“With COVID-19 closing schools across all states, Education Departments have made efforts to ensure continuity of learning through various digital platforms. Millions of learners are turning to online education and with this comes a huge increase in use of electronic devices and Information and communication Technologies (ICTs).”
With the massive switch to online modes of learning, students are at a greater risk of cyber bullying. Online bullying not just affects students but also prevents teachers from imparting quality education through online media.
Some forms of cyber bullying include:
- Posting hurtful comments on updates, pictures, and videos shared by an individual
- Uploading embarrassing photographs without an individual’s consent
- Excluding individuals of different cultural, socio-economic backgrounds from online groups and forums
- Stealing someone’s account password
- Sending unwanted/inappropriate messages from that account to harass other individuals.
The ‘Dos’ include:
- Creating a strong password
- Read privacy settings of social networking sites
- Communicate only with known people
- Practice caution while posting photos and videos on social media sites
- Ensure that only authorised personnel access computer systems and labs.
The ‘Don’ts’ include:
- Keeping your password secret
- Not revealing personal information like age address etc. as it can lead to identity theft
- Not posting anything hurtful on social media sites
- Not forwarding anything you read on social media without verifying it.
Cyber bullying is a punishable offence under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Indian Penal Code and should be reported. Students can download the complete guideline here.