Page 23 - ADU Voice Volume 3 Issue 2
P. 23
FALL 2023 · voice 23
WRITTEN BY AHMAD YAHIA (1084533), AMMAR KHALED (1084986),
MUSAB ABUOBAIDA (1079515), & AHMAD FIRAS (1079832)
n the digital age, cyberbullying is a concerned about cyberbullying, and over
crucial issue for discussion, given its pro- 32 per cent of children have already fallen
I found psychological and social impact on victim to cyberbullying within their lifetime.
individuals and communities. People of all Globally, online bullying has an impact on
ages are affected by cyberbullying, includ- socioeconomic and cultural factors, reinforc-
ing children, teenagers, and adults who ing stereotypes, racism, and intercultural
experience extreme distress and isolation tensions. This may alter how young victims
when victimized online. This digital menace view other people, imprinting negative emo-
not only negatively affects day-to-day life, tions that will last into adulthood.
but also results in long-term consequences,
such as diminished self-esteem and life Governments have a critical role in fostering
satisfaction. a safe online environment that efficiently
addresses cyberbullying. Locally, the UAE has
Disturbingly enough, the consequences of done an excellent job, creating the Federal
cyberbullying are more severe than tradi- Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating
tional bullying. According to the US-based Rumors and Cybercrimes, which has created
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strict punishments for harmful gossip, def-
(2018), cyberbullying was the second leading amation and harassment perpetuated via
precipitating cause of death among individ- online media platforms. Globally, further
uals aged between 10 and 24. steps should be taken in other countries to
adopt legislation that identifies cyberbully-
Understanding the root causes of cyberbul- ing offenses and provides strict punishments
lying reveals the complex dynamics at play. for offenders and perpetrators. Collaborating
The ability to maintain anonymity online with IT and social media companies is also
is one of the main driving factors behind essential to safeguard users and handle
cyberbullying. This empowers offenders to cyberbullying incidents.
hide behind screens, thereby fostering their
criminal behavior. Additionally, the desire Simultaneously, adults should remain vig-
for power and control plays a significant ilant for signs of cyberbullying and take
role in motivating individuals engaged in appropriate actions to intervene and address
cyberbullying. issues. Creating a safe and respectful online
environment involves spreading awareness
The effects of cyberbullying extend beyond and supporting the victims. Together, we can
individual suffering, impacting society on a fight against cyberbullying, contributing
national and even global scale. Local research towards a digital world that is built upon
has found that 56 per cent of parents are empathy and human dignity.
