THE RISKS OF ONLINE HARASSMENT

In October 2024, six billion individuals accessed the Internet, which accounts for 68 percent of the global population.

- MYLENE MENDOZA-DAYRIT

Around 5.2 billion engaged in social media platforms as well. The majority of business correspondence, 55 percent, is conducted through emails while people spend an average of 6.5 hours, or roughly a quarter of the day, online. Not surprisingly, only a minor three percent opts for face-to-face communication.

Information and thoughts are shared via screens in today's world. Bullying is no longer confined to face-to-face encounters; cyberbullying has become a harmful type of harassment. It surpasses the limits of bullying by existing in the cyber realm, continuing to haunt victims even after the initial incident. Individuals involved in cyberbullying and those who are targeted both encounter risks that can have enduring impacts on their well-being.

While millions are still grieving the sudden death of Liam Payne, his tragic end (putting the conspiracy theories aside) has stirred up advocates for anti-cyberbullying. The mother of his seven-year-old son Bear, singer Cheryl appealed for sensitivity in a pinned Instagram post: ON LOSING NOT JUST A POP STAR

"As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being. Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend, and a father to our seven-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."

"What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day, Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.