The internet is a powerful and useful tool, but it can also be used for violence, harassment and bullying. Cyberbullying is different from regular bullying because it takes place entirely online, through mobile phones, texting, chat rooms, or social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, which can make it very difficult for the victim to escape the harassment and hesitate to involve authority figures.
Cyberbullying is a serious problem affecting young people in Australia. In fact, the federal government reports that as many as one-third of students have been bullied online, with extreme cases leading to serious mental or physical injury, and even suicide.
What Is Cyberbullying?
According to the Human Rights Commissionwebsite, cyberbullying is defined as “using the internet, a mobile phone or a camera to hurt or embarrass someone.” Online bullying and online abuse can take many shapes and forms which include hurtful text messages, threatening victims with immediate danger through instant messaging, spreading lies, disseminating …