The number one cause of suicide among young people

Henriette Lamprecht – Statististics of suicide due to cyberbullying are increasing at an alarming rate. “Cyberbullying can occur 24 hours a day on various platforms and apps,” warns Diana Schwarz, social media law expert and children’s rights activist.

Schwarz has visited Namibia numerous times, sharing information with children, teachers and principals on something that, according to her, is “rampant” in the country.

She defines social media as websites and applications a person can access on their mobile devices, enabling them to share thoughts or information, pictures, videos as well as to chat to their friends.

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, embarrassing pictures or videos sent by email or posted on social networking sites.

Schwarz says age restrictions should be applied to social media platforms.

“The age restriction for most social media platforms is 13 years and can be found under the platform’s terms & conditions. It must be adhered to,” Schwarz explains.

In her view, a 13-year-old should have adequately developed the ability to determine right from wrong, identify danger and have the emotional maturity to interact responsibly on a social media platform.

“This is however not true for each child. A parent is the best person to determine whether his/her child has reached an appropriate level of maturity.”

The dangers of a child using social media varies, and includes personal information made known to strangers.

“A child’s personal information such as their name, birth date, home address, school address, etcetera, can be made known by posts or pictures. This makes it easier for cyber criminals such as stalkers and paedophiles to gain access to them,” Schwarz explains.

Another danger is a digital footprint/reputation which can be harmed by posts.

“Everybody has an online identity/reputation that is affected by their activity on social media and the internet.

Unfortunately, kids live in a digital age where everything is documented.”

She warns that children must protect their digital footprint/reputation ensuring it does not affect their future – both in life and upon applying for employment.

Schwarz also references catfishing. This involves someone (usually an adult) creating a fake online profile with the intention to form a relationship with another person. This is done with the aim to harm or defraud the victim. For a child, the plan is usually to lure them and will result in harming the child physically, sexually or emotionally.

Cyberbullying includes cyberstalking whereby children are stalked on social media by child predators and human traffickers via their social media profiles.

According to Schwarz, grooming can happen online or offline.

“It is similar to catfishing. A child is groomed by an adult over a period of time. This can also be done by creating a fake profile. The groomer will use the child’s personal information to manipulate him or her, often buys expensive gifts etc. “Again here the aim is to eventually meet with the child and to harm the child physically, sexually and emotionally.”

As a result of catfishing and online grooming, access to victims has become easier for cybercriminals.

“Cybercriminals are extremely intelligent and use social media to their advantage. They are able to also access their victims by hacking accounts or using malware programmes.” Unfortunately, social media has also made it easier to access victims for the purposes of human trafficking, Schwarz explains.

“A victim is abducted and then sold into slavery. For a child, the victim is usually sold into the child sex trade or prostitution.”

She warns parents to be involved in their children’s lives and to build a relationship of trust with them.

“More often than not a child will not feel comfortable sharing information about cyberbullying with their parent. Parents also need to be social media and internet savvy.”

Parents need to know about safety settings, parental control software and the platforms/apps their kids are on. Parents also need to determine if their child is emotionally mature enough to be on social media.

A child can safeguard themselves against cyberbullying by telling a parent, a friend or a teacher about the bullying.

“Block the harasser. Report the harasser to the social media platform you are on. Get a protection order in terms of applicable law.”

Unfortunately, she says, teenagers are typically experiencing a difficult transition between being a younger child and progressing to an adult.

“Hormones, body changes and emotions can sometimes make attitudes less susceptible to guidance and education.”

Often the teenager may feel “it won’t happen to me” or “I’m smarter than that”.

“The best thing we can do is educate both teens and parents, so informed choices are made.”

If your child is a victim of cyberbullying, Schwarz explains he or she needs to share this by telling someone who can assist them. Blocking the harasser and reporting the person on the social media platform must be done immediately. The school the child attends should also be informed.

“Often there is secondary bullying taking place at school and often the cyberbully attends the same school. The school needs to deal with the matter appropriately in accordance with their social media policy.”

The victim can obtain a protection order from the cyberbully in terms of applicable law, sue for defamation (if facts published are untrue) and lay a charge of crimen injuria (the unlawful and intentional impairment of a person’s dignity).

Schwarz further explains a child has the right to access information on the internet.

“A child will have rights to protection on social media platforms and assistance from platforms, if the child is of age to use that social media platform.”

According to Schwarz Namibian laws need to be developed to deal with these issues.

“People are being held accountable as these are offences and crimes in the eyes of the law. There are no seperate cyberspace laws. The law offline applies online and is being further developed with regard to social media and cyberspace.”

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