India has climbed the top rank in internet usage and it is tops in cyberstalking and cyberbullying. Nowadays, technology is advancing and with that crimes are growing. So in this post, we are going to learn about cyberstalking.
India ranks no.3 in cyberstalking and cyberbullying after China and Hong Kong. Cyberstalking involves using electronic means, including the Internet, to stalk or harass a person or group of people. Including threats, solicitation for sex, false accusations, defamation, slander, libel, identity theft, and vandalism. Cyberstalking is often in conjunction with offline stalking. As both are an expression of a desire to control, intimidate, or manipulate a victim.
What is Cyberbullying?
Actions using information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, intended to harm another or others.
Use of communication technologies with the intention of harming another person.
Use of Internet service and mobile technologies such as web pages and discussion groups as well as instant messaging or SMS text messaging with the intention of harming another person.
What is Cyberstalking?
Cyberstalking is a kind of digital stalking, so the Cyberstalker stalks the victim by digital means.
The close definition implies the monitoring of the victim’s online activity, sometimes the cyberstalking converts into stalking.
Cyberstalking becomes harmful if the Cyberstalker moves into action and acts in order to take psychological harm to the victim.
Facts of Cyberbullying
Statistics of cyberbullying help in discovering that bullying in school kids is at the majority. To understand what is cyberbullying and how to stop bullying first let’s get to know some facts about cyberbullying:
1 in 4 kids is the bullied more than once. And in total 43% of the kids have fallen prey to cyberbullying or anti-bullying
India ranks at number 3 in the list of online bullying cases as per the survey conducted by Microsoft in 2012 in 25 countries
70% of the cyberbullying or anti-bullying activities happen over Facebook
The usage of mobile phones by almost 80% of teens makes it a common and most popular medium for anti-bullying.
Its believed by the 81% of youth that getting away with online bullying is easy as compared to traditional bullying
90% of teens agree that have ignored the cyberbullying while some of the youth have taken a step to stop bullying
Girls are more preferred victims of cyberbullying as compared to boys
Meanwhile, victims of cyberbullying or anti-bullying are 2 to 9 times more prone to committing suicide.
Cyberbullying 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 the word anonymous the offense of anti-bullying and cyberbullying 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 privacy by transmitting, capturing, or publishing private pictures of others shall be punished with up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 lakhs.
