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
- ✓Ensure you stop and consider before posting: 'Will the other person dislike this?' or 'How would I feel if someone said this to me?'
- ✓If you or someone you know is hurt by thoughtless words, do not bear it alone; immediately consult a trusted family member, teacher, or friend.
- ✓If you find an unpleasant post or message, immediately take a screenshot (screen capture) to preserve evidence. When doing so, ensure the full content of the post, the specific date and time it was posted, the website URL, and the poster's account name are all captured in a single image.
- ✓In addition to screenshots, consider saving the entire webpage as a PDF file to enhance the reliability of the evidence.
- ✓Do not thoughtlessly 'spread' or 'like' malicious posts, as you could unknowingly become a perpetrator.
Where to Seek Help When in Trouble
If you become a victim of cyberbullying or slander, never suffer alone; please seek help. There are many public consultation services available. Experts can provide appropriate advice tailored to your situation through services such as the Police Consultation Hotline '#9110', the Ministry of Justice's Human Rights Counseling Service, and the 'Illegal/Harmful Information Consultation Center' commissioned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Also, consider consulting a lawyer who can help you request the deletion of content on your behalf, and in some cases, support procedures for identifying the poster.
Contact Points for Help: Consumer Hotline (188), Police Consultation Hotline (#9110)