Hello everyone! I am Shemhaza, the Guardian (Sentinel). The internet is a wonderful place that enriches our lives, but unfortunately, 'cyberbullying' and 'slander' – acts of hurting someone with thoughtless words and actions – continue unabated. Precisely because faces are not seen, these acts can easily escalate, not only deeply wounding the victims' hearts but sometimes even developing into serious, life-threatening situations. Today, let's think together about what to do if you, or someone important to you, falls victim to such harm.
Tactics of Cyberbullying and Slander: Targeting Your Heart in Unseen Places
- ▸① They post baseless insults and rumors (false information) on social media, forums, anonymous sites, etc., and try to spread them. Sometimes, derogatory comments are made secretly in places out of the victim's sight.
- ▸② 'Impersonation' is also an increasing problem, where perpetrators pretend to be the victim, post on social media as if the victim caused a problem, or send malicious messages.
- ▸③ Without permission, they publish photos or videos the victim doesn't want seen online, and rapidly spread them among others. Once spread, it becomes very difficult to completely delete them.
- ▸④ In group chats like LINE, malicious harassment can occur, such as excluding specific friends or ignoring messages without replying, isolating them.
Checkpoints to Protect Yourself and Those Around You
- ✓Before posting, consider whether the content could harm another person's rights or feelings.
- ✓If you are targeted, speak to family, a teacher, or a support service instead of dealing with it alone.
- ✓Record the content, URL, date, time, and account name, and save screenshots. Use several readable images if everything will not fit in one.
- ✓Check the platform's reporting and removal procedures. Contact a human-rights counseling service if you need help.
- ✓Avoid quoting and spreading the harmful post further.
Where to Seek Help When in Trouble
In Japan, the Ministry of Justice's human-rights counseling services and the Illegal and Harmful Information Consultation Center accept consultations about online abuse. Legal Affairs Bureaus may ask providers to remove content they determine infringes human rights. The consultation center advises on matters such as how to request removal. These services do not guarantee removal or identification of a poster. Contact police if you are threatened or in danger.
These are Japanese services: #9110 for non-emergency police consultation and 188 for consumer problems involving purchases or contracts. Use the Ministry of Justice links below for human-rights counseling. In immediate danger in Japan, call 110; outside Japan, use your local emergency and support services.