Page 30 - Third Issue

Tips

SAFETY TIPS: PROTECTING

OURSELVES FROM CYBERBULLYING

n increase in incidents like cyberbullying has suitable. These days, in an effort to validate ourselves,
taken place with the rapid development of the we use social media to compare ourselves to others.
Adigital world. Cyberbullying is the term for online Posts that make young people today question their
harassment that includes threats, abuse, and harm to own values and way of life have a big impact on them.
another person. This action involves reaching specific Therefore, our posts should not lead anyone to second-
individuals or groups on social media through emails or guess their value. Instead, they need to be inspired.
apps for chatting. The sending of negative messages, False information is being spread more frequently on
creating rumors, sharing humiliating content, and social media, and this trend doesn’t seem to be going
pretending to be someone else are just a few examples away. Additionally, we might be unintentionally causing it.
of the many different ways that cyberbullying occurs. The Therefore, when someone asks us to share their posts,
effects of cyberbullying can be severe, causing the victim we must do it with consideration.
to experience trauma, emotional pain, and a decline
in their general well-being. They might experience Don’t disclose any of your personal information
social isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression.
Also, cyberbullying can impact a victim’s academic Social media is an excellent medium for making
performance. The victim might have trouble focusing connections with people all over the world. But we must
and be unmotivated. It is essential to understand the be careful about the information we share. There is a
negative effects of cyberbullying and take action to high chance that cybercriminals will use our personal
stop it. Some things can be done to prevent it, such as information to trick us and obtain unauthorized access
increasing awareness, supporting digital education, and to our accounts if we reveal it. Furthermore, leaking
encouraging a safe and secure online environment. information about our locations, routines, or travels could
have harmful effects in the real world, such as letting
Some steps that can be taken to protect ourselves from criminals know when your home is empty or when you
cyberbullying are given below: might be in a favorable circumstance. Financial loss and
undesirable circumstances may result from exposing
Don’t post without thinking information like phone numbers or financial information.
We must be very selective about what we disclose and
The effects of our social media posts are long-lasting. It to whom. Additionally, it can harm personal relationships
might be there due to online activity even after we delete or opportunities for employment if private information,
it later. It can have an impact on our professional and posts, or photos are made public. By disclosing personal
personal lives, leading to real-life misunderstandings information on social media, criminals can easily
or conflicts. Is our post offensive or harmful? Does it manipulate us, which could result in even more abuse.
go against our values? If so, sharing it would not be
30 ICT NEPAL (Issue-3, 2023)