endure. 

There has been a change. Gradually, women began working more outside the home and this practise has become near commonplace and seen as acceptable today in Arab regions. What was once taboo, is now the norm. As such, harassment in all forms against women has increased dramatically as one might imagine. It's obvious cause is that since women are much more visible in the public eye holding public jobs, there will be greater numbers of harassment incidents. This is exactly what is being experienced. Now with the wild-west of the internet becoming ever easier to access, Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and others, are concerned that cyber-bullying and harassment will become as prevalent in their culture as it is elsewhere in the world.  

A recent study determined that only 50% of the Saudi Arabian population has access to computers and even less, only an approximate 30%, have even heard of cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment. Now, together with gradual changes already taking place in Arab cultures especially regarding women, Arab officials are concerned that easy and widespread internet access may seriously jeopardise their traditions and culture further placing women and children in harm’s way. It is only a matter of time that the cyber-harassment crisis reaches the masses in the Middle East. 

Arab nations have a unique opportunity to practise a bit of foresight. They can learn from the mistakes of other nations. Before the internet becomes as widespread there as it is elsewhere, they can put safety policies and set standards in place prior to mass explosion of internet usage and ownership. The question is will they learn?

Ignoring cyberbullies?

By Abigail Clarke: Contributing Content Blogger

When I was young, my eldest sister was bullied at secondary school. I remember her getting the proper sort of advice to ignore it and promised that it would eventually go away. As it turned out for her, the bullying did finally stop. But bullying has changed since then and her situation was tied to in person school days with peers looking to cause trouble.  Now, the internet provides a platform for a new type of bullying that operates differently so why is the advice in dealing with it still the same? Ignore it and hope it goes away? Sorry but this really does not work most of the time unless it's schoolyard bullying. Bullying is basically the same but the way it's perpetrated online is wildly different, and therefore, I think, needs wildly different defenses and countermeasures to fight it.

When a cyber bully is ignored, they usually ramp up their aggressive behaviours knowing they will eventually get a rise out of their target if they keep at them. They can easily recruit the aid of others to either inadvertently or directly gang up on a target. This is a way for them to share the blame by hiding behind others whilst carry out their aggression and creates the illusion they are actually in the right in what they are doing. By ignoring the cyberbully, several negatives are reinforced.  One, silence may give the perception that the bullied person is guilty of whatever is being leveled at them and makes it easier to convince others to join in on the aggression. Two, silence may signal weakness to the bully giving them the impression they are getting to the victim which prompts them to continue their activities and even increase them. The goal of many bullies is to coax and pressure their victim to suicide like it's some kind of sick dare. Three, silence shows the cyberbully that nothing is being done to stop them and that they can get away with the behaviour without responsibility. This encourages them to continue on and start to attack others. Silence can ironically condone the bullying.

So how do you deal with a cyberbully?  First of all, I suggest you don’t engage them directly.  Doing this is not the same as ignoring them but it is a way of cutting off the gratification they derive from their aggression. Without delay you should speak to whomever possible to reveal the bully’s activities. This may be simply going to adults or the websites hosting the activity. Cyberbullies prefer not to be revealed for what they do.  It also shows that in messing with you they will be held accountable and face consequences. One of the worst things a person can do is to be silent and internalise what is happening to them to the point they begin believing what is said about them and blame themselves. For adults who are being cyberbullied, my advice is the same.  Report bullying activity to company officials and to law enforcement. Never hesitate by thinking cyberbullying is trivial and will pass. It rarely does and should be addressed immediately.  It is so important to realise that the problem will not go away if you ignore it. Cyberbullying and abuse isn't the same is childhood bullying amongst children who can be stopped. When it's happening amongst adults that's a different playing field and the same rules don't apply.

NASUWT Campaign for Change

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Content Blogger

Passing along this great bit of information for all interested and in the appropriate region to take part or make further inquiries. 

A UK organisation known as the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), has expressed concern about cyberbullying based on empirical data from a vast collection of teacher experiences. This is the largest teacher's union in the United Kingdom. The group recognises the extreme benefits of using current digital technology, but at the same time are alarmed at the routine abuse of social media, internet sites, and mobile phones in schools. They are now on a mission to campaign for change.

Here is a good article about what they are up to:
http://www.unite4education.org/uncategorized/uk-teachers-union-takes-on-cyberbullying/

and here is a link to their website for contact on getting involved: http://www.nasuwt.org.uk/

Is Cyberbullying a Virus?

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Content Blogger

This is a valuable video I found that likens cyberbullying to a virus and bullies to the infected. The way it's put together is interesting and something we should all consider. Please watch and share this video with others.

South African Information and Communication Technologies

By David Simms, Senior Contributor

The Global Institute for Cyber Safety and Standards

It has been suggested that ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) should be handled differently in different countries, this most in particular when referring to South Africa. Spokespeople claim that though there exists an extreme wealth polarisation in the country, access to ICTs are still prevalent everywhere and becoming more-so exponentially. In conjunction with ubiquitous access, South Africa is experiencing high rates of gender-based violence already prevalent in the country. This is thought to be exacerbating cyber-bullying occurrences. Quantitatively, the risky practice of sexting has escalated considerably more in South Africa than in other countries where gender-based violence is less common. Corporal punishment is still widely used throughout the country and is subject to some controversy. Speculation reveals this is having a direct effect on young people’s propensity toward cyber-harassment and like bullying crimes.

Throughout the European Union, Australia, and North American countries, a united system would prove effective but South Africa may well be one country, summarising its unique set of cultural differences, that may require novel and specifically tailored laws to address the growing cyber problem there. The one commonality with any other country though, is the timing and swiftness of action as nowhere and for no reason should victims continue to be victimised or pursued to suicide.

If Only It Were This Easy (Bullying PSA)

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Content Blogger

Sharing this video PSA on cyberbullying. If Only It Were This Easy displays the very real effects of cyberbullying and reminds us of the drastic end so many victims of online abuse and hate find when they take their lives in suicide. Please watch and share this video and open discussion with your children. Another thing to be reminded of with this is the cry for help from victims. Never dismiss them or believe they won't take action on their talk of suicide. Talking about suicide is a cry for help in desperation of not being able to take on any more pain. We have to listen to victims.

By Carolyn Davies, Contributing Content Blogger

I thought this was well worthy of sharing. This video clip about cyberbullying was posted nearly 9 years ago but it's still as pertinent and poignant today as it was then if not more. Please watch and share. This video was created in 2006 but that was still at a time cyber hate and abuse was just beginning. Look at the technology in this video in the outdated computers and old mobile phones and consider how far the cyber world has come and how all the more deadly and dangerous it is today. Then give ponderance to how deadly and dangerous it will be 9 years from now if nothing is done and the internet continues with no global safety policies and protocol standards. 

(Series Piece 2) Anna Kavanaugh - Syndicated Columnist. Weekly Column - Cyber Abuse: The Virtual Violent Crime

By David Simms, Senior Contributor

The Global Institute for Cyber Safety and Standards

Today we again proudly publish for syndication our featured columnist, Anna Kavanaugh, and her brilliant column, Cyber Abuse: The Virtual Violent Crime. This is Piece 2 and an excellent read in her column series. Anna's is a distinctive and ardent voice of expertise and wisdom in defining and describing what she rightly deems a global pandemic of virtual confusion whereby a societal breakdown of empathy and compassion confuse and pose serious threat to legal boundaries and civilised conduct. It is our honour to now present you with another perceptive and powerful installment of Anna's weekly column. Comments are open on the full article page for feedback and to encourage discussion.

Cyber Abuse: The Virtual Violent Crime. (Series Piece 2)

Written by Anna Kavanaugh, Syndicated Columnist 

Published for syndication by: The Global Institute for Cyber Safety and Standards (GICSS)

The internet has become ground zero to some of the most vicious and profoundly cruel abuse afflicting our society today. It is a gateway for what we are only beginning to understand as virtual violent crime. As victim suicides continue to rise at staggering rates, it is imperative for us to change the dialogue regarding cyber-abuse. Contrary to the comforting advice passed down to children for generations, the online world has dramatically changed its meaning. The more accurate reality of today is this: sticks and stones may break bones, but words can really kill. And they are killing every day.

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