Yumna Ali

Bullying is used to humiliate, threaten, oppress, torment, and tyrannize someone. It can be defined as a continuous misuse of power or authority against a person or a group of people that causes physical, emotional, and social harm to that person or group. If this kind of attitude and behavior happens online, it is called cyberbullying.

What Is Cyber bullying?

With over 100 million users of smart phones in Pakistan, Pakistan has been included in the list of the fastest growing countries that are using internet which only open the doors for the fact that cyber bullying is increasing as well, yet there isn’t any legislation for cyber crimes in Pakistan. 

Harassment: Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages

Denigration: Distributing information about another that is derogatory and untrue through posting it on a Web page, sending it to others through email or instant messaging, or posting or sending digitally altered photos of someone

Flaming: Online "fighting" using electronic messages with angry, vulgar language

Impersonation: Breaking into an email or social networking account and using that person's online identity to send or post vicious or embarrassing material to/about others.

Outing and Trickery: Sharing someone's secrets or embarrassing information, or tricking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information and forwarding it to others

Cyber Stalking: Repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm or are highly intimidating, or engaging in other online activities that make a person afraid for his or her safety (depending on the content of the message, it may be illegal)

Common Forms of Cyber Bullying

In Pakistan it seems that women are the easiest targets to be bullied online, because the National Response Center for Cyber Crimes (NR3C) does not have any legislation for cyber crimes such as hacking and online stalking, there were several incidents that faced women regarding these issues.

Latest incident of Cyber Bullying

Whoever with malicious intent gains unauthorized access to any information system or data shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees or with both

Touching a Phone, or Hitting a Keystroke can Put You Behind the Bars for Six Months!

Laws for Cybercrimes

• Cyber terrorism: (a) the use or threat is designed to

coerce, intimidate, overawe or create a sense of fear, panic or insecurity in the Government or the public or a section of the public or community or sect or create a sense of fear or insecurity in society; or

• (b) the use or threat is made for the purpose or motive of advancing a religious, ethnic or sectarian cause; shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with fine which may extend to fifty million rupees or with both.

You Can be Randomly Picked Up by LEAs

Hacking a Government Website Can Get you Behind the Bars for 14 Years and/or Rs. 50 Million Fine

LEAs Can Come and Confiscate Your Laptop/Mobile or anything They WantYour Website Can Get Blocked, if Someone Thinks its immoralSpamming Can Cause You a Fine of Rs. 1 MillionPublishing a Meme on Facebook can Fine you With Rs. 1 Million

How to prevent cyberbullying: Teenagers should take the effort to educate themselves on proper

“Internet etiquette.” This includes the proper use of emails, texts and other forms of electronic messaging. Many negative posts or messages sent online may simply have been sent accidentally or misinterpreted, leaving either the sender, the receiver, or both embarrassed, humiliated, hurt, or harassed.

1. Use Computer Courtesy: Whether sending an email, chatting in a chat room, or speaking in a

forum, it is important to be courteous and respectful of others onlineone should treat others the way he or she would like to be treated. Likewise, just as you treat others with respect in the real world, it is important that you apply these same basic rules online as well.

Strategy To Prevent CyberBullying

4. Keep Personal Information Private: Posting private and personal information in

the wrong locations can have serious consequences. Identity theft is a rapidly growing concern and divulging too much information could give predators and those with bad intentions valuable information about yourself. When you post your personal information on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites, it is best to restrict your privacy settings so that only your friends can view personal information. If private information is posted in a group setting, read the guidelines prior to posting to ensure that such information will not be disclosed to others.

2. Think Before Posting: . Remember that once entered into the

Internet, online messages, posts, pictures, or videos, will remain there forever, and can be viewed by a massive, unknown online audience. With cyberbullying, one cannot just turn off the computer and expect everything to return back to normal. Even if the victim disconnects himself from the Internet or other electronic devices, cyberbullying can weave itself back into the victim’s school, workplace, or home environment.

Password Safety 1. Never, ever give your password on Facebook, MySpace, Aim, network, email,

or any similar service or cell phone unlock code to a friend. Friendships sometimes don’t last, and that password or PIN can be used against you.

2. Remember your secret answer. When you create an online account, and it asks you to provide an accurate answer to a question you should know ‐ don’t treat it lightly or as a joke. Make sure it’s something you will remember months and years from now in case you have a problem at that time.

3. Do not use passwords based on personal information (your login name, birthdate, address, phone number, middle name, pet’s name, etc.).

4. Use a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and nonalphabetic characters (symbols) if possible.

. Help New Internet Users: Everyone was an Internet “newbie” at one time.

Many children and teen users that gain access to social networking sites, electronic devices, or the Internet for the first time are unaware about how dangerous these devices can be if abused or used inappropriately. Although it is normal to be excited about connecting with all of your friends and classmates online, please be mindful of the fact that there are others on the Internet that abuse their privileges.

You’ve been told “don’t talk to strangers.” Well, people you meet on the Internet are strangers. Other than friends you know in “real life,” people online are not classified as friends.

Never agree to meet an online friend in person. If someone asks to meet you, talk to your parents about it.

Do not lie about your age so you can go somewhere on the Internet that is for adults only.

Do not spend excessive time on the computer. You should partake in other activities, exercise, and set aside time for leisure.

Something you see on the Internet might make you uncomfortable or confused. Tell your teacher or parent right away.

Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online

Talk with your kids about cyberbullying and other online issues regularly.

Know the sites your kids visit and their online activities. Ask where they’re going, what they’re doing, and who they’re doing it with.

Tell your kids that as a responsible parent you may review their online communications if you think there is reason for concern. Installing parental control filtering software or monitoring programs are one option for monitoring your child’s online behavior, but do not rely solely on these tools.

Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices they use.

Ask for their passwords, but tell them you’ll only use them in case of emergency.

Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so.

Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.

8. Be An Active Bystander: Bystanders play a key role in stopping and preventing cyberbullying. Cyberbullies depend on

bystanders to support them or do nothing to stop them. The real leaders are those who choose to take an active role when they witness bullying and decide not go along with the crowd.

If you witness cyberbullying, do not join in, nor stand by idly. Document if you see cyberbullying online, and when Don’t encourage the behavior, it is easy to fall under the peer pressure, but stand up for yourself! Don’t forward hurtful messages Don’t laugh at inappropriate jokes Tell an adult they trust Do not support cyberbullies, stand up for what is right and report cyberbullying cases to reliable

sources – “report center”. Educate yourself on effective preventative measures you can take

What to do if you are a cyberbullying victim: . You CANNOT Just Turn Off the Computer: Those who do not completely understand the

phenomenon often wonder, “What’s the big deal? Why don’t kids just turn off their computers?” However, those who make this statement do not realize that the process is not so simple. There are a number of reasons why “clicking the exit button” or “turning off the computer” simply aren’t viable options for those being cyberbullied.

First, why should a victim be required to interrupt an online experience because of someone else’s maliciousness? It is not appropriate to blame the victim for another’s aggressive actions. No one should have to turn off his or her computer due to harassment received online, just like no one should avoid going to school because of school bullying.

Cyberbullying can continue regardless of whether the target is online. For example, a bully could set up a defamatory Web page or spread rumors via social networking sites. Unfortunately, mistreatment still continues and the bully perpetuates his assaults and cruelty, even when the victim is offline.

Ignore CyberBullies: Do not reply to his or her posts, texts,

etc. Along these same lines, teens that experience cyberbullying online are encouraged to keep a log of journal of all their experiences. Note specific incidents with as much detail as possible, including who was involved, where and when it happened, how they responded, who witnessed the incident, and what was done to prevent its reoccurrence. If the cyberbullying is supplemented with bullying offline, be sure to record all of these activities as well.

3. Protect Yourself:Block the cyberbully on social networking sites, emails, electronic devices, and so on. The less contact you have with the cyberbully, the less damage he or she can doChange your emails, screen names, or other usernames that the cyberbully is contacting you via. Take care in giving them out to family and friends whom you know you can trust, so that you will not need to worry about receiving additional antagonizing messages from those who are cyberbullying you.Keep your social networking profiles on private: make sure not to add anyone you do not know or do not trust to your profile

. Educate Yourself About Cyberbullying It is important, and in some cases required, that schools educates

their students and staff on a regular basis regarding the nature, and consequences of, and prohibitions and penalties associated with, all forms of cyberbullying, and bullying, so that constant and updated awareness of the problem is promoted. Education should occur through the attendance of training workshops and seminars, as well as formalized continuing education initiatives for all members of the school community. Educate yourself on cyberbullying prevention strategies!

Claire Thought She Knew video.mp4