Cyberbullying and Sexting
By Dr. Tomori Mareglen
- Cyberbullying and sexting are forms of bullying carried out on the internet by means of
IT tools, in particular smartphones. To prevent the phenomenon and reduce the risks to which boys and girls are exposed is useful to know some tips for the conscious use of the network and to have contacts services to contact in case of need.
- Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying uses information technologies to intimidate, harass, put in
embarrassment, making girls or other groups of friends or boys feel uncomfortable.
The network is used to spread defamatory, true or false images or videos online
are, through social networks, messages, chats, forums. Often the material
widespread concerns aspects related to sexuality or in any case to the intimate and personal sphere. All the various types of cyberbullying, such as below, slander,
insults, dissemination of embarrassing videos, identity theft, creation of false profiles, and false images, are punishable offenses that can be reported.
The complaint is more effective if it is carried out without delay, as over time it becomes
increasingly difficult to stop the dissemination of material online.
In Italy, Law no. 71/2017 introduced legislation on cyberbullying, so in the
schools must carry out actions to prevent the phenomenon and in every institution
school, the figure of a contact person against bullying and cyberbullying is established.
Cyberbullying victims aged 14 or over have the right to request the blackout, removal, or blocking of any social content of this type staff and site managers are required to take action within 48 hours. In the event that the manager does not carry out the removal, you can contact the Guarantor of Privacy which must intervene within the following 48 hours by requiring the elimination of offensive content.
From a legal point of view, cyberbullies risk a very serious penalty especially in the case of dissemination of images and videos of minors.
- Sexting
The term sexting derives from the union of the words sex and texting and means to send
or share sex pictures and videos. Portraying yourself or exchanging sexual photos and videos is an increasingly widespread behavior but it is essential to know that it can lead
with unpleasant consequences, both from a psychological and a legal point of view.
Usually, the images, sent in chat or to a partner within a context of mutual trust, are subsequently forwarded to other people. Through sharing in a short time you can go from sending to a small circle of friends to one very fast viral spread. It is a phenomenon that affects younger and younger girls and boys and yes realizes through smartphones, in particular with the diffusion of images through special App of platforms on which there are real e own online photo boards, much used by girls and boys.
Currently, doesn't exist concrete law against sexting but the dissemination of photos and videos explicit, especially if they contain images of minors, configure various
crimes punished with very severe penalties.
- Advice against sexting
Do not give friendships on social networks to unknown people, even if they are friends of friends
periodically check the privacy settings of their accounts and on social network
change passwords periodically and never share them, not even with trusted friends
do not leave your smartphone unattended
do not share photos and videos that could be misused by others
do not use your name and surname and do not write your personal data in chat or on messaging (telephone number, address, social security number, email, etc.)
take a screenshot of posts or messages deemed offensive
copy the complete link of the profile of those who misuse an image in as for a complaint, the name is not enough
do not reply to messages from unknown people and do not reply to provocative messages
block accounts that send objectionable posts
immediately report the dissemination of content to the site manager private without your consent.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you should urgently seek help.
Talk to your sibling, parents, close friends and contact the police station in your area to report the incident and get relevant instructions.
Never underestimate such situations
Criminologist - Crime Analyst Expert in Forensic Sciences,
Investigative Criminology & Intelligence
IPO HQ Executive President - CEO
