Cyberbullying: Causes, Effects, and Prevention

The provided document is an academic assignment that delves into the complex issue of cyberbullying. It examines the underlying factors that contribute to this phenomenon, including inequality of income, weak legal systems, and poor emotional support for individuals. The document also highlights the importance of education, awareness programs, and unity in preventing cyberbullying. It references several studies and research papers that discuss the effects of cyberbullying on mental health, social relationships, and online behavior.

Business Law
Case Study
Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Discussion of context..................................................................................................................1
Critical analysis ..........................................................................................................................2
Positioning of argument..............................................................................................................3
Conclusion/Recommendations....................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Business law comprises legislations and rules governing establishment, practices and
dealings of commercial nature of an organization (Whittaker and Kowalski, 2015). It is wide in
nature and has defined number of offences and their individual punishments or penalties. The
report highlights critical evaluation of a chosen topic followed by a recommendation(s).
MAIN BODY
Discussion of context
Cyberbullying is a newly emerged form of terrorism that attack individuals online. It is
the misuse of information technology to harass or harm other people. It affect in a negative way
and its exposure is very risky which can give number of mental problems. The outcomes of it are
more dangerous than physical violence. The usage of technology has increased rapidly and
majority of people across the world has access to internet due to which addiction to use online
platforms have doubled. Children especially, teenagers are victims of cyberbullying. From the
past records as provided by government of different countries, online harassment, humiliation,
defamation on internet are some of the reasons contributing to vast number of suicide cases. It is
becoming a prime issue due to lack of strict regulations and rules applied online (Brewer and
Kerslake, 2015). It can be done by posting offensive photos, videos, matter etc. with an intention
to defame the person. Furthermore, the other problems its could lead to are anxiety and
depression which can sustain for a long time destroying the life and career of the victim. The
elements that forces an individual are deprivation of self-regulation and potential susceptibility to
peer pressure.
Figure 1: Percentage experiencing cyberbullying by gender
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According to data published by UK government (2018), 7% of children between the age
group of 10 to 15 have experienced cyberbullying. Girls were more prone to this as compared to
boys. It is should be considered seriously and given required focus to resolve this which is no
less than a disease which has escalated and expanded to large share of variety of areas in the
world (Fryling, M., and et. al., 2015).
Critical analysis
Cyberbullying has been originated from the word bullying which is general term means
to coerce or intimidate with a view to harm others. There is a digital threat which attacks
individuals through technology. It affect in negatively which can have hurts people emotionally
and mentally and in extreme case compel them to attempt suicide. It should be controlled
effectively in order to mitigate its presence on the internet (Gualdo, A.M.G.,and et. al., 2015).
Currently, UK does not have a particular act which can be applied to cases of
cyberbullying. Also, there is no legal definition of this word. However, there are number of
legislations available which can be applied to cyberbullying which are, Protection from
Harassment Act, 1997, Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, 1994, Malicious Communication
Act, 1988 and many more. However, there should be an act which will govern cyberbullying.
Legislations form a basis and provide security which will protect citizens from number of digital
issues. Also, timely amendments should be done for eliminating loopholes which can help an
accused go away freely. There should be balanced control over apps which might possess
malicious information which have potential to defame, humiliate or harass somebody over the
internet. Since, it is in developing stage, it can be prevented through effective legal mechanism.
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UK government has taken initiatives by instructing schools to introduce the concept of
cyberbullying and its related aspects. It helps in increasing the knowledge among children who
are likely to get affected the most to prevent cyberbullying ad save oneself from any sort of
mental pressure. Along with this, a person should be taught to have self-regulation and control
and should not be influenced by peer pressure. Furthermore, the amount of time spent on internet
on daily basis must be reduced significantly so that such incidents can be prevented. In case
person has come across cyberbullying, he or she should inform it to his/her parents, teachers or
guardians so that prompt actions can be taken (Navarro, R., and et. al., 2015).
Positioning of argument
There have bee a number of instances when an innocent who has no idea about
cyberbullying or usage of internet has been convicted by the authorities. Since, there is
inadequacy in legal provisions to prevent cyberbullying, people will be held without even
committing any offence. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and many
other similar digital platforms strongly discourage any kinds of activities which may result into
cyberbullying or harassment etc. They have provided their specific guidelines and standards
which should be considered before writing or posting something online.
Furthermore, all countries should come together to suggests and formulate an integrated
law which will govern cyberbullying as its a major issue. Technology can prove to be a blessing,
if used in for right motive. There is a positive aspect of internet as it accessed by huge number of
people, it can be used a digital platform to raise awareness about cyberbullying. Furthermore, an
online forum can also be provided, where all the victims can right about the incidents they have
suffered from. Along with this, remedies can also be sought with a view to stop it (Cross, D., and
et. al., 2016).
The need to defame or harassment comes from within. A good education with moral
values can change behaviour of a person. This is a prime factor which leads many individual to
engage in cyberbullying. The other aspect could be parents not paying attention to their kids at
growing age. Their absence make their children spend more time on internet and get trapped in a
thing called cyberbullying. Also, every individual should also ways motivated which can have
positive influence on their thinking and actions. Ultimately, changes begin from home.
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Conclusion/Recommendations
As per the whole matter which has been written above ad interpreted, it can be said that it
a key matter which should be dealt with caution and utmost care. There should not be left any
scope which can add more problems to existing ones. Cyberbullying has never resulted anything
favourable, in fact, it has only increased in cases of depression and suicides. Teenagers when
growing become delicate and difficult to handle frustration, which makes them take decisions
which are absolutely wrong. Furthermore, a person finds happiness in degrading others, it a
common perception of majority of people which encourages to engage into cyberbullying.
Furthermore, inequality of income can also be an underlying element because, rich people tend
to feel more powerful which builds an attitude in them, that they have the authority to make
human suffer. Along with this, week legal system and improper working of authorities involved
are also key factors.
The above mentioned shortcomings can be corrected with right application of internet.
Also, government should act promptly on cyberbullying by banning the particular app, game or
platform which can manipulate thoughts of people living in a society. There should be a unity to
prevent cyberbullying. Along with this, every individual must be given adequate education
which will transform them into a better person. Furthermore, sufficient emotional support fro
parents, friends, relatives and teachers should always be their so that a kid does not feel isolated.
Furthermore, awareness programs about cyberbullying and other online issue should be
conducted frequently for raising knowledge of people using internet. This will help in solving the
problems correctly.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals:
Whittaker, E. and Kowalski, R.M., 2015. Cyberbullying via social media. Journal of School
Violence. 14(1). pp.11-29.
Brewer, G. and Kerslake, J., 2015. Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and
loneliness. Computers in human behavior. 48 pp255-260.
Gualdo, A.M.G.,and et. al., 2015. The emotional impact of cyberbullying: Differences in
perceptions and experiences as a function of role. Computers & Education. 82. pp.228-
235.
Navarro, R., and et. al., 2015. The impact of cyberbullying and social bullying on optimism,
global and school-related happiness and life satisfaction among 10-12-year-old
schoolchildren. Applied Research in Quality of Life. 10(1). pp.15-36.
Cross, D., and et. al., 2016. Longitudinal impact of the Cyber Friendly Schools program on
adolescents’ cyberbullying behavior. Aggressive behavior. 42(2). pp.166-180.
Fryling, M., and et. al., 2015. Cyberbullying or normal game play? Impact of age, gender, and
experience on cyberbullying in multi-player online gaming environments: Perceptions
from one gaming forum. Journal of Information Systems Applied Research. 8(1). pp.4-
15.
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