Nowadays, as smartphones have become very common, and internet tariffs have decreased, the presence of people on the world wide web has increased largely. As the world is full of good people, it also has bad ones who create a nuisance by using some or other ways or tactics. Some people make the correct use of the easiness and facility provided by the Internet while some misuse it by doing illegal and unfair things. They harass other people and make it difficult for newly joined, elderly and tech-disabled people to survive on the web. Not only do the newly joined ones or elderly ones feel it to be difficult, but sometimes even for the existing users, it becomes difficult to face these bullies. When a person harasses you by any means online it is known as ‘cyberbullying’. Cyberbullying is done with the use of digital technologies.

The problem is more compounded by the fact that the bully can hide behind a pseudonymous user name, disguising his or her true identity from others, which makes it difficult to catch them. Some examples include: sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages, photos, or videos to someone, spreading lies about you or posting embarrassing photos or videos etc. It can take place on social media platforms such as Instagram, and Facebook etc, messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, and Telegram etc, gaming platforms such as PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile, Garena: Free Fire etc. With the rapid increase in cyberbullying cases, cyber cells for the protection of the users have been set up, but as nothing is 100% effective as well assuring, so is the case with cyber cells. Even after creating awareness and informing people about preventive measures by running several campaigns, some people still get trapped by these scamsters and fraudsters and become a victim of cyberbullying.
Here, is a list of a few preventive measures that one can adopt to prevent cyber-bullying:

1. Manage location sharing

Some services by google and other apps as well as some social media platforms such as Snapchat give a feature where you can track the location of other people. Other people can see your exact location with the help of these apps. Managing the settings for such apps is very important. Restrict your location sharing by selecting appropriate settings. Don’t post your vacation photos, before you are home. This might attract thieves, who might consider this as an opportunity, looking at the fact that no one is available at your house.

2. Use strong passwords and protect your devices

Never share your passwords with anyone. Make sure you use a strong and unbreakable password which isn’t very obvious and easy to crack. Use a combination of capital and small alphabets, mixed with numerics and special symbols. Your password should be at least 8 characters long. Always use a screen lock for your smartphones. Try and use different passwords for different platforms. Using the same password for many accounts might lead to serious consequences as if by any chance your current password gets exposed, the bully might get access to all your accounts.

3. Never install apps from unknown sources

Apps are the easiest way to steal your personal information and data. They take permission to access your media files such as photos, videos and documents. Apart from that, they also ask for permission to access your precise location, view your contact list, and read your messages. As you grant all of these, the apps have control over your entire phone. These details can be used to stalk you, and bully you. Thus, always download apps from trusted sources such as Appstore, Playstore or the official app website.

4. Never fill out unknown survey forms

Nowadays, you see a lot of survey forms circulating in WhatsApp/social groups. These forms lure people by promising big rewards such as cash prizes, scooters, AC, iPhones etc and then collect personal information from the users for the sake of it. Most of these forms are fake and are created with the purpose to steal personal information which is later used to harass people. This information is also sold at very cheap rates to companies running tele-promotions or email promotions who might spam you with irrelevant and unnecessary messages. Refrain from filling out such survey forms.

5. Keep your social media accounts private

Keeping a public social media account may attract unwanted trespassers who might stalk your profile and later harass you. They might photoshop your uploaded photographs and later blackmail and demand hefty amounts for the sake of not uploading them publicly. They can track your family members through your friend lists or followers list. Accept follow requests only from people whom you know. Keep your friends list private on Facebook. Make a separate public account where your close friends and family members are not added if you necessarily need a public account.

6. Logout after using public devices

Manier times, we have to use our account via a public device. Try and use the incognito mode while doing so. After the work is done, don’t forget to log out of the device. If left logged in, other people

7. Never share your personal information online

Avoid sharing your personal information such as Aadhar number, passwords, OTPs, banking details etc with anyone online. In online mode, it's difficult to know about the real person behind that account. Never trust some random stranger online. They can be impersonating someone else. Beware and be careful of such accounts.

Even after following the above-mentioned preventive measures, it might be possible that you fall and become victim to cyberbullying. In such cases, never be afraid to open up and speak about it. Report and block the bully’s account immediately, share the entire scenario/situation with your close friends, family, relatives or teachers and take necessary actions. File an FIR against the bully if necessary or complain online by visiting the official cybercrime website. One must know, that if they don’t stand up against that person, he/she might target someone else again. For the sake of others as well as you, one must not be afraid of anyone and speak up openly about it. It is advised not to sink to the bully’s level i.e., by starting a cyber-bully campaign against that bully, especially by going against the law and order. Indian users can report such instances immediately through the official Indian government website: https://cybercrime.gov.in/  or they can even call at 1930 to report such instances. Apart from that one can contact the local police station by dialling '100'. For women, the helpline number is '1091'.
Finally, in the end, I want you all to take a pledge that you will never indulge in or support any activities involving any sort of bullying. Neither you will bully someone or become a victim of it. It's not necessary that a person who is the victim of cyberbullying has to by themselves report the same. If you feel that someone you know has been bullied, stand with that person and file a complaint on his/her behalf. Let’s all stand strong against this punishable offence and make the internet a better place for all!

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