Cyber-bullying: A Growing Epidemic

Now that I'm awake, I started reflecting on a lot of things. Most especially on the presentation topic "Cyber Bullying in Nigeria, A growing epidemic" presented by NySC 2017 Batch "A" Stream 1 ICT/ Education CDS group, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra on the during the NySC general CDS meeting held at Orunba South L.G.A. Secretariat on Thursday 27th, 2017.

The Internet is today regarded as the most technologically advanced medium of communication the 

world over because of its capacity to share digital information through a common set of networking and software protocol (Okorie, 2009; Okorie & Oyedepo, 2011). The Internet has been a major driver in facilitating social interaction among people across the globe. In addition, the Internet has opened new vistas in promoting social interaction, learning and online dating among young people across the globe.

The explosive growth and development of the Internet has significantly contributed to the emergence of social networking sites in the cyber space (Okorie, Ekeanyanwu & Obanua, 2010; Okorie & Oyedepo, 2011; Okorie, Oyedepo & Usaini, 2012). The Internet has also transformed the cultural landscape in modern societies by re-inventing the way individuals interact and how relationships are developed. Okorie and Oyedepo (2011) argue that social networking sites are often considered innovative and different from the traditional media such as television, radio, film, newspaper and magazines. This is because they allow direct interactions with others. In a study by Lenhart and Madden (2007) on the influence of Facebook and other social networking sites in the United States, it was discovered that 50% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 log on daily to social networking sites and another 22% logged on to different social networking sites several times per day. 

In recent times, the growing influence of the Internet has created several societal vices. One of such is the practice of Cyber-bullying among young people across the globe.

"Cyber-bullying" is Cyber-bullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites such as Facebook, twitter, WhatsApp, 2go, text messages, chat, and websites to harass, threaten or intimidate someone. 

Cyber-bullying can include such acts as making threats, sending provocative insults or racial or ethnic slurs, gay bashing, attempting to infect the victim's computer with a virus and flooding an e-mail inbox with messages, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

Cyber-bullying is often done by children, who have increasingly early access to these technologies. The problem is compounded by the fact that a bully can hide behind a pseudonymous user name, disguising his or her true identity. This secrecy makes it difficult to trace the source and encourages bullies to behave more aggressively than they might in a situation where they were identified.

People who are being cyber-bullied are often bullied in person as well. Additionally, people who are cyber-bullied have a harder time getting away from the behavior.

Cyber-bullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach an individual even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night.

Cyber-bullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.

Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.

With phone penetration at 96 million according to figures by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and mobile internet fast overtaking traditional ‘fixed’ internet in the country, the need to protect young consumers from threats such as Cyber-bullying and harmful content is becoming an increasingly pertinent issue.

Cell phones and computers themselves are not to blame for Cyber-bullying. Social media sites can be used for positive activities, like connecting kids with friends and family, helping students with school, and for entertainment. But these tools can also be used to hurt other people. Whether done in person or through technology, the effects of bullying are similar.

The same things that happen on the playground can also happen online including being cruel to other people online.

And as the demand for stylish smartphones by younger Nigerians seems on the rise due to some special features and applications embedded in them, which allow for more efficiency and flexibility that aid productivity, the dangers of exposure to harmful contents are also becoming a source of worry.

People who are cyber-bullied are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, experience in-person bullying, have lower self-esteem, have more health problems e.t.c

Because reliable statistics are hard to come by in Nigeria, it is hard to estimate the number of younger Nigerians that own a smartphone, but it is believed that there are close to 25 million smartphone users in the country, out of which some 65 per cent are youth.

Majority of phone users in the country have received unwanted calls or messages on their phone from someone pretending to be someone else.

Issues such as hate crimes, religion, appearance or sexual orientation as well as rumor mongering have been spread freely with the smartphones.

Urgent attention must be paid to Cyber-bullying. Nigeria must not carry on as if it does not matter.

It is sad that whilst young people could once escape bullying by leaving school or going home, today the bullies are only as far away as the PC or mobile phone.

And because parents and guardians are away from their children and wards most of the time, help for victims rarely come.

The NCC need to bark and bite. It must compel mobile phone providers to offer some parental control services, including blocking specific contacts or phone numbers and transferring text messages to a secure folder which can be used as evidence with the school or police.

We must act now because Cyber-bullying is dangerous and can cause low self-esteem, skipping school, depression and even suicide.

Harmful content and online threats can be more harmful than face-to-face bullying, because there’s no escape. It can happen round the clock.

If you are a victim, you can deal with Cyber-bullying to some extent by limiting computer connection time, not responding to threatening or defamatory messages, and never opening e-mail messages from sources you do not recognize or from known sources of unwanted communications. More active measures include blacklisting or white listing e-mail accounts, changing e-mail addresses, changing ISPs, changing cell phone accounts and attempting to trace the source.

Because the use of mobile and online communications has grown so rapidly and the crime is relatively new, many jurisdictions are deliberating over Cyber-bullying laws. However, the crime is covered by existing laws against personal threats and harassment. In some cases, it may be advisable to inform the local police department or consult an attorney. It is not recommended that you retaliate in kind because such behavior can lead to heightened attacks, or even civil actions or criminal charges against you.

Sources:

* Nigeria Communication Week

* ICT, Cyber-Bullying, and Self-disclosure: An experiential study of Twitter

* stopbullying.gov

* whatis.techtarget.com

* NySC 2017 Batch "A" Stream 2 ICT/ Education CDS group presentation, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra.

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