Fighting Cyberbullying in 6 Steps from the Police

"Fighting cyberbullyingWithin the scope of ”, citizens were asked to hide their evidence in case they do not respond to friend, follow or message requests from people they do not know and if they experience victimization.

The Department of Combating Cybercrime of the General Directorate of Security asked citizens not to respond to friendship, follow-up or message requests from people they do not know, and to hide their evidence if they experience victimization.

Cyberbullying, which is defined as a person's intentionally and regularly disturbing, harming, hurting or intimidating another person through digital platforms, digital environments and social media channels, has recently been seen especially among young people.

Cyberbullying, which has become a situation that both parents and young people should be careful about, is considered a crime in some cases.

Fighting against cyberbullying, the Department of Combating Cybercrime of the General Directorate of Security carries out information and awareness activities through posters, billboards and brochures, in addition to the seminars and training given in various institutions and schools, especially the SİBERAY project.

In this context, the units fighting against cybercrime, reached 2021 million 1 thousand 301 people in 425 and 4 million 673 thousand 777 people this year, warned against crimes committed in the virtual world, especially cyberbullying, and informed them about the measures to be taken.

According to the information given by the police units, posting disturbing images of another person on social media, creating and spreading false or fabricated news about them, leaking private or confidential information, sending threatening messages, using insulting expressions, harassing anonymous accounts, causing discomfort. Taking over their accounts, making inappropriate posts from these accounts, following them persistently, or making deliberate negative comments on their posts are counted as cyberbullying.

When cyberbullying is encountered, it is necessary to terminate the communication with the offending person, to restrict access by making the accounts protected, and to tell the people or family you trust if it persists.

In the briefings, which emphasize that cyberbullying is not a problem to be ignored, the methods of combating cyberbullying are listed in six important steps:

• Do not respond to friend, follow or message requests from people or people you do not know.
• Do not respond to the cyberbully and do not retaliate.
• Report and block the cyberbully on the relevant social media platform.
• If children are being cyberbullied, share it with your family.
• Keep the evidence of the victimized situations.
• If you are under the age of 18, apply with your parents, if you are over the age of 18, contact the public prosecutor's office, the Police or the Gendarmerie.