Cyberbullying: How to combat it?

Online cyberbullying has become an increasingly common problem in society, Therefore, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection of Nayarit (SSPC) has formulated a series of practical recommendations to address this problem. Cyberbullying, defined as intimidating acts that take place through digital platforms such as social media, messaging platforms, online games and mobile devices, has seen a worrying increase.

According to data from the 2022 Cyberbullying Module, prepared by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) with information from the National Survey on Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Homes (Endutih), Women in Mexico have been victims of cyberbullying in various forms in the last 12 months. 34.8% of affected women experienced sexual advances or proposals, while 33.6% received sexual content. In comparison, men recorded percentages of 15.1% and 18.5%, respectively.

The fight against cyberbullying It involves more than simply reporting harassers; It also means recognizing that everyone deserves respect, both in the digital world and in everyday life. To this end, the Nayarit SSPC offers the following practical recommendations:

1. Blocking Users to avoid cyberbullying:

   • Block any user, whether from an existing account or a new account they may create.

2. Mute Accounts:

   • Silence accounts without notifying the affected user.

3. “Restrict” function:

   • Use the “Restrict” feature to discreetly protect your account without the other person knowing.
4. • Filter comments on your posts based on your preferences.

5. Direct Message Settings:

   • Change your settings to receive direct messages only from people you follow.

6. Control of Offensive Content:

   • Take advantage of automatic social media tools to hide comments or messages deemed inappropriate. You can also customize your list of unwanted emojis, words or phrases.

These recommendations provide practical tools to protect against cyberbullying and foster a safer and more respectful online environment.

The charge Cyberbullying: How to combat it? appeared first in Tribuna de México.