Ο online bullying is a serious, often relentless form of digital harassment that can manifest itself in many ways, affecting the emotional well-being and safety of individuals. 
Today, on the International Day Against School Violence and Bullying, including Cyberbullying, the Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. provider of an AI-powered, cloud-delivered cybersecurity platform, is leading efforts to leverage cybersecurity to significantly reduce the prevalence and impact of cyberbullying.
Today, cybersecurity strategies not only protect systems from breaches, but are critical to protecting individuals, especially children, from cyberbullying.
Table of Contents
Cyberbullying in different and varied forms
Cyberbullying refers to any form of harassment, abuse or defamation conducted through digital platforms. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying takes place in the virtual realm, meaning it can follow victims anywhere, anytime, with devastating results, taking the form of:
- Impersonation: Cyberbullies often create fake accounts to impersonate their victims, leading to misunderstandings, reputational damage or exploitation. For example, a bully may impersonate a student to send harassing messages to peers, creating rifts and destroying relationships.
- Doxxing: This includes publicly sharing someone's personal information (address, phone number, etc.), putting them at risk of physical harm or further online harassment. Such exposure can lead to constant fear and anxiety.
- Harassment & Tracking: Cyberbullies may repeatedly send threatening or harassing messages or stalk victims across multiple platforms. This form of bullying is particularly prevalent on social media, where anonymity can embolden perpetrators.
- Revenge Porn & Sextortion: Cyberbullies may share indecent images without consent or threaten to do so if their demands are not met, a tactic called "sextortion," which has seen a dramatic increase worldwide. The FBI has reported an increase in cases, urging students and parents to remain vigilant.
How cybersecurity mitigates cyberbullying
Cybersecurity is a valuable ally in the fight against cyberbullying, offering both protective and preventative solutions to help people avoid becoming victims of online bullying or exploitation.
- Advanced authentication: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and authentication checks help prevent unauthorized access to personal accounts, reducing opportunities for impersonation, account takeovers and subsequent cyberbullying.
- Content moderation and filtering: AI-based tools filter and block abusive language or suspicious links on social media and educational platforms, helping to reduce instances of harassment and potentially harmful interactions.
- End-to-End Encryption: Encryption protects private messages and sensitive content by ensuring that only intended recipients can see information, making it harder for cyberbullies to intercept and misuse data.
- Digital footprint tracking: Cybersecurity tools can monitor online activities and create detailed digital footprints, helping to identify and identify bullies who try to hide behind anonymous profiles.
- Reporting Mechanisms and Evidence Collection: Many platforms now incorporate reporting options that allow users to easily document and flag abusive content. Storing this digital evidence can help in potential investigations.
Are anti-cyberbullying regulations working?
As cyberbullying increases worldwide, various nations have enacted regulations to combat it, although the levels of effectiveness and enforcement vary widely.
For example, in Singapore, ο anti-harassment law (POHA), first enacted in 2014 and amended in 2019, offers a remedy against cyberbullying by allowing victims to seek protective orders. Violations are criminal offenses that carry significant fines and jail time. Japan has gone a step further, following an alarming increase in the publicity of cyberbullying cases, fueled by the Hana Kimura's suicide, professional wrestler and television star reality, who had been the victim of online abuse from social media users in the months leading up to her death. This fact led to the introduction of stricter regulations in its context cyberbullying prevention law, focusing on removing offensive content and punishing perpetrators. In 2022, Japan introduced tougher penalties for online abuse, making online "insults" punishable by a year in prison and a maximum fine of $2.500.
In Australia and New Zealand, in a single demonstration of the seriousness of cyberbullying, both governments have introduced strong cyberbullying laws with Australia's Cybercrime Act The estate provides stunning sea views and offers a unique blend of luxury living and development potential New Zealand's harmful Digital Communications Act impose severe penalties, including prison terms, for online harassment.
In the United States, cyberbullying is prevalent according to Pew Research Center, where nearly half of US teens have been bullied or harassed online, with physical appearance seen as a relatively common reason for insults. However, there is still a federal law against cyberbullying, although 44 US states have implemented criminal penalties related to cyberbullying. Although these laws vary, they often include severe penalties for sharing harmful content and online harassment.
In Europe, many EU countries enforce strict privacy laws based on it General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which indirectly covers aspects of cyberbullying by protecting personal data and punishing data misuse.
Working together to stop cyberbullying
A comprehensive approach combining cybersecurity, education and regulatory action offers the most effective protection against cyberbullying. Check Point Software suggests the following methods that can prevent or mitigate cyberbullying and its effects:
- Improved privacy settings: Encouraging the use of privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can see and interact with their content.
- Multi-factor authentication: Apply MFA to all accounts to prevent unauthorized access, making it difficult for cyberbullies to break into personal profiles.
- Content moderation based on artificial intelligence: Using artificial intelligence tools to detect and filter abusive language and suspicious behavior, especially on youth-oriented platforms.
- Digital literacy training: Educating young users about recognizing cyberbullying, reporting it to authorities and practicing safe online behavior to reduce risk.
- Legal appeal and reference: Strengthen cyberbullying laws and ensure that reporting mechanisms are easily accessible to victims, with clear pathways to hold perpetrators to account.
- Support networks and counseling: Establish online and offline support for victims, as cyberbullying can lead to long-term emotional effects. Platforms and institutions should facilitate access to peer counseling and support.
- International cooperation: Given the cross-border nature of cyberbullying, fostering international partnerships can help enforce laws in all jurisdictions and bring perpetrators to justice.
- Protection: Parents should also pay attention to how their children interact in the virtual world. Check Point offers the SandBlast for Education, an extension designed for schools that allows teachers to monitor students' online behavior and block offensive comments.
"Cybersecurity plays a fundamental role in protecting our digital lives beyond the traditional corporate and government spheres," said Konstantina Koukou, Account Manager The estate provides stunning sea views and offers a unique blend of luxury living and development potential Cyber Security Evangelist - Office Manager of the CTO in Read our BuurtBankjes Factsheet XNUMX Point Greece.
"By empowering individuals, especially students, with safe tools and digital literacy, we can reduce the effects of cyberbullying. We believe in fostering an environment where education, regulation and cybersecurity converge to create a safe and respectful digital space for all. By working together to dismantle cyberbullying, we can create a digital world where safety and kindness coexist."
