According to a study carried out by Aldeas SOS in 2023, cited by the El Peruano Official Daily, approximately 61% of schoolchildren in Peru have been victims of cyber-bullying.
There are different ways in which cyber-bullying can manifest itself. One of the main ones, according to the UNESCO study of 2021, is harassment based on physical appearance. Moreover, the report highlighted that another type of violence that mainly affects girls and young women is online sexual violence, which can manifest itself in different ways:
Rumors about sexual behavior
Rumors about a person’s sexual behavior are a common form of cyber-bullying. In this practice, harassers spread false or exaggerated information about the victim’s sex life.
This can include claims about intimate relationships, sexual preferences, or inappropriate sexual behaviors. These rumors can be very harmful, as they can affect the reputation and emotional well-being of the affected person. Besides, once they are propagated online, they can be difficult to control or debunk, thus compounding the impact of cyber-bullying.
Sexting
Sexting consists in sending messages, photos or videos of sexually explicit content through electronic devices. In the context of cyber-bullying, sexting can become a tool to harass and humiliate someone. For example, a harasser may pressure the victim to send intimate images and then use those images to blackmail or disseminate them without their consent.
Creating fake profiles to show private pictures of others
This form of cyber-bullying implies that the harasser creates fake profiles on social media or other online platforms, using the victim’s information and photos without their consent. Once the fake profile is active, the stalker can post private images of the victim (real or faked), share personal information, or even interact with other people while pretending to be the affected person.
How can cyber-bullying be confronted?
Basically, what is recommended is prevention work on the part of parents. This implies knowing on which digital platforms their children interact, what they do on them and who their contacts are.
However, the issue can also be addressed within the school environment. To do this, it is important to talk to students in order to guide them on the responsible use of the internet and social media. Some ways to approach the prevention of cyber-bullying in schools imply:
This implies teaching them how to protect their personal information, keep their social media profiles private, identify risky behaviors online, and understand the consequences of sharing sensitive information. Parents or caregivers should be allies in this strategy and work together with them.
Offering venues for dialog in order to address this issue
For example, workshops or discussion groups can provide a safe venue for students to share their experiences and learn healthy ways to deal with online bullying.
Addressing these issues in tutoring sessions for both preventing and approaching them
These sessions can include topics such as the importance of respect online, the emotional impact of cyber-bullying, strategies for responding safely and adequately to situations of online bullying, and how to seek help and support.
Creating an environment of trust
This is crucial, as it allows both male and female students to communicate and feel supported in case of harassment or if they are victims of any of the different forms of cyber-bullying.
Fostering empathy
Furthermore, education on the use of the internet should also raise awareness among children and adolescents to be empathetic with their schoolmates who are victims of cyber-bullying and, therefore, not to be participants in cyber-bullying others. To do this, it must be taught that it is not correct to disseminate (share with other users) photos, videos or messages that intimidate another person.
Teaching about local cyber-bullying protection laws
We must also teach students that local laws protect them. Hence, in Peru, it is also possible to report school cyber-bullying. This can be done with the High Technology Unit (Divindat), in person, by phone or by email. Another option is to report the case in Síseve.
