Cybersecurity experts from CSIR have called on the adult community to play an active role in protecting minors from cyberbullying, as part of minimising the scourge in society.
Pretoria Rekord reports, many young people currently have the tools to easily access the internet for reasons related to entertainment, education and social networking, which may also lead to children facing cyberbullying.
Cybersecurity experts said according to research, Instagram accounted for 42% of bullying, which occurred on the app, while Facebook accounted for 37%, Snapchat 31%, WhatsApp 12% and 9% on Twitter.
The researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) were briefing the media on Friday over the negative effects of cyberbullying.
CSIR Cybersecurity Expert, Rofhiwa Netshiya, said there was a need for public education about all forms of cyberbullying.
“We need to educate children that all forms of cyberbullying are wrong and can lead to serious disciplinary action.”
Netshiya advised parents to install internet monitoring software on their children’s computers to be able to track their activities on social media.
“There are low-cost products that can invisibly monitor the activities of your kids and privately email you the results as often as you like.”
She said these were very important to track internet sites visited, downloads, chatroom conversations and instant messaging.
“Parents are advised to reinforce positive morals and values and educate their children about appropriate online behaviour, such as the use of account privacy settings.
“Parents should report such matters to the police and provide unconditional support to their children should they experience cyberbullying.”
CSIR senior Cybersecurity researcher, Sipho Ngobeni, said the briefing was part of the CSIR’s cybersecurity awareness programme. The aim is to educate and sensitise the public about cyber-related crimes and highlight steps that people can take to ensure they do not become victims of cyberbullying.
Ngobeni said educators do not know when and how to intervene in online behaviour that occurred away from school, while “law enforcement is often also hesitant to get involved unless there is clear evidence”.
