DEPUTY Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Pinky Kekana, has called on parents to reinforce the message of zero tolerance towards bullying in their homes.
“Let’s not assume that our children are completely innocent always. Make sure they know how cyber bullying feels by instilling empathy and empowering them to make good choices. You will reduce the likelihood that they will engage in this damaging behaviour,” Kekana said.
Addressing a webinar on the impact of cyberbullying among the youth last week, she advised parents to teach children to be responsible digitals citizens by not posting content that could have a negative consequence for others.
Related story: Cabinet raises concern over bullying incidents
The webinar took place after recent incidents of bullying at Mbilwi Secondary School in Thohoyandou, Limpopo; Dinwiddie High School in Germiston, Gauteng and Mathole High School in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to Kekana the last statistical data revealed that South Africa was at 88 per cent and the fourth in the world of being aware of cyber bullying behind Chile, Italy and Sweden.
“This means that South Africans have a good understanding of cyber bullying, which is defined as a form of harassment in digital communications mediums, such as text messages, internet forums, chatrooms and social media.”
“As opposed to real life bullying, online bullying takes advantage of the anonymity of the internet, as well as the possibility to quickly spread rumours, gossip or misinformation to large groups of people,” Kekana said.
In other bullying related news: #LufunoMavhunga: Girl (15) to remain in custody ‘for her own safety’
She added cyber bullying can affect the victim their entire lives, as it has psychological effects.
According to the South African College of Applied Psychology, more than 60 per cent of children and adolescents surveyed in South Africa agreed that cyber bullying is worse than bullying face-to-face.
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