Published on 21st January 2025
Authored By: Akanksha
Chanakya National Law University, Patna
Abstract
Cyberbullying is a critical issue growing across the world. In 21st century where we are becoming advanced and technology oriented. It is the main concern against
technology. Because technology is a boon and ban both for us. If we are using technology in good thing it is a boon .It helps us in many thing. It has given us the facilities in this digital era.
Meanwhile it is also a ban for us if we are using it for fraudulent activities, scams, cheating etc. In this digital era the cybercrime is increasing day by day. The children of secondary and senior secondary school are more victims of the cyber attacks and cyberbullying. We need a robust system and management to handle all these type of matters.
We need to aware the citizens against it . And should take care of it and also explore the remedies essential for it.
Introduction
Cyberbullying is a type of cyber crime which is generally used for harassing someone in digital mode. In this the use of digital platforms to intimidate, harass , or humiliate others. It has now become a widespread issue in today’s interconnected world. It is impacting us mentally, socially and emotionally. It results often anxiety and depression and even suicide among victims. It occurs on social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, and other online spaces.
It is the repetative activity to harass, target ,assault and abuse someone leading to harm the reputation of someone. It can also tarnish the image of the particular person in society. It includes harassment, doxing, impersonation, cyber stalking etc. “Since the 2000s, it has become increasingly common , especially among teenagers and adolescents due to young people’s increased use of social media.” [1]
Mostly the trend of making reels on Instagram, tik-tok ,snap chat etc. are increasing the danger against cyberbullying. The youth generation are trying to show off and seem to be modern by using these social media platforms. In this way, they are experiencing the cyber attacks against them. Our generation posts all their daily activities on social media platforms. Nowadays the trend of making vlogs and sharing own daily routine has become frequent.
We need to take care of this because the effect of cyber bullying initially not seem more dangerous. Gradually it becomes large. We need to pay attention on this side because it is taking the lives of people. Sometime the digital bullying is an alternate way to trouble someone and taking revenge. Because in cyber fraudulent activities the main concern is that the identity of wrong-doer is not known.
So, after complaining we are not able to find the accused person. The identity used by the person is fake. Sometime they use the internet or VPN of different countries. This is the main challenge in cyber cases. The most effective way to prevent it. We should aware from the advantages and disadvantages of cyber related matters.
The need for awareness
We need to aware the people from cyber attacks. Because it includes impact on mental health of the victims Sometime they experience low self-esteem, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. It also affect the education of the students who are the victims of cyberbullying. Due to this they may loss their concentration on studies.
Many people are not aware of how to identify cyberbullying or what is the process to report it. It is the responsibility of all not a single person to create safe online environments. Nowadays there are many initiatives taken by the government of India in light of this matter.
So, Awareness is very important if we educate people how to use internet in efficient manner. How we can take precautions from these fraudulent activities. What are the procedures to report these type of crimes. Where we have to report it. All these questions have become important in this time.
Initiatives taken by the government
Different countries have different rules and laws regarding cybercrime. In India The IT act 2000 deals with the cyber related issues in which it includes cyberbullying, cyberscams, digital arrest, cyber fraud ,mobile hacking etc. The government of India has established the national cybercrime department which comes under ministry of electronics and information technology (MEITY).
In police department there is a different unit which deals with this type of offences. It is known as cyber police station or cyber cell. The first cyber police station was established in 2001 by Karnataka police in Bangalore. Now there are many states which has cyber police station. Some states have only one unit for the whole states and some has decided to establish cyber crime police station per district.
Like in Bihar in June 2023 the government of state has decided to establish one cyber police station in each of its state. UP government has also decided to establish cyber police station in its 57 states.
“The government of India has made different type of schemes and policies against it, some of these are :
- National cyber security policy: It outlines objectives and strategies to cyberspace information and infrastructure.
- Indian cyber crime coordination centre (I4C):To provide comprehensive and coordinated framework for law enforcement.
- Computer Emergency response team – India (CERT-In):An organisation under MEITY an organisation for collecting, analysing and disseminating information on cyber incidents as well as issuing alert on cybersecurity.”[2]
Nation cybercrime report portal is also developed by the government of India to report cyber crimes and this related issues. The government has also given the national cybercrime helpline number which is 1930.
The MEITY has also provided ISEA(Information security education and awareness) WhatsApp number for incident reporting.
Legal framework for cyber crimes
“As per the data provided by NCRB, Cybercrimes in India increased by 63.48% from 2018 to 2019 from 27248 cases to 44548 cases, and further up surged by 12.32% in 2020 from 44548 cases to 50035 cases.”[3]
India has many laws, Which deal with the cybercrime. It includes the Information and Technology Act of 2000 and it’s amendments. But sometimes the wrong dower take defence of freedom of speech and expression. In 2015 “the supreme court of India has struck down section 66A of the IT act it is the violation of free speech and expression.”in the case of Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India.
Section 356 of the B.N.S (Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita) deals with the charges of defamation in cyberbullying if it is harming the reputation of an individual then the accused person can be booked under this section.
Section 67 of IT Act is for publishing or transmitting obscene material. The punishment for this is up to 3 years prison and a fine up to 5 lakh rupees. And if the accused does again the same offence then imprisonment will be up to 5 years and fine up to ten lakh rupees.
Legal remedies for cyberbullying
Governments worldwide are introducing legislation to combat cyber bulling, but challenges persist in enforcement. Some strategies includes:
1.Legislative measures:
many countries have amended existing laws or introduce new once to criminalize cyber bullying. for example the children’s online privacy protection Act (COPPA) in the U.S. ensures the safety of minors online.
2.Strict Penalties: imposing fines or imprisonment for cyber bullies can deters such behaviour.
3.Reporting mechanisms: encouraging anonymous reporting through user- friendly platforms. Social media company should provide row was tools for reporting abuse.
4.Education and training: who is can in corporate digital citizenship and anti cyber bullying programs in their Curriculum .
5.Cross border collaboration: since the internet transcends borders, international collaboration is essential to trace and punish offenders.
There should be a different department for dealing the matters related to cyber crime. In each part of the country.
Famous Case:
Kalandi Charan Lenka vs. State of Odisha [4]
The case centers around a victim who, while studying in college, began receiving unknown obscene messages that purportedly aimed to damage her reputation and character. These messages originated from an unknown mobile number, contributing to the distress experienced by both the victim and her family.
Her father also received some massages which damage her character. Some pamphlets were also posted in which remarked a derogatory statement about her character in her hostel where she was residing. Because of this she changed her hostel and university both but the perperator not stopped from following her.
Apart from this a fake account was also created on facebook with her name and a photo was fabricated of her and used as profile photo on fake Facebook account. It also shown that she had physical relationship with many men and all. It shows how people are misusing social media for tarnishing someone’s character and reputation.
Finally, the case also ties into broader discussions on online harassment and impersonation as forms of gendered violence. It exemplifies how technology can be misused to perpetrate harm against individuals, particularly women, and stresses the need for vigilant legal frameworks to address these continuously evolving forms of abuse.
Conclusion
Cyber police the growing concern in today’s digital interconnected world affecting individuals across various age groups and demographics. Racing awareness about the nature, causes, and consequences of cyber bullying is crucial for studying a safe and respectful online environment. cyber bulling is an escalating issue in today’s digital world, impacting individuals of all issues and backgrounds. Enhancing awareness about its causes effects and prevention is vital for creating a safe and respectful online space. Promoting digital education encouraging often communication and postering active engagement can empower victims and help them respond effectively.
Preventive action sea stitching digital literacy in forcing anti cyber bulling policies and promoting by standard intervention play a significant role in reducing its occurrence. Remedies like accessible mental health support, efficient reporting systems, and vector legal measures against offenders can further discourage such behaviour.
Effectively tackling cyber bulling required collaboration among individuals, communities, educators policy makers and technology providers to build a digital environment rooted in respect, empathy, and accountability. Ham log ka ulta bye taking these proactive steps, why we can minimise it’s impact and support victims in rebuilding their confidence and mental well-being.
References:
1.Cyberbullying (2017) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying (Accessed: 12 December 2024).
2.Cyberbullying (2017) DRISHTI IAS. Available at: https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/strengthening-india-s-cyber-defence (Accessed: 12 December 2024).
3.M, V. Et al. (2024) Silent screams: A narrative review of cyberbullying among Indian adolescents, Cureus. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11376467/ (Accessed: 12 December 2024).
4.(No date) Kalandi Charan Lenka vs state of Odisha on 16 January … Available at: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/73866393 (Accessed: 12 December 2024). .