Online harassment and cyber-bullying is a growing global problem and in Bangladesh, reportedly, more than 32 per cent children who have access to internet face online harassment. Over the last six years, Bangladesh has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of technology available to and used by children and adolescents. A widespread intervention of technology over the years not only has changed the way our children used to behave, think and interact but also reshaped the entire system in which they live.
Children today are part of a digital generation that has grown up in a world surrounded by technology and the internet. Today’s children are able to ascertain between competing facts more accurately and make decisions more quickly. But using internet is not always safe for children and there has to be a guideline for children to make them able to utilize internet potentially for the betterment of their intellectual development.
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Ensuring safer internet should be the first and
foremost priority for guardians, teachers and
everyone involved in the ecosystem
The internet is the great equalizer giving equal access to information and educational content to young learners. Hence, ensuring safer internet should be the first and foremost priority for guardians, teachers and everyone involved in the ecosystem.
Cyber-bullying and online-harassment can cause profound harm as it can reach a wider audience and can remain accessible online indefinitely. However, we can reduce the chances of online violence and cyber-bullying by ensuring strict implementation of the cyber security law. Capacity building of children, teachers and parents for identifying, preventing and responding cyber-bullying and online harassment is a must. Also a guideline should be incorporated to teach not only students but also the teachers on how to be responsible and safe towards their activities over the internet.
