- Update 1.8.2020 – Dark Social: A New Twist in Online Bullying
- Update 8.17.19 – Cyberbullying, Trolls and Free Speech
- Update 8.13.19 – What IS NOT Cyberbullying
When being cyber bullied, there are practical ways to respond. But when the situation calls for it, don’t hesitate to get professional, legal and police assistance.
Related Bullying and Cyber bullying Articles:
Cyber bullying and Suicide
It was reported that there was an increase of cyber/bullying related suicides, and studies were being done to connect suicide to bullying incidence.
Cyber bullying is a Violation of (Digital) Human Rights
Free speech is one of the human rights and a guaranteed constitutional right in the Philippines, however, it can lead to abuse and border to harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, cyber abuse and negative online experience.
When a person is being cyber bullied or harassed online, their digital human right against discrimination, safety, privacy, live their life, move and express their thoughts, is being violated.
Suggested Reading: How To Handle: Right To Free Speech, Trolls And Bashing
Cyber bullying in the Philippines
the anti-bullying act of 2013 . Coverage is limited to high school students and minors.
While there are high profile cyber lynching cases reported by media, most incidents remain under reported. Since the anti-bullying act of 2013 covers only high school students and minors, adult victims, can seek legal remedy from some provisions of the Cybercrime and anti voyeurism law.
Some provisions that can help adults are online libel, identity theft, recording, sharing of intimate images and videos While there are high profile cyber lynching cases reported by media, most incidents remain under reported. Since the anti-bullying act of 2013 covers only high school students and minors, adult victims, can seek legal remedy from some provisions of the Cybercrime and anti voyeurism law. Some provisions that can help adults are online libel, identity theft, recording, sharing of intimate images and videos
Adults and parents whose kids might become a victim of bullying must find time to read and understand the provisions of both the bullying and cybercrime law. Adults and parents whose kids might become a victim of bullying must find time to read and understand the provisions of both the bullying and cybercrime law.
What to do if you are at the receiving end of cyber bullying
Always inform somebody when you are being cyber bullied, harassed, stalked or mobbed
- As a minor, tell your parents or guardian. It is best to share this also to your class adviser or the school’s guidance office. Parents, it’s best to inform the principal about the incident. As required by law, schools thru the Principal or his/her designate, should conduct an investigation.
- As an adult, tell someone you trust, and if harassment is work related, it is wise to give your HR a heads-up. If you’re experiencing workplace bullying, here’s what you can do
Always keep a copy of the hate messages, degrading images and/or videos using a browser where the url is visible when taking a screenshot
- Do not delete text messages, email, tweets and PMs/DMs.
- Always take a screenshot of the Facebook, Twitter and other social networ’s timeline
- Download a copy of degrading images or videos to be kept as evidence
Block the accounts of the people who are harassing you.
- Parents, do this immediately and have your kids take an online vacation
- For adult victims, do this if the attacks are affecting you already but ask someone to monitor the accounts of the bully.
- If you can, take an online vacation. Use a different CP numbers when necessary, but ask someone to monitor the SMS in your original number.
When cyber bullied using social media, report the account, photos and videos to social network providers
- For Facebook abuses, if you do not have an account, report HERE
- If you have a Facebook account and you wish to report a harassment/bullying follow this GUIDELINES
- For Twitter abuses, report HERE
- For Instagram, go HERE.
- For Snapchat, go HERE.
Seek professional, police and/or legal help when necessary
According to this news report, if cyberbullying is happening to you or a love one, you can contact the National Bureau of Investigation at [email protected] or call 521-9208, local extensions 3429 (Chief) and 3497 (Staff).
Seek financial damages, when applicable
One who is aggrieved by a defamatory post in social media may find refuge in the provisions of the Civil Code on Damages (Art. 2176, Civil Code), according to Atty. Cyndy P. dela Cruz.
One who posts in social media, causing damage to the reputation of another may be liable to the subject for damages and this can be a valid cause of action under the law. Such posts must tend to pry to the privacy and peace of mind of another, meddle or disturb the private life or family relations of another, intrigue to cause another to be alienated from his friends or vex or humiliate another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect or other personal condition. (Art. 26, Civil Code)
If both the cyber bullied and offender is minor
- *Bully is from the same school – report to the child protection committee or the guidance counselor
- *Bully is from another school – report to the offenders school
- **Bully is out of school youth – bring the matter to the barangay where the offender is residing
* the school will determine if aside from administrative sanction, there is a need to file criminal charges. If parents are not happy with handling, they can escalate the incident to Dep Ed.
** if there is no resolution at the barangay level, they can proceed to the Women and Child Protection Desk of the PNP or DSWD
If offenders are adult but the cyber bullied are either minor or women
- Go to the nearest Women and Children’s Protection Desk of PNP
- Alternately, you can file an online report here: http://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/?page_id=1047 (use cyber harassment) note: the online reporting form was removed and no longer available
- Or visit either the PNP Cybercrime Unit at Camp Crame or the NBI Cybercrime Unit
If both the cyber bullied and offender are adults
- You can file an online report here: http://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/?page_id=1047 (use cyber harassment)
note: the online reporting form was removed and no longer available - Or visit either the PNP Cybercrime Unit at Camp Crame or the NBI Cybercrime Unit
Schools and Companies, for support purposes, should have a bullying and social computing policy; and promote surf safe practices thru learning events and other interventions. The policy should answer for the administrative discipline of the perpetrator. Likewise, a counselling program should also be in place for victims of any forms of bullying.
Have you or a love one experienced cyber bullying? What have you done to handle the situation?
Founder of LODI Inc. (Learning and Organization Development Institute, Inc.) and Co-Founder of Blogwatch. Mentor and Dad of 2 Gen Z Professionals.
Advocate of #HRinHR (Human Rights in Human Resources) and #DigitalCitizenship
Strategist for Talent, Culture & Content Development, and Cyber Wellness Initiatives
Keynoter and Facilitator of Workplace and Life Learning
Blogging since 2004.
What about Tik tok and Wiebo platforms, how can we report abusive users?
Hey Joma,
On Weibo’s community guidelines, this article might help.
Hi,
I am not familiar with Weibo because it is not common outside China. On Tik tok however, you can familiarize yourself with their community guidelines and seek help HERE.
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What if its her mom and her against me. Its been a while since they are harassing me online. They arent mentioning names but we all know its me. Just read between the lines😔
it’s better to seek legal and professional help if the harassment is deliberate but carefully done
hi someone has made a copy of my profile. I was reported to fb as being a fake accnt. then after i settled it with facebook 3days later the said profile was used to harrass a former co worker whom i have not contacted for 2years.. the said former coworker then posted their convos including the fake account of mine. my reputation is being dragged by this incident.
get in touch with the former co worker to clarify and settle the incident
My live in partner is working in a restaurant. He has this cleft palate. One of the manager messaged him here in facebook to ask if meron na sya non since birth. He said yes. After that, his manager replied with a video of their co workers laughing. What should we do? Is it cyber bullying? What action should be made for this? Thank you so much po.
video of laughing? about what? because the manager is sharing the convo with other employees?