The advancement in technology has brought various high-tech crimes, which have become a challenge to the criminal justice system. Cyberbullying is one of the most profound demerits of the increase in the level of technology and has been problematic to the criminal justice system. Cyberbullying is defined as the form of harassment that takes place over technological devices like computers, tablets, and cell phones (Englander et al., 2017). The most common avenues of cyberbullying are through text messages, social media platforms, and gaming platforms since people can view or share content. The most common form of cyberbullying involves sharing, sending or posting negative, false or harmful content about other people (Englander et al., 2017). Most reports of cyberbullying in the digital era have included the sharing of private or personal information regarding others, and especially if it causes humiliation or embarrassment. From time to time, different forms of cyberharassment are treated as unlawful or criminal behavior.
Technology has exacerbated the menace of cyberbullying and especially for the forms that occur over social media. Mostly, the social media platforms are continuously used for communication which makes it difficult for the individuals facing cyberharassment to find relief (Betts & Spenser, 2016). In other words, the use of technology presents persistence as a characteristic of the social media sites which worsens the problem of cyberbullying with more people consuming more time in the platforms. The permanence and publicity of the electronically communicated information contribute to the increase of cyberbullying. Unless reported and removed, the posts made on the digital devices may lead to negative online reputation which can impact the lives of the perpetrators and the victims of cyberharassment (Betts & Spenser, 2016). Also, teachers and parents may not hear or see cyberbullying taking place unlike conventional school bullying due to the privacy that is sometimes attached to the digital communication platforms. Therefore, the advancement of technology unless controlled may lead to worse levels of cyberbullying as more young people engage in social media sites.
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However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the active fight against cyberbullying. Various solutions can be put in place to reduce the spread of cyberbullying (Topcu-Uzer & Tanrıkulu, 2018). Firstly, training and technical assistance can be administered to both adolescents and adults concerning the appropriate use of technology for communication. For instance, the youth can be trained on how to protect their computers and other digital devices and access to their mobile phone numbers. The education departments in the various states across the United States of America can be empowered to provide technical assistance to schools such as formulation of model policies for the implementation of the curriculum and development of professional fields (Topcu-Uzer & Tanrıkulu, 2018).
The other solution that can be used to address cyberharassment is the implementation of bullying prevention and social-emotional learning programs to cultivate positive school cultures. The programs can majorly target the students in transition such as those moving from elementary to the middle school regarding responsible internet use (Topcu-Uzer & Tanrıkulu, 2018). The other solution to curb cyberbullying is to maximize on the reporting of the same. Schools can develop standardized definitions of cyberbullying and implement a requirement for the schools to track cyberbullying of their students and come up with the best prevention efforts. A standard method meant to promote the reporting of the cyberharassment incident can be used to protect the victims and punish the perpetrators.
In conclusion, the advancement in technology has resulted in a lot of cyberbullying, which has also posed a challenge to the criminal justice system. The fact that many people have subscribed to the social media platforms makes it easy for the perpetrators to execute the criminal act. This vice can be curbed if people are educated on proper measures on how to secure their digital media. Cyberbullying can be eliminated when students, teachers, and parents work together.
References
Betts, L. R., & Spenser, K. A. (2016). “People think it’s a harmless joke”: young people’s understanding of the impact of technology, digital vulnerability and cyberbullying in the United Kingdom. Journal of Children and Media , 11 (1), 20-35.
Englander, E., Donnerstein, E., Kowalski, R., Lin, C. A., & Parti, K. (2017). Defining Cyberbullying. Pediatrics , 140 (Supplement 2), S148-S151.
Topcu-Uzer, C. R., & Tanrıkulu, İ. A. (2018). Technological solutions for cyberbullying. Reducing Cyberbullying in Schools , 33-47.
