Cyber-bullying
in Singapore
Singapore ranked 2nd
in the world for cyber bullying (only behind the US). Widespread access to
Internet contributes to this alarming statistic (Scott, 2013). To address the
issue, the government recently passed a Harassment bill allowing for judiciary
action against offenders. Yet this measure seems to be inadequate in addressing
the issue. Current measures that are primarily
focused on adults are not comprehensive in tackling the issue. In fact research
reflect, that the greatest victims of cyber-bullying are teenagers between the ages
of 8-17 (Family & Life, 2014). Being a largely conservative Asian society,
social stigma that exists within the society, prevents open discourse about the
issue. This exacerbates the harm and impedes any form of resolution. A holistic
solution would then be a partnership between the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry
of Social and Family development (MSF) and parents. The aim is to create a
cohesive society where individuals believe in edifying each another. This
reduces the intent to commit the act as well as provide the atmosphere where
treatment can be better administered.
Bullying is often a rite
of passage that one goes through in life. Advancement in Internet technology only
shifted it’s ‘playing-field’ from the playground onto the Internet. The
tradition act of inflicting wilful and repeated harm on others has just taken
on an electronic form (Family & Life, 2014). Yet it’s impact has been
exacerbated. Particularly in Singapore, where 33% out of 4000 students surveyed,
claim to have experienced some form of cyber-bullying in their lives (Baig,
2014). The Internet, especially social media, has increased the exchanges
between individuals, albeit one that is sometimes conducted in anonymity. This empowers individuals to commit the
offence, as they are able to hide behind the screen of anonymity. Social media
has also exacerbated the impact of cyber-bullying, by hurling insults online;
it creates a herd mentally, where there is now a greater audience persecuting
the victim. While the effects of bullying ranges the depression to societal deviant
behaviour, the suicide by a 16-year old Burmese girl, after her ex-boyfriend
hurled insults at her, highlights the severity of the issue.
Current measures such as
the harassment act do not suffice in addressing the problem. The harassment act, which allows for policing
and civil actions to be taken against offenders (Neo, 2014), is a reactive
measure that does not deal with the crux of the problem. Moreover, the target
group of cyber-bullying are mainly teenagers, being under-aged the
effectiveness civil and legal actions against them are largely nullified. Attempts
at resolving the problem have to be targeted at removing the intent of the act.
To achieve that outcome, steps have to be taken towards creating a cohesive
society.
The key to constructing a
cohesive society lies in education. Starting at the top, with policies
constructed by the Ministry of Social and Family development (MSF). It’s mission to “nurturing a resilient and
caring society that can overcome challenges together” (MSF, n.d.) coincides
with the desire to eliminate cyber-bullying. MSF could host various carnivals
around Singapore that focuses on generating awareness for cyber bullying. This
would evoke discussion about the topic, creating awareness and concurrently
reduce the stigma that surrounds the issue. The games at the carnival would
also provide a fun and light-hearted atmosphere for fellow Singaporeans to
mingle and bond. From this event, the objective
is to allow for families to bond and parents to gain important knowledge about
parenthood. As homes are safe havens for
children, parents should build an environment where their children are affirmed
and comfortable. Many a times, the victims of cyber bullying are those who are
quiet and mild. Hence having an assuring family behind them would equip them
with the confidence to stand up against the offenders as well as to stand up
for others. In the event that, the bullying that has already occurred, a family
that has a habit of open discussion would allow for early detection and better
counselling. Therefore the carnivals hosted by MSF would act as a platform for
both family bonding and as well as a medium to impart proper parenting skills
that is crucial in the fight against cyber bullying.
Education should also be
specifically concentrated on the target groups of teenagers. Being teenagers,
they are at the stage where proper guidance in imperative for correct social
behaviour. Since teenagers spent most of their time outside of home in schools,
the Ministry of Education (MOE) should be involved in the next step of
education. Complementing the formal
transmission of guidelines for responsible behaviour online, the Ministry
should also devote more time to create occasions for students to forge
friendships. Teenagers between the ages
of 8-17 are under-going puberty. They are at a rebellious point of their lives
where they are guided largely by irrational emotions. Hence even with disciplinary actions or
guidelines in place to educate them, the effectiveness would largely be
negated. In fact, it might even trigger the “forbidden fruit” syndrome, where
they would challenge these boundaries. Thereby the feasible method tailored to the
age group, is to foster friendship amongst them. Research has also showed that
cyber-bullies are often people who have been bullied (No Bullying, 2015).
Having an environment that encourages edification amongst student would
therefore be the optimal solution to stop the ‘domino-effect’ of
cyber-bullying.
Although the fruits of creating
a cohesive society would take time to bear, it should not dampen the resolve to
carry it out. Education plays an important role in these process and the
various government agencies should take the initiative in engaging the society.
Nevertheless, education is only a means to and end, and should the final goal
is to create a cohesive society for all to live in. This measures would thereby resolve the issue
at its crux and complement the current measures that only serves as deterrence.
(972 words)
References
Cyber bullying statistics 2014. (2015).
Retrieved Mar 9, 2015, from http://nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-statistics-2014/
Nawira Baig. (2014, Aug 15). 1 in 3 students in
Singapore have been victims of cyberbullying. Retrieved on 9 Mar, 2015, from Vulcan Post :https://sg.news.yahoo.com/1-3-students-singapore-victims-070013753.html
Neo Chai Chin. (2014, Mac 14). Anti-harassment laws to fight ‘social
scourge’. Retrieved on 9 Mar, 2015, from
Today: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/anti-harassment-laws-fight-social-scourge
New law takes on cyberbullying in Singapore.
(2014). Retrieved Mar 9, 2015, from http://nobullying.com/new-law-takes-on-cyberbullying-in-singapore/
Meiling Wong, C ( n.d). The class bully. Retrieved on 9 Mar, 2015,
from http://sg.theasianparent.com/bullying_in_singapore/
Singapore is the second highest nation of
cyberbullies. (2014). Retrieved Mar 9, 2015, from http://familyandlife.sg/Nurture/2014/03/Singapore_Second_Highest_Nation_Cyberbullies
Scott, R. (2013, Jan 28). What you really need
to know about cyber-bullying in singapore. Retrieved on Mar 9, 2015, from Singapore Business Review: http://sbr.com.sg/information-technology/commentary/what-you-really-need-know-about-cyber-bullying-in-singapore
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