Challenges of Cyber bullying in Social Media

Social media has become part of young teen’s everyday lives. There has been a huge increase in social media usage over the past 5 years and more cases of cyber bullying and fraud in social media. Cyber bullying involves two or more parties constantly harassing a person or persons. Cyber fraud is also becoming another big problem with people using fake identities, stealing credit card numbers and money over the web. This is becoming a huge concern with the increase in people using social media outlets.

Dealing with cyber bullying is often going to vary depending on the situation. But not only does cyber bullying exist in classrooms and in young teenagers but also adults in a professional work environment. There are now classes and ways for HR professionals to deal with cyber bullying in the workplace. There are 5 steps to containing cyber bullying:

• Have clear goals that unite
• Update policies
• Teach cyber manners
• Mobilize bystanders
• Have an escalation process

The growing trend of cyber bullying on social networks with more than two-thirds of people aged 13-22 have been bullied online according to a study  by charity ditch the label. Liam Hackett has created a charity to help raise awareness about cyber bullying. He believes by raising awareness we can all help to put an end to people hiding behind computer screens and bullying. Facebook and twitter were the most popular sources of cyber bullying. 54% of those using Facebook have reported cyber bullying on the network according to Hackett’s survey.

Schools have also begun to implement a way to curb cyber bullying by educating the students and staff about cyber bullying and how it can affect the person, their friends and family. Almost every state now has requirements for schools to establish bullying prevention and intervention programs. Schools have now implemented steps to prevent cyber bullying and have developed clear rules how to handle the situation. Also, propriety software with cloud based subscription is being introduced to help detect cyber bullying predator activity and any personal information request of children. Any message related to sex, drugs, alcohol and suicide will send text alerts to parents within seconds.

By: Braydon C.