The increase in screen time on digital devices during the pandemic has increased the risks of cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying takes place online, with people using digital platforms to ridicule and mock others.
Shaun Pakade, a cyber security specialist at ESET, a company which protects people online through their devices, said cyberbullying was dangerous as it was quickly spread and amplified across social media and digital communication platforms.
He said information was recorded in cyber space and this prolonged the lifetime of bullying incidents.
Cyberbullying emanates from existing human traits. The digital platforms are simply a tool and people sometimes use it to carry out their emotional imbalances
Pakade was speaking to the Dispatch on the dangers of cyberbullying and its effects, especially among children.
“This week we saw the tragic case of Lufuno (Mavhunga), the Limpopo pupil who ended her life after being bullied at school. Lufuno was physically bullied, the incident was recorded and then went viral on social media platforms,” Pakade said.
Her traumatic experience was witnessed by the entire country.
Pakade said cyberbullying was also prominent in adults, but children did not have the cognitive dissonance or emotional intelligence to fight back.
“Cyberbullying emanates from existing human traits. The digital platforms are simply a tool and people sometimes use it to carry out their emotional imbalances.
“The digital space offers real-time access to information, making things spread like wildfire,” Pakade said.
He said cyberbullying was also found in gaming, and communication. It was prevalent on applications such as WhatsApp.
Pakade said parents played a paramount role in identifying and mitigating cyberbullying.
It is important for parents to have discussions with their children on the dangers of social media and the cyber space. They need to be intentional about the information they give their children
“It is important for parents to have discussions with their children on the dangers of social media and the cyber space. They need to be intentional about the information they give their children and warn them of the dangers of the cyber space and how they can best protect themselves from it,” Pakade said.
He said ESET had developed a parents’ control app which would allow parents to monitor their children’s screen time and control their access to social media apps.
“Instead of wanting to see your child’s phone all the time and taking it from them, you can control what they consume on the digital space on your own devices,” Pakade said.
He said children’s digital literacy was at an advanced stage and urged parents to keep up.
Pakade said the behavioural indicators of cyberbullying in children included youngsters becoming “emotional” and “energised”.
Educational psychologist Jessica Wasserman said all forms of bullying were traumatic.
“Cyberbullying is a more recent form of bullying that gives bullies the anonymity — which is a danger because the threat remains hanging over the victim,” Wasserman said.
She said bullying was an adverse and traumatic childhood experience which could affect the neurological system.
Physical and virtual bullying were an attack on the entire system and posed a direct threat to the child.
“Bullying is a form of abuse,” she said.
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