Cyber bullying: An ugly side of social media

In recent weeks, social media platforms have seen an ugly spate of cyber-bullying that warrants an open discussion on this issue. This week saw a business tycoon, implicated in numerous corruption cases, intimidating teenagers into issuing public apologies over comments made over a well-known corruption case which are not only in the public domain but are part of criminal proceedings in courts. 

The comments made by the teenagers would not have held water in legal proceedings had the issue ever been taken to court. Still, the mere threat of retaliation from the businessmen made these individuals issue apologies. In another instance, a powerful female media figure openly claimed she would inform the employers of social media users regarding their comments online after she was widely criticised for expressing archaic opinions on sexual violence. One of her followers extracted a public apology from a young female social media user after openly threatening to sue her.

Cyber-bullying is defined as any form of bullying that occurs using digital technologies including social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones. It is repeated behaviour, aimed at scaring, angering or shaming those who are targeted. Examples include sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages and being abusive, nasty or humiliating comments on posts, uploading intimate photos and videos with the intention to ridicule, intimidate and embarrass, spreading fake rumours and gossip, repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm, harassment, intimidating messages, or engaging in other online activities that make a person afraid for his or her safety. 

It is not only used by the rich and powerful to silence their critics but is a wide phenomenon that permeates throughout society. Cyber-bullying can occur in schools, offices, social groups and countless other places. It seems that while the development of the internet brought massive technological advancements, it has upset the delicate balance between freedom of speech and freedom from harm.

Cyber-bullying is aggressive behaviour, which involves a power imbalance between the bully and the victim. As witnessed in very disturbing recent examples, powerful individuals with wealth and political power have gone after mostly young individuals, getting through to parents and even employers in an effort to silence them. Such acts can have serious mental, social, and physical health consequences. Studies have shown that victims of bullying, whether physically or in the cyber sphere are at a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression. In severe cases, bullying is even associated with suicidal ideation in victims. Victims of cyber-bullying in particular have a higher likelihood of self-harm.

The answer to cyber-bullying does not lie merely in the law. In many countries, there are laws on bullying, intended to protect children and other vulnerable sections of society. In such countries, the extension of anti-bullying laws into the cyber space has been measured and well thought out, ensuring that such laws are not used to curtail genuine expressions of opinion, even criticism of public figures. 

In a country like Sri Lanka where even laws that were seemingly positive are used maliciously against victims and vulnerable people, one must be cautious in demanding legal remedies alone for the issue of cyber-bullying. As seen with the repeated and rampant abuse of the ICCPR Act, a law that was drafted to enhance the freedoms of citizens and is now being used to curtail individual right to free expression and being selectively used against minorities, the room for abuse is significant. While legal remedies must be broached cautiously, the first step in this process to end cyber-bullying should be the acceptance and recognition that a problem exists.

Cyber-bullying must be recognised and called out when it is witnessed. The next time public figures and businessmen with chequered histories attempt to silence teenagers for innocuous commentary on social media, the victim and the perpetrator must be clearly identified. Silence is not an option. A bully is just that. Whether he terrorises other children in a schoolyard or from behind a keyboard.