Technology, as we know, is a double-edged sword, where the users are continuously balancing between the risks and opportunities it offers. It is no longer just a cliché: we really are all connected, 24/7, no matter where in the world; we are mere one click away from our families, co-workers, classmates, idols, mentors, neighbors, and even strangers. On one side, the Internet has made the world a much smaller place full of opportunities to thrive for people with minimal resources along with bringing awareness to important sociopolitical movements and acting as a platform for fundraising for many noble causes; on the other side, it has exposed vulnerable people to a deep dark world of web and bullying while sitting safely in the vicinity of their homes.
How many times have we come across a piece of news which elaborates a person being harassed online to the point they feel that suicide is a more amicable option. Cyber bullying usually employees the use of Sms, Social media or other forms of electronic contact to indulge in an aggressive act of behavior against an individual who cannot easily defend himself or herself. Cyber bullying employees tactics such as making fake accounts of that victim or posting his/her risqué pictures online or sending a chain of threatening Sms which challenge the victim’s sanity.
Cyber bullying can be done in different forms over the various online platform, some of the cyber bullying examples are given below for a better understanding of what is cyber bullying or anti-bullying:
• Humiliating/embarrassing content posted online about the victim of online bullying,
• Hacking of account
• Posting vulgar messages
• Threatening the victim to commit an act of violence
• Stalking
• Child pornography or threats of child pornography
Online bullying or cyber bullying is distinct from the traditional form of bullying in the way that in cyber bullying the victim is not aware of the identity of the bully. Effects of bullying are wide and long-lasting as the effects of bullying are long-lasting as it affects the mental well being of the victim of cyber bullying.
Cyber bullying laws in India
To have a comprehension of digital law in India it is important to what in particular is the significance of harassing and what is digital tormenting in India.
Bullying implies dispensing physical or physiological torment and hurt in a deliberate manner to trouble the casualties which are for the most part understudies and representatives. Also, when the tormenting is done online it is known as hostile to harassing or digital harassing. Digital tormenting in the workplace by the partners additionally goes under the badgering at the working environment in India. With the fame of the web in the young, it is for the most part adolescents who are the culprits just as the casualties of hostile to harassing or digital tormenting and along these lines school harassing is normal.
There is no specific legislation that provides for the specific cyber bullying laws in India however provisions such as Section 67 of the Information Technology Act deals with cyber bullying in a way. Section 67 of the act prescribes punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
Other than Section 67 of the IT Act following are the provisions of the cyber bullying laws in India:
Section 507 IPC – The section states that if anyone receives criminal intimidation by way of an anonymous communication then the person giving threats shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. By virtue of word anonymous the offense of anti-bullying and cyber bullying is included in this section.
Section 66 E of IT Act – The section prescribes punishment for violation of privacy. The section states that any person who intentionally violates the privacy by transmitting, capturing or publishing private pictures of others shall be punished with up to three years imprisonment or fine up to three lakhs.
Conclusion
Cyber Bullying is one of the most common offences being committed today as the resources required for its commission is available to every person on this planet but the effects of this is more severe than we could comprehend. If proper care isn’t given to the victims and the cases are not prioritized , we fear that the outcome would be more severe than we think it to be.
