The suicide rate has increased by 11% worldwide due to cyberbullying, resulting in the death of 140 teens a year
LAHORE: Cyberbullying has become a menace all over the world in recent years. The targeted population is young children and teenagers. The number of teens using these platforms is increasing by the day. It is an environment where people can create multiple fake accounts to bully others online. The victims of this act become emotionally and psychologically troubled, often resulting in psychological issues and even suicide. Reports say the suicide rate has increased by 11% worldwide due to cyberbullying, resulting in the death of 140 teens a year.
Over the years, popular social media platforms have been taking precautionary measures to cope with this challenge. Despite improvements in creating effective policies, it has been recorded that in 2018 around 34% of teens have been cyberbullied while 15% have admitted to bullying others.
In Pakistan, the number of young users of social media has increased manifold, for leisure and educational purposes. This has increased their vulnerability to cyberbullying. Parents and teachers are not fully aware of the risk and how it can emotionally damage young users. They have an equal responsibility to raise and spread awareness about this issue. It is high time that the global community implemented effective measures to curb the menace of cyberbullying.
Muhammad Rafay Waqar
Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2019.
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