The covid-19 virus and cyberbullying People who are seated across the table from one other and gazing at their mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, rather than the person who is directly in front of them have been the subject of our teasing. On occasion, we communicate with one another across the table by means of our mobile phones. While sitting in the same room, my wife and I have engaged in public and (hopefully) amusing chats on Facebook. These talks have taken place while we were just a few feet apart. The majority of the time, however, we see and provide criticism of this conduct on social media, and we have a tendency to refer to it as anti-social behavior. Currently, as a result of COVID-19, all of us are at home, not attending school, not working, and are socially isolating ourselves. These technologies, which we condemn but yet utilize, are a blessing in disguise since they allow individuals to avoid coming into contact with one another. Within the confines of our existing shelters, we are able to digitally communicate with our loved ones and make orders for these gadgets for as low as fifty dollars if they do not already own them. This is particularly beneficial for the elderly. With the exception of screaming at neighbors across the street, my wife and I are all equally distant at the moment, and this will continue to be the case for some time to come. However, we are able to spend face-to-face time with our kid who is staying abroad using messenger video. But there is another side to it. Because they have so much spare time, there is a high probability that there will be an increase in instances of cyberbullying. As boredom sets in and digital mischief rises, there is a high probability that there will be an increase in undesirable conduct. This is because there is a great deal of dread of “the other,” which includes religion, ethnicity, and gender orientation. It would seem that this virus has the potential to engage in viral activity. Cyberbullying is defined by aggressive and harmful conduct that is communicated via digital communication, such as phones, tablets, and computers. It also includes the dissemination of rumors, photos that are offensive or sexual, and hate speech. The mental and emotional well-being, self-image, and conduct of a kid, or any individual for that matter, may be negatively impacted by cyberbullying via the use of the internet. what steps should be taken? Put parental controls on your children’s electronic devices, limiting the amount of time they can spend using them and maybe restricting the websites they can access, if you have children living in your house. Encourage children to be in places of the house that are available to everyone so that you can keep an eye on them and take action if they are encountering certain kinds of communication that is damaging or undesirable. It is normally preferable not to engage the individual who is putting out such rudeness since it is likely to increase and continue. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from responding to the inappropriate conduct of the bully. One of the primary purposes of this kind of activity is to attract attention. Should you provide the offender with the attention that they seek, it is quite possible that they will continue to engage in the activity and even intensify it. Taking screenshots of the behavior can help you record it in the event that you need to report it. If required, this will be helpful in reporting the incident to the authorities or to the school. When it comes to taking screenshots, several technological equipment use a variety of distinct methods. When you Google “screen shot” and your device, you should be able to find a video or website that provides instructions. It goes without saying that you are able to snap a picture of the screen by using a camera or a separate phone. You should make sure that everything is shown on the screen, including the times and dates, the text and photographs, the handles, and the usernames. obstruct the individual in question. For any reason, the majority of applications and smartphones have the capability to block a caller, texter, or “friend” on social media. This may be done for any cause. In the event that the perpetrator is a member of your school or the school that your kid attends, you should report the conduct as well as the individual as quickly as possible. It could be preferable to write an email to the school, considering that it is possible that the school will not answer their phones since there are so many schools that are closed at the moment. The documents that you have acquired should be included. It is possible to submit a complaint with the Department of Justice by sending an email to education@usdoj.gov; but, you should be aware that they are getting hundreds of complaints or more, and it is probable that you will obtain more rapid aid from your local community. You should speak to your kid and encourage them to communicate their thoughts about the conduct in an open and non-judgmental manner. This is possibly the most crucial thing about the situation. This website, which is known as common sense media, provides a lot of guidance on how to be safe when using different social media applications, including Snapchat, Tiktok, Facebook, and Instagram. The best way to browse through such guidance is to direct your web browser to https://www.commonsensemedia.org/. Once there, place your cursor over the “parents need to know” page, and then choose the subject that is of special interest from the drop-down menu shown. I have no doubt that we are living in fascinating times. Moreover, they are unquestionably difficult! But if we are willing to put in a little bit of effort, a little bit of observation, and a little bit of listening, we can turn this period into a time when connections are strengthened rather than a time when abuse is ramped up. Steve Burgess is a freelance technology writer, a practicing computer forensics and e-discovery specialist, and an expert witness as the principal of Burgess Forensics. Additionally, he is a contributor to the text, scientific evidence in civil and criminal cases, 5th edition, which was written by moenssens, et al. Please visit our website at http://www.burgessforensics.com or send an email to steve@burgessforensics.com to get in touch with Mr. Burgess.