MENTAL HEALTHY AND CYBERBULLYING
The constant streams of notification , the playful bunter of online conversations , the permanence of online content and the anonymity of the internet have all become the norm in today ‘s digital age . The impact of technology on our mental health can not be ignored , while social media has made it easier to connect and interact with others it has also created a breeding for bullying and harassment . We seldomly find peaceful and protective online social interactions with trending chants promoting how people prefer problems instead of peace with the crowds cheering ‘I am a content creator’ . This is what we have reduced society to be , this is what we have accepted as a means to convey our emotions without any regard as to the politeness or morality of the message . The goal is to search for likes and reposts but to what cost really? The sacrifice of our morality , our respect , our honour ,people bluntly using the main stream media as fighting grounds where they can parade bad comments and insults under the guise of freedom of speech .
Cyberbullying , is the use of technology to harass , intimidate or harm others online . It can take many forms including nasty messages , fake profiles and obscene photos or video shared without consent . But cyberbullying is more than a disease , it has serious consequences on our mental health .Mental Health refers to peoples emotional , psychological and social wellbeing .Cyberbullying affects the way we think , feel and act .Good mental health allows us to face life changes , build strong relationships and fulfilling lives .However , cyberbullying can disrupt this balance leading to anxiety , depression and even suicidal thoughts . This article will explore the interconnectedness of cyberbullying and mental health . It will also show the effects of cyberbullying and the warnings signs to look for .By understanding the impacts of cyberbullying and mental health , we can work together to create a safer and more compassionate online community .
for example a 16 year old girl in secondary level ,loves social media but lately she’s been experiencing a constant harassment from a classmate. The classmate sent her mean messages ,call her names and even created a fake social media platfom to mock her .The girl started feeling anxious and depressed , avoiding school and social events .She lost interest in her favourite activities and struggle to sleep at night , she began to have low grades and she felt isolated from her friends and family .It is essential to recognise the signs if cyberbullying and take actions if you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying and report incidents to school administrators or authorities , block and report harassers on social media , seek support from trusted adults , friends or mental health professional’s ,practise self care and mental wellbeing .
FORMS OF Cyberbullying
1 .Direct attacks : It is harassment of an individual such as threatening or intimidating messages, emails or comments for instance people can post mocking messages and picture’s of someone in a WhatsApp group and this can affect the feelings or the way of thinking of the person being provoked.
- indirect attacks : it is intentionally excluding the person from online groups or chats ,spreading false and hurtful information about someone online .Consequences of indirect attacks are emotional distress and fear for safety , restrictions on freedom of expression .
3.Identity theft and manipulation : It is the creation of fake profiles or stealing someone’s identity for example people can create fake profiles to create online relationships like online dating. This may cause emotional distress , damage of reputation and highlights the risk of online identity theft and catfishing .
4 . Cyber threats : It includes sextortion , sextortion occurs when someone threatens to share intimate photos , videos or massages unless you comply with their demands , for example receiving a message claiming to have compromising photos of you demanding money or sex for preventing their release. There is also doxing , it involves sharing personal information like address , phone number or passwords without consent sometimes to harass or put shame on someone for instance someone might post your home address online after disagreement, putting your family at risk . Hence , sextortion and doxing are serous crimes that may cause emotional distress , financial loss or even physical harm .
The interconnectedness of mental health and cyberbullying
Cyberbullying and mental health are deeply connected , with each significantly impacting the other. It is important to understand this relationship for developing effective strategies to promote mental wellbeing and prevent online harassment . The impact of cyberbullying on mental health includes ,Anxiety and depression , Low self esteem , Post traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and Suicidal thoughts .
The role of mental health in cyberbullying
- Vulnerability ; individuals with pre existing mental health conditions may be more susceptible to cyberbullying .
- Emotional regulations ; Difficulty in managing emotion can lead to
impulsive online behaviour .
3 Social isolation ; Mental health struggles can increase online vulnerability
In conclusion , as we navigate the online world , it is crucial to recognize the intertwined relationship between mental health and cyberbullying . Cyberbullying can exacerbate mental health issues , while poor mental health can increase vulnerability to online harassment .However ,there’s hope , by fostering empathy , understanding and open conversations we can protect mental health and prevent cyberbullying .