Cyberbullying In The Present-Day Indian Society: A Comprehensive Study And Critique

Shariq Mehmood, Advocate, Jammu High Court

Sonali Shukla, Asian Law College

ABSTRACT

The issue of cyberbullying is getting worse in India's digitally advanced society. Children and young people who use the internet more frequently run the danger of being the victims of cyberbullying. According to a poll of 174 middle school students in Delhi, 8% admitted to engaging in cyberbullying and 17% said they have been the victims of it. However, physical bullying, physical violence, and victimisation by either were more common than online bullying. Males were more likely than girls to bully and fight in person, as well as to be the targets of both online and offline aggressiveness. A study primarily focused on India was not found, despite exhaustive searches over the past ten years. However, higher education institutions have adopted Indian government programmes to combat cyberbullying is a growing problem in India's technologically savvy society. Cyberbullying is more likely to affect kids and teenagers who use the internet more often. A survey of 174 middle school pupils in Delhi found that 8% acknowledged to partaking in cyberbullying and 17% claimed to have experienced it firsthand. Online bullying was less common than physical bullying, physical assault, and victimisation by either. Males were more likely than females to be the targets of online and offline aggression, as well as to bully and fight in person. Despite extensive searches over the previous ten years, a study with a primary focus on India has not been located. Higher education institutions, though, have embraced Indian government initiatives to. Modern Indian society is increasingly concerned about cyberbullying, as a result of rising internet usage potentially harming young people through cyberbullying on various social networking sites. The social-ecological viewpoint is used to give a thorough analysis of cyberbullying in India in this comprehensive study. Every year, the statistics on cyberbullying increase, which has negative effects. The Indian society is not immune to this online menace; hence a thorough multi- sectoral plan is required to lessen the dangers that cyberbullying and online risks pose to young people. The abstract also includes a case study on cyberbullying in higher education in India, emphasising the potential harm that such behaviour could do to young people on various social networking sites. The study highlights the demand for an active strategy to combat cyberbullying in Indian society, including the use of social networking sites and vulnerability to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a major problem that needs to be addressed right away by lawmakers, schools, parents, and the general public. To address this growing worry and assure the safety and well-being of the youth in the contemporary Indian society, a thorough approach including all stakeholders is required. The spreading of false rumours, expulsion from online communities, and name-calling are the most typical types of cyberbullying in India. According to a poll done in India, 39% of participants said spreading false stories was a frequent kind of cyberbullying. Other prominent forms of cyberbullying included name-calling and exclusion from online groups. In India, burning, using abusive language, and publishing embarrassing images or videos are also frequent forms of cyberbullying. The report also emphasises the need for a thorough multi-sectoral plan to lessen the dangers that cyberbullying and internet risks pose to children. The study highlights the demand for an active strategy to combat cyberbullying in Indian society, including the use of social networking sites and vulnerability to cyberbullying.

Keywords: Cyber Laws, Cyber Bullying, Cyber Enactments, Cyber Cells