The term "cyberbullying” corresponds to the practices of moral aggression organized by groups, against a specific person and fed by Internet.
In other words, the “cyberbullying” is moral harassment that corresponds to manifestation of hostile practices (via information technologies). This virtual bullying is intended to ridicule, harass and/or persecute someone in an exacerbated way.
With the increased use of social networks, this type of discriminatory and vexatious practice has increased considerably in recent years, especially among young people.
Features and Consequences
Virtual communities, e-mails, social networks, blogs and cell phones are ways for young people to live together. In these ways, they expose themselves publicly, make friends and share ideas.
O "cyberbullying” is the virtual violence that usually occurs to people who are shy and helpless, or simply because they do not fall into the sympathy of tyrants.
Surveys reveal frightening data about attacks via the internet, where one in ten young people has been cyber-attacked.
Typically, bullies create a fake internet profile with the aim of intimidating and ridiculing its victim, which is done through pornographic photo montages with the victim's face, by example. The person who commits the cyberbullying it's called "cyberbullie".
It is important to note that the "cyberbullying” can have drastic consequences, such as someone's death or suicide.
This occurs in greater numbers among young people, who have great difficulties in dealing with problems. Thus, they isolate themselves, get depressed and, in some cases, need psychological support.
Among teenagers, young people and students, these conflicts are common and are part of the affirmation of identity. Researches show that, among teenagers, this type of practice is more common among girls.
Unfortunately, using the internet to organize attacks on people's honor has been a very common practice. These actions have caused great damage in the life of the attacked person.
So many people face the consequences of pages entitled “I hate so-and-so” where the victim, in the majority, minority groups (women, blacks, homosexuals, etc.), become the target of all kinds of cursing.
How to avoid Cyberbullying?
To avoid the danger of young people being manipulated on the internet, parental guidance and supervision becomes very important. This prevents them from falling prey to aggressors who look for easy targets to practice their tyrannies.
Some simple practices should be observed, including:
- Instruct them not to accept invitations from strangers on social media;
- Immediately report to parents if you are a victim of assault online and report it to the website;
- Avoid exposing personal photos and videos on the network, which could be used for malicious montages;
- Install programs that control access to certain websites;
- Monitor websites accessed through browser history;
- Saying that when posting comments or aggressive emails on the network, the person responsible may be held legally responsible.
Bullying vs Cyberbullying
O "bullying” (tyrant, brute) describes the aggressions committed continuously against people who, according to the aggressors, do not fit the “normal” standards.
"Cyberbullying" or "virtual bullying" is the version of the same phenomenon, which has spread to the social networks.
Movie Suggestions
Given the proliferation of virtual attacks, many film producers bet on approaching the topic of Cyberbullying and bringing this discussion to the fore. Check out some of our suggestions below:
- Cyberbullying: Girl Out of the Game (2005): American production directed by Tom McLoughlin.
- The best things in the world (2010): Brazilian production directed by Laís Bodansky.
- cyberbully (2011): American production directed by Charles Binamé.
- cyberbully (2015): British production directed by Ben Chanan.
Read too:
- Violence in Brazil
- Types of Prejudice
- Internet history
- Digital inclusion
- What is fake news?
