Patna , The incidents of cyberbullying among children are rapidly increasing. Children are becoming depressed, displaying irritability, and developing a tendency towards negative activities. A survey conducted by the NCERT revealed that 70% of parents grant children and adolescents the freedom to use social media and the internet under the guise of positive activities but do not monitor their online activities. Among them, 58% of children do not share information related to social media and other online activities with their parents, leading them to fall victim to cyberbullying.
In this context, it has been observed that children who spend six to eight hours using mobile phones are more susceptible to cyberbullying. Prolonged internet usage exposes them to enticing advertisements, attractive images, part-time jobs, and content creation, trapping them in the web of cyberbullying. Often, children demand money for engaging in illicit activities related to their online endeavors, contributing to an increase in delinquent behavior.
To ascertain one’s screen viewing time, it is crucial to check the digital well-being and parental control settings in the Android mobile. By navigating to these settings, users can discover how much time they spend on their mobiles and view the display-watching time for various apps, helping in reducing excessive mobile usage.
As cyberbullying becomes a prevalent issue, awareness programs have been initiated. Recently, a program was conducted at the Indraprastha International School in Muzaffarpur to educate children about cyberbullying. Cyber legal expert Aniket Piyush and Traffic DSP Neelabh Krishna provided tips to children on avoiding cyberbullying.
The symptoms of being a victim of cyberbullying include abnormal behavior, sudden quietness, or frequent anger outbursts. To address these signs, counseling should be initiated to rescue children from the clutches of cyberbullying.
NCERT has issued guidelines in three steps for schools, teachers, and students. Schools are instructed to ensure the use of original software in computer labs and maintain secure Wi-Fi passwords. Teachers are directed to regularly check the browsing history of computers used by students. Cyberbullying, in the current scenario, involves the allurement of children through artificial intelligence and deep fakes. Children are drawn to the glitter of these new pieces of information, leading them to websites that ensnare and exploit them. The term cyberbullying encompasses the use of text, explicit images, vulgar language, and threats to capture children in its grip.
