Cyber bullying : Unseen wounds and rise of digital abuse

Cyberbullying has rapidly evolved as a serious concern under criminal law . As per updates in technology that has become central to our lives influencing the darker side of online interactions.

Once seen as mere online misconduct, it concluded legal recognition due to its  emotional and psychological impact on victims. Influential cases and widespread public awareness led to more focus on  stricter laws targeting online harassment, threats, and defamation. Lawmakers acknowledged the persistent and borderless nature of cyberbullying, enacting penalties to deter such behavior.

This evolution under society has gained commitment to digital safety and accountability.

Recognizing this, criminal law adapted to confront the threat directly. Legal systems across the world had been highly serious considering influential laws that should be implemented as it became a punishable offense.

Cyberbullying and online harassment are highly counted among the tragic issues in the digital age, affecting all genders. However, there are indeed some major gaps in understanding and addressing challenges faced by male victims. Digital technology has completely changed social interaction and communication in recent years. While this has many positive effects, it has also led to the emergence of new types of online harassment and bullying. Online harassment and cyberbullying have become major social issues with serious repercussions for the psychological and general well-being of their victims. Even while these problems have received a lot of attention, little is still known about the particular needs and experiences of male victims.

It’s important to identify cyberbullying and online harassment and comprehend how they materialize in the digital sphere before diving into legal and regulatory methods. Cyberbullying is the practice of intimidating, threatening, or dehumanizing others online—often repeatedly and with malevolent intent. The term “online harassment” covers a wider spectrum of behaviors, stalking, and doxxing, spreading wrong information to cause distress to male victims.

Navigating the factors related to cyberbullying and sexual assault of men

The pervasive nature of cyberbullying and sexual assault in the digital age serves with wide challenges for men, whose experiences often remain unrecognized or misunderstood.

Even while talks about these problems usually center on female victims, it is important to recognize and address the unique causes that lead to sexual assault and cyberbullying against men. The goal of this essay is to negotiate the intricate interactions between many aspects of different abuse types, illuminating the underlying dynamics, cultural perceptions, and structural impediments that mould the experiences of male victims. We may better comprehend the complex nature of cyberbullying and sexual assault against men by looking at the interplay of gender, power relations, and online behavior. We can also work to create a more secure and welcoming digital space for everyone.

There are some major factors influencing cyberbullying against men :

• Gender stereotypes : Even today some stereotypes and traditional notions of masculinity discourage men from seeking help or reporting instances of cyberbullying, fearing being judged or highly not recognized.
• Online power dynamics : Men are highly targeted for cyberbullying due to factors such as perceived social status, sexuality, or competitive disagreements leading to feelings of vulnerability and isolation issues.
• Enhanced Intersectionality : The issues may seem to be different for every community as men from marginalized or minority communities face tragic forms of cyberbullying, stemming from intersecting factors like race, sexuality, and disability.
• Societal perceptions : As we are aware society always pressurizes men over their policies to be strong, and superior which usually makes crimes against them ignored.  This gives way to silence and disbelief.
• Legal and Institutional barriers : Legal frameworks and support services sometimes fail to fulfil the holistic needs of citizens leading to insufficiently addressed crime, underreporting, and inadequate access to resources.