1 Modified : November 05,2014

According to Google Trends, the fourth highest searching country worldwide forCyber
bullying is the Philippines. According to the report mentioned here, the term was
searched for extensively all through 2013, this goes to show how Cyber Bullying in the
Philippines in becoming an issue

It may be due to the fact that the anti bullying act of 2013 has been finally signed in the
country, finally criminalizing acts of bullying and Cyber Bullying in the Philippines.
The anti bullying act dictates that Within 6 months, elementary and secondary schools
are expected to come-up with their strategies, policies and procedure relative to the
implementation of the anti-bullying act of 2013 It also dictates that the Department of
Education must come up with implementing rules and regulations related to preventing
all types of bullying.
The act defines bullying as a severe or repeated use of physical act or gesture, written or
electronic expression or combination thereof resulting to Fear, physical, emotional harm,
damage to property, creation of hostile environment and infringement of rights of another
student.
It lists acts of bullying as physical bullying, social bullying, verbal bullying and cyber
bullying
The law requires schools to come-up with policies defining and prohibiting Bullying
inside school premises as well as Bullying outside school premises (cyberbullying)
resulting to the definition above and to look out for acts of retaliation against person who
reports bullying incidents or bullies.
This law comes after the state had passed the The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,
officially recorded as Republic Act No. 10175, which aims to criminalize legal issues
concerning online interactions and the Internet in the Philippines. Among the cybercrime
offenses included in the bill are cybersquatting, cybersex, child pornography, identity
theft, illegal access to data and online defamation of character, all in effort to end Cyber
Bullying in the Philippines.
Cyber bullying is generally defined as bullying tactics used against an individual using
the internet, cell phones or other technologies.
Cyber bullying differs from conventional bullying in that the harassment or torment is not
done in the victims physical presence.
Cyber bullying facts provided by sites such as www.dosomething.com show us that cyber
bullying is done virtually by means of social media sites, gaming sites, chat rooms and
text messaging. Although there is no physical abuse involved, cyber bullying has proven
to be just as emotionally damaging to victims as physical bullying. Many believe that
cyber bullying is more emotionally damaging because the bully has unlimited access to
their victims. One of the best ways to counteract cyber bullying is to educate yourself
concerning cyber bullying facts.
So what are the most noted effects of cyber bullying, when it happens?
In a survey conducted by www.stopcyberbullying.org, victims of Cyber bullying
responded in the following methods:
Thirty-six percent asked the bully to stop.
Thirty-four percent blocked communication.
Thirty-four percent talked to friends about the bullying.
Twenty-nine percent did nothing about the bullying.
Twenty-eight percent signed offline.
Only 11 percent of teens talked to parents about incidents of Cyber bullying.
Kids that are bullied are more likely to skip school in an effort to avoid having to
encounter their nemesis and experience the emotional, psychological and physical effects
of being bullied. It is estimated that as many as 160,000 students skip school nationally
on any given day out of fear of facing a bully that has, in some way, been terrorizing
them.
Bullied kids are more likely to get sick. Children who are being bullied are more likely to
report feeling sick with some common symptoms being sore throat, cough, headache,
stomach ache, and stuffy nose.
Bullied Teens are more likely to use alcohol as a coping mechanism which normally
causes the teen to become more aggressive toward others. It is not uncommon for a child
that was bullied in middle school or high school to ultimately become a bully later on in
the academic process. Many kids that are bullies in college were bullied in middle school
and high school.
Long Term Effects of Being Bullied
People who were bullied as children are more likely to develop psychological issues as
adults. Children who were bullied from the 6th-9th grade are more likely to become
depressed by the time they reach the age of 23. Also, people who have memories of being
teased as a child are more likely to experience depression, pathological perfectionism,
social anxiety, and a greater neurotic ism in their adult years.
People who were bullied during their childhood years are more likely to be bullied in the
workplace. Unfortunately, many people who were victimized as children in a school
environment often find themselves being the victim of workplace bullying as well. If fact,
nearly 60% of people that are bullied at work admit to having been bullied as a child.
Why should you be worried about Cyber Bullying?
Because it has short and long term effects.
Because once anything is online, it is very hard to erase it or remove it.
Because with the advent of social media networks, any negative comment or post is
widely shared among others in a matter of minutes which multiplies the negative effects
on the victim in no time.
Can Cyber Bullying be prevented or avoided?
Yes it can, all you need to do is install kindness and good citizenships wherever you go,
encourage your mates, friends, colleagues and community members to spread positive
remarks and comments and to not be a bystander when they see any cyber bullying act.