Cyberbullying in Australia: Contemplating Countermeasures

Posted by FamilyLawyer on August 23rd, 2022

This article aims to briefly examine the cyberbullying issue in Australia and what can be done to minimize or eliminate its interference with the daily life. The recommendation(s) are not meant to be exhaustive, nor intended to be a substitute for any form of protection or safety. If you are subject to any form of cyberbullying, it is highly recommended to immediately seek professional help/advice as may be appropriate to your circumstances.

What is cyberbullying and how do I know if I am being bullied online?

Cyberbullying occurs when someone uses the internet to be mean, or hostile to a child, young person, or even adult person. The initial aim of the person who commits the cyberbullying is to hurt the person who is the subject of the bullying. Sometimes the bully uses the online platform to send and share with third parties hurtful or embarrassing photos or videos that is related to the person who is subject to the bullying. Other forms include using a fake account in the name of the person who is subject to the bullying and sending messages pretending to be from the person who suffers from the bullying act.

What in general does a cyberbully want to achieve?

The likely objective(s) of a person or persons who commits cyberbullying is to get your attention and lure you into engaging with them, however short, so they can either inflict harm upon the person’s interest, hurt him/her in some way, or deceive/defraud the person in order to illegally enrich themselves.

Who is most affected by cyberbullying in Australia?

Research conducted into the digital lives of Aussie teens has reported that as at 2021, 44% of Australian young people reported having a negative online experience in the 6 months to September 2020. The research was based on a survey of 627 teens aged 12 to 17 in September 2020.

How does cyberbullying impact some Aussie teens?

The above research further indicated that 30% of young persons were being contacted by someone they did not know, 20% received inappropriate or unwanted content and 16% were deliberately excluded from events or social groups.

What are some examples of cyberbullying?

Imagine you are online and someone either known or unknown to you, uses some sort of threat to harm you. This form of threat, sometimes not always, involves some sort of blackmailing. For instance, someone might threaten you that if you tell the truth about a common subject that you are both aware of, he/she, in retaliation, will post a photo of you, or share it with a stranger or someone you may know, a private moment of your life, that you do not want to be shared online or with any third party.

There are other forms of online intimidation whereas you are asked to withdraw from a group, team, or association because you are deemed by the bully to be the cause of their loss. That said, humiliating you online using derogatory terms or harmful adjectives to describe your personality, or your action is another form of cyberbullying.

How did Australia address the cyberbullying issue?

In 2015, Australia established eSafety Commissioner (eSafety). The eSafety is Australia’s national independent regulator for online safety. The eSafety drives its powers from the Online Safety Act 2021 which took effect in January 2022. The aim of the eSafety is to help protect all Australians from the most serious forms of online harm.

Is cyberbullying a criminal act?

The short answer is yes. Section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) stipulates using a carriage service in a menacing, harassing, or offensive way is against the law and thus a crime.

For further information about the eSafety, you may access the information using the following link:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/research/digital-lives-aussie-teens

For advice or assistance with cyberbullying matters contact the Cyberbullying Team at Aylward Game Solicitors today on 1800 217 217

Find Brisbane Cyberbullying Team on Google Maps near you.

Article Source: Cyberbullying in Australia