There are various types of bullying but cyberbullying in Australia is more rampant nowadays due to the huge impact of technology especially the internet today. But what is cyberbullying? How can cyberbullying in Australia affect the victim?

Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. When an adult is involved, it may meet the definition of cyber-harassment or cyber stalk, a crime that can have legal consequences and involve jail time. This form of bullying can easily go undetected because of lack of parental/authoritative supervision. Because bullies can pose as someone else, it is the most anonymous form of bullying. Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, abuse using email, instant messaging, text messaging, websites, social networking sites, etc. With the creation of social networks like Facebook, Myspace, Instagram and Twitter, cyberbullying has increased.

Here are some examples of cyberbullying that happens in the famous social media website, Facebook.

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According to statistics, there are about 29% of year 9 students which are ages from 14-15 years old who are being cyberbullied. Among this 29 %, 20% of the year 9 students have reported receiving rude text messages or prank calls on their mobile phones. And mostly females from Year 6 to 12 ages 11 to 18 years old, about 64% were reported being cyber bullied as cyberbullying tends to increase with age. It would also be easier to do cyber-bullying when a person is using mobile phones frequently.

Cyberbullying is one the bad impacts of technology today and that we need a united action across both the community and society to prevent and stop this. Schools, teachers, and parents play the key role in preventing cyberbullying as they could educate, give guidance and advice to children. Knowing these facts about cyberbullying, we have to prevent cyberbullying in Australia now! Don’t let your children be a bully or the victim of cyberbullying as it could ruin one’s future. Help the kids live the life they should be living. If you have noticed your child, your friend, your student for some signs of cyberbullying in Australia, submit complaints here in BullyOut, we held our hand outstretched to help you.

Sources:

Friendly Schools

NO Bullying