Hey guys, In this Blog post let us explore one of the interesting topic which is cyberbullying, In the cyberbullying is one of the massive issue which is faced by almost every country due to fast growing technology in the world of digital age. Cyberbullying is the problem which is faced by all the ages of peoples right from teenagers to young adults, due to unlimited access of technology such as social media, emails, instant messaging services and online platforms, cyberbullying have evolved to be such a big problem which also to raise in question weather cyberbullying against the law ? In this Blog posts let get to know what are the laws related to cyber bullying, penalties as well as how victims can seek justice.
What is Cyberbullying ?
Cyberbullying means it is a way of harming someone by using digital technologies such as social media, text messages, emails, online forums and many more possible, this is done to primirily harrase, intimidate or humiliate indiduals or group of peoples. Let us get to know some of the common forms of cyberbullying :-
- Posting harmful or offensive content in the online
- Spreading false and fake rumours online
- Damaging the reputation of someone
- Sending threatening or abusive messages to individuals or groups
- Sharing private or embarrassing informations
- Sharing unwanted content which is not true, which is not legally correct
Is Cyberbullying Illegal ?
Yes, Cyberbullying is considered to Illegal many countries have there own laws related to cyberbullying which is majorily focused on harassament, defamation, stalking or threats. There are some laws which veries its jurisdiction in terms of cyberbullying, many government recognized the need for addressing the cyberbullying legally, throught which many countries have laws which is majorily focused on activities which are taking place online. Lets explore what the law says about cyberbullying in different countries.
1. United States
When it comes to U.S., there is no law which specifically talks about cyberbullying. But there are laws which criminilizes online harassament, cyberstalking and threats, any such activities which is taking place in the online will be considered to be wrong or crime. The following are some of the federal laws which can be applied in certain cyberbullying cases:
- The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)
- The Communications Decency Act (CDA)
- The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Within U.S., many states have enacted and implemented laws which are against cyberbullyig, with penalties and punishments ranging rom fines to imprisonment, depending upon the seriousness of the offence and severity of the offence
2. United Kingdom
When it comes to United Kingdom, Cyberbullying is covered under various several laws, UK is also very strict about cyberbullying if any person claims on this activity the victim will be punished based on the seriousness of the offence which he had committed.
- The Malicious Communications Act 1988 – This act is focused on Criminilizing on the act of sending offensive or threatening messages online.
- The Communications Act 2003 – This act prohibits the use of online platforms to cause distress or anxiety by the way of online communication
- The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – This act covers on repeated online harassament and cyberstalking which is considered to be an offence.
Offenders from U.K can face legal action if he/she committed an offence of cyberbullying, which includes fine or imprisonment, if found guilty.
3. Canada
Canada has strict laws when it comes to Cyberbullying. There is this law that is Criminal Code of Canada which includes provisions that criminalize:
- Criminal defamation done by a person
- Online harassment
- uttering threats
- Non-consensual distribution of intimate images in the online
If any of the person does any of the activity which has been mentioned above he/she might face serious consequences which can lead to imposing severe penalties, Including fines, Hefty fine or even imprisonement ( Jail term )
4. India
When we talk about India which has the most number of Internet users due to its population, Cyberbullying is an offence also india one of those countries where the cyberbullying is high in number because of its population, Laws related to Information Technology Act, 2000 and The Indian Penal Code (IPC), has various key legal provisions which will be addressing Cyberbullying
- Section 66C and 66D Of Information Technology Act, 2000 – This secion covers informations about Identity theft and online fraud
- Section 509 of IPC – This section addresses on online harassment, especially targeting women’s
Even Countries like India have a very strick Punishments for Cyberbullying which can range from Fine to Impresonment.
What are the Ways in which Victims of Cyberbullying can Take Action ?
If you or someone whom you might be knowing who is a victim for cyberbullying, here are the steps which can be followed :
1. Document the Abuse
The person one who is a victim for the cyberbullying can do things such as saving of screenshots, messages, emails or any other evidence of cyberbullying to present in the legal proceedings as a proof.
2. Report to Social Media Platforms
When a user encounters any cyberbullying in any of the social media platforms, most of the social media platforms have policies which are agaist cyberbully and provide option to report abusive content, which the victim can make use of by doing this appropriate social media platforms can ban those accounts.
3. File a Police Complaint
If a victim feels that becuase of this cyberbullying they have faced lots of threats, defamations or harassament, If is always better to file a complaint in the Local police who can help in initiating legal action agaist the accused.
4. Seek Legal Advice from Cyber Law Experts
If you are unsure on what have to be done in case of cyberbullying it is always better to consult a lawyer, who can help you on how to overcome this situations, There are many Laywers who are specilized on the field of Cyber law who can help you addressing this issuse also let you know what are your rights and legal options.
Preventing Cyberbullying
Preventing cyberbullying is one of the primary concern of every online users who consumes internet a lot, There must be collective efforts made by Individuals, Parents, Educators and lawmakers, who’s primary goal is to safeguard the internet from all forms of offensive and wrong activities which is taking place in the internet such as Cyberbullying, etc. Some of the key points which you have to note down
1.Monitor Online activities – Parent’s one of the responsibility to watch and monitor the activities of there child from misusing the internet, because childrens are the vulnerable of group who might fall into cyberbullying
2.Encourage Responsible Online Behaviour – Inviduals, groups and tech companies must encourage peoples to use the internet in right way which does not affect the lifes of peoples from getting into wrong practices and usage of internet
3. Raise Awareness – People must be educated about cyberbullying so that they might be aware and also be really cautious when it comes to using the internet
4. Implement Stronger Laws – This is one of the important thing which every country must do, because if there are strict laws which might impose strict punishments or fines people will be really careful in using the internet which will lead to reduce in number of offence or wrongs.
Conclusion
Cyberbullying is one of the serious issue which have to be addressed by the countries, this can also be a worldwide issue. While Cyberbullying alone is not the offence which is taking place in the internet there are some more offences which can take place but this is one of the very serious offence also this is the offence which is accessiable, very easy to do by all the internet users. If someone whom you know might experienceing cyberbullying can seek legal help and take corrective measures to stop online harassment, offences,etc.
