Cyberbullying: A Study of Causes, Implications and Mitigation

Cyberbullying across the globe, and in India specifically, is a complex issue and warrants more attention than it receives. It has multiple dimensions including, but not limited to: public health, technology, education and justice. Thus, the solution lies in an inter-disciplinary and multi-dimensional approach to tackling the problem. Targeting solely one of the many aspects would slightly lessen but not effectively mitigate the severity of cyberbullying. Even within any one of the given facets of cyberbullying, questions arise as to the scope or definition of cyberbullying. What constitutes bullying or intimidating a person online? And where does the fine boundary separating the right to freedom of speech and cyberbullying come into consideration? This paper offers an analysis of cyberbullying in the youth of India aged between 13-25 years. The results procured from a survey conducted across 11 cities in India have been linked to psychological causes and implications of cyberbullying. The resulting analyses and conclusions have been studied and further, an investigation to several mitigation techniques combined for implementation on social media platforms that can contribute towards the mitigation of cyberbullying worldwide. The effective implementation of social, policy-related solutions, in harmony with a mathematical, formula-based approach can be used to diminish the potential harm caused by cyberbullying.