What is Cyber harassment?

Cyber harassment is an immoral behavior by

someone or a group, who uses technology such
as computers, internet or mobile devices to send
disturbing messages to bother, humiliate,
threaten, or stalk someone else.
The schemes used consist of emails, instant
chat messaging, blog message, text messages
sent via cell phones, digital photos, videos and
all other means of electronic communication.
The types of content a cyber harasser may send
include the following:
offensive and confrontational message
foul words, cruel, hateful, and insulting
remarks
threats, intimidations and false promises
scandals or rumor mongering
The methods a cyber harasser could use to
bother the victim may include the following:
publication of secrets or embarrassing
situations, including pictures or videos, for
everyone to see and hear
publication of gossip or rumors for the explicit
purpose of damaging the person's character
sharing of messages pretending to be the
victim in an attempt to damage that person's
morality, friendships, family or work reputation
to result in the separation of the victim from
friends, co-workers and family
Who are Cyber Harassers ?
n some cases, a cyber harasser can also harass
in face-to-face encounters. Harassing over the
computer may be a natural extension of their
disturbing behavior.
Some people who become cyber harassers may
be the victims of harassment and are taking out
their anger and frustration in the internet. They
may be targeting the people who harassed them
or they may have picked a different target.
Still others regard cyber harassing as a game or
joke -- nothing more than a fun thing to do.
Who are the Victims of Cyber
harassment?
Majority of victims are children and the youth but
there are also adults who are cyber harassing
grown-up victims usually women in the
workplace.
Generally, cyber harassers know their victim, but
rarely do they pick victims they don't know. n
these situations, the cyber harasser is picking on
someone based on a type of bias or prejudice.
They may pick on people based on religion,
race, gender, sexual orientation, or people who
are considered different from their point of view.
Other times, they will pick on someone based on
a message that he or she has posted or sent
that the harasser doesn't like.
Why Can Cyber harassment be as
HarmfuI as PhysicaI Harassment?
A lot of people mistakenly think that "words,
pictures or videos can never hurt. n the
internet, on the other hand, cyber harassers can
conduct harassment at any given time and
place, thanks to modern technology. As long as
the victims are identified and online, they are
open to cyber harassment.
People who commit cyber harassment pick on
an individual just for the feeling of power that it
gives them, financial gain or favor. Because the
nternet seems to give anonymity, cyber
harassment is often seen to have less liability to
the cyber harassers, which can encourage them
to continue and be aggressive.
An additional characteristic of internet that can
lead cyber harassment to be as harmful as a
physical harassment is that cyber harassers
aren't physically there when they are harassing
their victims which can lead to a lessened
consideration. Since the harassers cannot see
how much they are hurting the victims, they may
think they have not actually hurt them much or at
all and may, therefore, continue the harassing
behavior.
Some individuals believe that there are no rules
in cyberspace. They feel free to do whatever
they wish. Moreover, they believe they have the
RGHT to do whatever they want in cyberspace
without accountability or consequences.
Some of the victims of cyber harassment, who
are unable to handle it, either retaliate violently
or in extreme situations commit suicide due to
severe humiliation.
Warning Signs Your ChiId may be a
Victim of a Cyber harassment
f your child exhibits the following, it may be a
warning sign:
displaying signs of depression, sadness,
nervousness or fear particularly if these
signs intensify after your child uses the cell
phone or after being online
avoiding friends, social activities, or school
experiencing difficulty with school or a drop in
grades for no apparent reason
expressing slight comments that indicate your
child is disturbed or upset
What to do if a Cyber harasser
Targets Your ChiId
Revenge may only escalate the problem. f you
feel the need to respond to a cyber harasser,
help your child develop appropriate preventive
actions by asking if possible the parent or
guardian of the child who does cyber
harassment to stop the misbehavior.
By filtering email, instant messages and text
messages and blocking mobile numbers, you
can cut off many of the ways they can contact
your child. By having your child avoid the sites
and groups where the attacks occur, he or she
can ignore the cyber harasser.
n case harassment continues, then you can
change your child's email address, nternet
account, mobile number and username(s).
f none of these steps are successful, you may
need to take additional legal action, as follows:
1) Compile a copy of all harassing
messages and postings. Save the
addresses of web sites where other
hostile information, embarrassing
pictures or negative messages are
posted. The more documentation you
have the better.
2) Contact your child's school. Even if the
cyber harassment is not occurring in
school, officials might be able to assist.
3) Contact the child's parents or guardian
by sending a formal letter, face to face
conversation detailing the harassment
messages sent and asking them to make
it stop. The parents and their child could
be liable for civil or criminal offenses due
to emotional damages.
4) Finally, if the situation is not resolved, or
if physical threats are made, contact the
nearest PNP police station in your area.
AdditionaI Information
More information on cyber security
awareness and crime prevention can be
found and downloaded at PNP
http://www.pnp.gov.ph and ITMS
http://www.itms.pnp.gov.ph websites.
Text PNP 2920
Produced by:
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
Information TechnoIogy Management Service
Web Services and Cyber Security Division
A Guide on Cyber
Harassment
A cyber security awareness program of the
Philippine National Police
nformation Technology Management Service
URL : http://www.pnp.gov.ph /
http://www.itms.pnp.gov.ph
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph /
itms@pnp.gov.ph