Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 134 Research Article Cyber-bullying of Children: Impacts and Deterrent Measures in India Naveen Kumar1& Madhusmita Ronghangpi2 1Associate Professor, Department of Law, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya Email: naveenkr77@gmail.com 2Research Scholar, Department of Law, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya Abstract With technological advancement, the use of the internet has also impacted the lives of children as they can connect with people around the world through social media platforms, emails, etc., with one click of a button. These also negatively impact their lives as they are vulnerable to more criminal offences. One of such offences against children is cyberbullying or online bullying. It is a form of bullying that intentionally harms the reputation and privacy of any person and threatens and harasses through the electronic medium. However, bullying is a problem that has existed in society since time immemorial. However, cyber bullying is a recent and more severe form of bullying than the traditional physical and verbal bullying; as the impact of such crime lasts long in the lives of children. The paper aims to introduce the concept of cyberbullying, its types, reasons, and psychological effects on children. It also covers the legal provisions available under the Criminal Laws and Information Technology Act for cyberbullying related to protection of children in India. It also discusses cyberbullying laws prevailing in the U.K. and U.S.A. This Article highlights the initiatives and strategies taken by the Government, Schools, etc. to deal with such bullying in India. Keywords: Cyberbullying, Children, Intention, Criminal law, Cyber law, Strategies, Government, School. Introduction TECHNOLOGY has advanced over time, and the internet has significantly impacted every aspect of people’s lives, especially that of children. A child is any person below eighteen years of age unless any law stating otherwise applies to a child below eighteen years of age (Article 1, the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child). Electronic communications, such as email, social media platforms, etc., have influenced the lives of children. They are the ones who make use of internet sites for sharing thoughts, photos, videos, personal information, etc. Thus, these populations are vulnerable and weaker to crimes in cyberspace. Among the grave crimes against children, bullying ha6s affected a high percentage of them. Bullying is defined as an “intentional and aggressive behaviour” that frequently take place against a victim because of a “real or perceived power imbalance” between the victim and the bully, and the victim sense “vulnerable and powerless to defend himself or herself” (U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, n.d.). However, with the advent of technology, bullying has emerged as a new form, i.e., Cyber bullying or online bullying. It is a cybercrime which is more dangerous than traditional crime. This kind of bullying is an intentional act Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 135 that happens through the internet or electronic device by posting or sending untrue or derogatory information about someone to assassinate one’s reputation. In contrast to traditional bullying, the bully chooses to remain anonymous in cyber bullying. It can affect children regardless of age, gender, ability, race, etc. Recently, it has become one of the persuasive problems in India. Therefore, many guidelines/ rules/conduct/ethical codes have been framed in India to punish bullies and protect the victims. Objectives of the study The objectives of the study are as follows: 1. To study cyber bullying, including the types, effects and causes. 2. To examine the statutory laws in the U.S.A., the U.K., and India concerning cyber crimes especially cyber bullying. 3. To comprehend the initiatives of the Government, schools and parents about cyberbullying. Research Questions 1. What is the concept of cyber bullying and its effect and causes? 2. What are the statutory laws available in the U.S.A., the U.K. and India to tackle cyber crimes, especially cyber bullying? 3. What are the initiatives of the Government of India, schools and Parents to tackle cyber bullying? Methodology The methodology is based on the doctrinal method. The research method includes both descriptive and analytical research methods. The research is intended to analyze cyber bullying and different laws in the U.S.A., the U.K. and India concerning cybercrimes, mainly to deal with cyber bullying. The data is collected from National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) to analyze the cybercrimes against children from 2017 to 2020. The different initiatives of the Government of India, schools and parents to deal with cyber bullying are also studied. Meaning and Concept of Cyber bullying The term “cyber bullying” was first coined by  Bill Belsey. (Shivashankar & Rajan, 2018). He defined it as the use of information and communication technologies by an individual or group of people to behave in a deliberate and hostile manner with the intention to harm others (Shivashankar & Rajan, 2018). Different definitions of cyberbullying are discussed below: Cyber bullying is “bullying with the use of digital technologies’ ‘ inflicted through social platforms, emails, online gaming platforms, and mobiles (UNICEF, 2019). It was first used in 1998 and is defined as the “anonymous posting of mean- spirited messages’’ about someone on electronic platforms (Peled, 2019) It is also defined as “bullying” through online devices such as mobile phones, computers and tablets (Stopbullying, 2021). It also means ``willful and repeated harm” through computers, mobiles and other electronic media (Cyberbullying Research Center, 2014). Such bullying uses electronic technology to “repeatedly and intentionally ‘’ threaten, harass, and embarrass another person (Pacer, 2019). It is when one “repeatedly and intentionally” maltreats or harasses any person through online electronic devices online or cell phones (Patchin, 2019). Cyber bullies are considered to be the people who would harass any person online. Such bullying includes incidents like “harass someone online by shaming, embarrassing, degrading or humiliating them, impersonating Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 136 someone online, making threats to physically harm another person, threatening to kill someone, posting or texting something obscene, stalking someone digitally, committing hate crimes based on race, gender, sexual orientation or religion, etc.” (Gordon, 2021). Different types of Cyberbullying According to (K.Watts, JessycaWagner, BenitoVelasquez, & I.Behrens, 2017), there are seven types of cyber bullying: Flaming, Online harassment, Cyber stalking, Denigration, Masquerading, Trickery and outing, and Exclusion (Peled, 2019). The types of cyber bullying are: a. Flaming are impudent or obscene messages or posts sent to attack any person. (Blog Securly, 2018) b. Harassment is any online threatening or derogatory message sent with a wilful intention to attack someone. (Kids Safety Kaspersky, 2015) c. Cyber stalking is any online monitoring of someone and threatening to send harmful messages to that person. (Peled, 2019) d. Denigration is any false or derogatory criticism messages about a particular person or others. (Blog Securly, 2018) e. Masquerading is cyber bullying, where a cyberbully impersonates someone else and sends or posts any harmful or threatening statement about a particular person or others. (Blog Securly, 2018) f. Outings cyberbullying, where a cyberbully directly reveals private or sensitive information about someone without consent. (Blog Securly, 2018) g. Trickery is cyberbullying, where a cyberbully uses tricks to befriend an individual and deceive him/her by sharing his/her private or sensitive information. (Blog Securly, 2018) h. Exclusion is cyberbullying, where someone is left out of an online group intentionally to target that excluded particular someone. (Blog Securly, 2018) i. Fraping is cyberbullying, where the bully impersonates someone else on an online platform to bully others by posting hurtful messages. (Peled, 2019) (Kids Safety Kaspersky, 2015) j. Trolling is cyberbullying, where a cyberbully with malicious and harmful intentions posts any inflammatory statement about someone. (Blog Securly, 2018) Causes of Cyberbullying Cyberbullies target weaker or more vulnerable people than them. It aims at threatening, harassing or shaming. Many children indulge or fall prey to such cyberbullying because of many reasons, such as - a. peer pressure of acceptance among their groups; b. lack of supervision and intervention of the families; c. the improper school environment; d. lack of empathy; e. hunger of power; f. thought of revenge; g. intolerance concerning faith, gender, race, colour, etc.; (Note, Padegett, & Roden, 2013) h. anger and jealousy issues; i. Relationship problems, etc. Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 137 Other additional reasons for cyberbully- ing include animosity, killing boredom, provocation, etc. (Chandra, 2018). Effects of cyberbullying on children Cyberbullying inflicts emotional stress on the victim to face such humiliation on such electronic platforms. Cyberbullying is a traumatic experience that impacts children academically, socially, and emotionally (Punte, 2018). The victims’ stress and strain lead them to take drugs, omit going to go school and escaping from home (Schoen & Schoen, 2010). Cyberbullying leads to severe psychological effects like depression, suicidal tendencies and low self-esteem (King, 2019). One of the most crucial importance in the lives of children is peer acceptance. As a result, when such peers don’t include them and cyberbully them, these negatively impact the victim, like emotional stress, frustration, anger, and envy (King, 2019). These dynamic effects also affect the victim’s social, academic and family relationships. Cyberbullying differs from traditional bullying, but its impact is also more severe and long-lasting. Because in online media, any hurtful comments or blogs remain indefinitely until and unless it is not complaint to the competent authority. Every time the victims see it, they emotionally break down. Furthermore, when such online bullying goes unpunished, it can provoke the victim to take revenge against the cyberbullies, making it worse. Therefore, victims and perpetrators are more likely to commit criminal offences (King, 2019). For this reason, cyberbullying is a  hassle  with lasting aftermaths for the victim, people  involved and society at large. Legal provisions penalizing Cyberbullying U.S.A. & U.K. and India 1. Statutory laws in the U.S.A.: The U.S.A. has enacted many laws on cybercrimes, and nearly all the states within the U.S.A. have passed laws thereon. The suicide of American teenager Megan Taylor Mier in the U.S.A. resulted in the need for Cyberbullying control laws (Merdith, 2010) In the aftermath of the incident, the case of (United States v. Lori Drew, 2009) took place, where the court gave the judgment of the acquittal of the accused, as his actions were morally reprehensible in the act of bullying Megan. Moreover, there is no law at the time that specifically prohibited her behaviour and does not justify stretching the intentions and language of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 (CFAA) to convict her of a crime. As. Hence, the bill was proposed under the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act (Cyberbullying Prevention Act), H.R. 1966, 111Ith Cong. (2009), but the Act was not passed. Other laws for cybercrimes in the U.S.A., such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 (CFAA) (18 U.S.C. § 1030, a cyber-security law to protect computers from fraud), the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 1996 (NIIPA) and the Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) (Hosani, Yousef, Shaima, & Farkhund, 2019). In addition, the other laws that protect the victims from online scams and privacy are the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 (CANSPAM) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), respectively. (Hosani, Yousef, Shaima, & Farkhund, 2019) The other two major federal laws deal with cyber harassment, including cyberbullying and cyber stalking, viz., the Interstate Communications Act of 2012 and the Interstate Stalking and Prevention Act of 1996. The Interstate Communications Act of 2012 (18 Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 138 U.S. Code § 875) defined interstate communications as any person who intentionally transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to harm a person or property, damage a person’s reputation, or kidnap a person. The Interstate Anti-Stalking Punishment and Prevention Act of 1996 (18 U.S. Code § 2261A) defined stalking as anyone who uses any electronic communication technology places anyone in reasonable fear of death or serious injury or causes emotional distress to a person. (Hosani, Yousef, Shaima, & Farkhund, 2019) 2. Statutory laws in the U.K.: Bullying is not a specific criminal offence in the U.K. law. The laws applied to cyberbullying are the Protection from Harassment Act, 1997 and the Protection of Freedom Act, 2012. In these two Acts cyber stalking offences have been defined as online monitoring of someone, spying on someone, etc. Different laws that can assist in punishing cyberbullies are the Obscene Publications Act, 1959; the Public Order Act, 1986; the Malicious Communication Act, 1988; the Computer Misuse Act, 1990; Communication Acts, 2003; Crime and Disorder Act, 1998; and Defamation Act, 2013. (Hosani, Yousef, Shaima, & Farkhund, 2019). S. 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act, 1997 states that if the harassment behaviour is conducted on at least two occasions and it is causing fear of violence to a person, then the guilty person under this section may be punished with up to five years imprisonment, a fine, or both. (Hosani, Yousef, Shaima, & Farkhund, 2019). The Education and Inspections Act, 2006 states that schools are responsible for providing a healthy and secure environment and should be against all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying. The above mentioned laws can be applied in cyberbullying and stalking cases in many ways. 3. Statutory laws in India: The legislation enacted to govern cybercrime in India is the Information Technology (I.T.) Act, 2000. The provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (I.P.C.) also penalizes for the cybercrimes. The special act enacted to penalize the crimes against children is the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. i. Information Technology Act (I.T. Act), 2000: The provisions of the I.T. Act to punish cyber crimes against children are mentioned below: Section. 66A of I.T. Act deals with sending offensive messages through the communication services etc. are punishable under this act, and section, which has been struck down by Supreme Court’s Order dated 24 March 2015 in the (Shreya Shinghal v. Union of India, 2015). S. 66C of the I.T. Act penalizes any person for theft of another person’s identity to misuse or malign. S. 66D of the I.T. Act deals with any impersonation or personation by using computer resources. S. 66E of the I.T. Act states the punishment for Privacy infringement. S. 67 of the I.T. Act states the punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. S. 67A of the I.T. Act deals with punishment for publishing and transmitting any sexually explicit act material through electronic media. S. 67B of the I.T. Act deals with any depiction of children in any sexually explicit act in an electronic form or publishing or transmitting in any form. S. 72 of the I.T. Act deals with any breach of confidentiality or Privacy in any form using electronic media. ii. Indian Penal Code (I.P.C.), 1860: The provisions of I.P.C. concerning punishment for the cybercrimes against children are mentioned below: Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 139 An amendment to the I.P.C. by the Criminal (Amendment) Act, 2013, has included stalking, sexual harassment and stalking in general through electronic means in Ss. 354A and 354D of I.P.C., respectively. S. 463 of I.P.C. provides the meaning of forgery that includes the false document or electronic record. S.465 of I.P.C. provides the punishment for forgery. S. 469 of I.P.C. deals with the punishment for forgery to harm reputation. S. 471 of I.P.C. deals with using a genuine forged document or electronic record. S. 499 of I.P.C. deals with defamation by sending defamatory messages through electronic means to assassinate someone to harm another person’s reputation; S. 500 of I.P.C. deals with the punishment for defamation. S. 503 of I.P.C. deals with criminal intimidation by sending any harmful or threatening messages to anyone through electronic media. S. 506 of I.P.C. deals with the punishment of criminal intimidation, which also includes the intimidation is to cause death or grievous hurt or destruction of property to impute unchastity to a woman. S. 507 of I.P.C. which deals with criminal intimidation through anonymous communication. S. 509 of I.P.C. deals with the punishment for any act to offend the modesty of a woman. iii. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012: The provisions of the POCSO Act to punish the cybercrimes against children are mentioned below: S. 11 of the POCSO Act deal with the sexual harassment against children, and S. 12 of the POCSO Act provides the punishment for sexual harassment. S. 13 of the POCSO Act deals with the use of a child for pornographic purposes, and S.14 of POCSO  Act provides the punishment for using the child for pornographic purposes. National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) Data on Cyber Crime against children Every year NCRB publishes data on crimes in India. The Data on cybercrime against children is provided below Table-1: Crimes against Children (Crime Head-wise & State/UT-wise) – 2017 -2019 Year Total Inci- dence of Cyber Crimes/ Infor- mation tech- nology Act* Total Incidence of POCSO r/w Sec.376,354, 509 IPC [Section 12 of POCSO Act r/w Section 509IPC] ** Incidence of POCSO r/w Sec.376,354, 509 IPC [Section 14 & 15of POCSO Act or POCSO Act] 2017 79 1329 374 2018 117 1686 812 2019 164 1917 1114 2020 842 1672 584 NB: *Total of A) Publishing or Transmitting of material depicting children in the sexually explicit act and B) Other Cyber Crimes against Children. **Includes both incidences against boys and girls. Source: NCRB Data Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 140 Chart-1: Crimes against Children (Crime Head-wise & State/UT-wise) – 2017 -2019 Discussion: Chart 1 represents the crimes against Children in India under the following head, i.e., the I.T. Act, POCSO Act (Sec 12, 14 &15) as per NCRB data. The chart denoting those crimes against children increased from 2017 to 2020. It can be observed that it is high time to take such crimes seriously, and strategies must be taken to combat such crimes. Table-2: Cyber Crimes against Children (State/UT-wise) 2017-2020 Year Cyber Blackmailing/ Threatening/ Harassment (Sec.506,503, 384 IPC r/w IT Act Fake Profile (I.T. Act r/w IPC/ SLL) Cyber Pornography/ Publishing Obscene Sexual Materials portraying children (Sec.67B of I.T. Act r/w other IPC/ SLL) Cyber Stalking/ Bullying (Sec 354 D I.P.C. r/w I.T. Act) Internet Crimes through Online Games etc. (Sec.305 IPC r/w I.T. Act) Other Cyber Crimes against children Total* 2017 1 3 7 7 0 70 88 2018 4 3 44 40 0 141 232 2019 3 1 101 45 1 153 305 2020 3 1 738 140 0 220 1102 NB: * All the cybercrimes included in the table come under the preview of Cyberbullying Source: NCRB data Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 141 Chart-2: Cyber Crimes against Children (State/UT-wise) 2017-2020 Discussion: Chart 2 represents cybercrimes against children in India as per NCRB data. The chart denotes that the crimes have increased from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, the cybercrimes against children were the highest in India, i.e., 1102. It can be observed from the above mentioned laws in India that they do not explicitly define cyberbullying. However, the different acts of cyberbullying are penalized under different sections under those above mentioned laws. Cybercrimes against children are analyzed in chart 2 from the data available in the NCRB report, which shows that cases are increasing with time. Therefore, it is high time that guidelines/rules/legislation must be issued and framed by the Government of India for the safety and security of the children. The Government must take the initiative to introduce a chapter on cyberbullying, its impact, and legal provisions in the school books to educate them about the legal consequences. The teachers must teach the school students manners to behave in the cyber world. The educational authorities/ schools must issue guidelines on spreading awareness on cyberbullying. Parents should understand the severe effects of cyberbullying. They should also monitor the children’s activities in cyberspace and teach them about the laws and punishments. The N.G.O.s/ private organizations/legal advocates/child psychologists/ law enforcement agencies must take the initiative to teach both parents and children about cyberbullying and create awareness about its ill-effects. It should be underlined that youngsters are experiencing a lot of mental problems as a result of this type of bullying, which causes them to consider suicidal options. Therefore, it is imperative that the Government of India strictly enforce and carry out the laws. Some incidents and cases of Cyberbullying in the Indian Scenario In Ritika Sharma’s case (name changed), she was a student of a renowned Delhi School. She was stalked by a Facebook friend with whom she shared personal and sensitive information and her number with that online friend. She also unfriended that online friend on Facebook. But later on, it was found that the person used her photo, personal information and number to make a fake profile. The Delhi Police registered the case of cyberbullying. Aftermath, the Delhi Police launched cyber safety awareness in schools and suggested students avoid sharing personal and sensitive information on Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 142 online social media sites. (Tomer, 2021) (Shivashankar & Rajan, 2018) In the Ritu Kohli case filed a complaint to the Delhi Police that a person was using her identity and sharing her number on the website www.mirc.com. The case was registered under S. 509 of I.P.C. This is the first cyber stalking case in India. (Tomer, 2021) (Shivashankar & Rajan, 2018) In the case (Prakhar Sharma v. The State of Madhya Pradesh, 2018), the guilty was charged under Ss. 66C and 67/67A of the I.T. Act. He downloaded the victim’s photo from Facebook and uploaded her pictures with a fake Facebook account. (Bhonsle & Krishnamurthy, 2021) In the case (Sazzadur Rahman v. The State of Assam and Ors., 2019), the guilty created a fake profile on Facebook of the victim, aged 15 years. The accused also uploaded photos and posted status to degrade the victim’s image. The trial court rejected the application of the guilty. Again, an application to quash the trial court order was filed in the Gauhati High Court, which was dismissed. (Bhonsle & Krishnamurthy, 2021) In the case (Jitendra Singh Grewal v. The State of West Bengal, 2018), the guilty created a fake profile on Facebook and uploaded obscene photos. The guilty were charged under Ss. 354A, 354D, 500, 507and 509 of I.P.C. and S. 67A of the I.T. Act. The Calcutta High Court also rejected his bail application. (Bhonsle & Krishnamurthy, 2021) In the case (Subham Bansal v. The State (Govt. of NCT Delhi), 2018), the guilty created a fake profile in Facebook in the victim’s name and uploaded her mobile number. He was charged under S. 66A of the I.T. Act and S. 609 of I.PC. The Delhi High Court refused his application to drop the charges. (Bhonsle & Krishnamurthy, 2021) In the case (Hareesh v. State of Kerala, 2020), the guilty created a fake profile on Facebook and uploaded obscene photos. He was charged under S. 354D of I.P.C. and S. 67 and 67E of the I.T. Act. The guilty filed anticipatory bail but was rejected by the Kerala High Court. (Bhonsle & Krishnamurthy, 2021) In the case of (State of West Bengal v. Animesh Boxi, 2017), Boxi was charged with Sections 354A, 354C, 354D, and 509 of I.P.C. and Sections 66C, 66E and 67/67Aof I.T. Act. He was sentenced to an imprisonment of 5 years with a fine of Rs. 9,000. He was guilty of transmitting pictures of his former girlfriend’ images and videos on the internet. The Mumbai Police registered a cyberbullying case against Pooja Bedi under S.12 of the POCSO Act and Ss. 500, 506 and 509 of I.P.C. in December 2014. She was involved in the incidents of cyberbullying with her daughter against the granddaughter of Ramanand Sagar. However, the police did not register the case under the sections of the I.T. Act, 2000, as amended in 2008. (Sayed, 2014) Recently, the Delhi Police arrested boys connected with the ‘bois locker room’ in 2020. This ‘bois locker room’ was an Instagram group created to share photos of minor girls. (F.P. Staff, 2020) Initiatives to tackle Cyberbullying in India The impact of cyberbullying can only end with the efforts of the Government, schools and parents. The initiatives taken in India to tackle cyberbullying are as follows: 1. Initiatives by Government Different initiatives taken by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Home Affairs (M.H.A.) and University Grant Commission (U.G.C.) are discussed below: Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 143 i. Ministry of Women and Child Development With the rising cases of cybercrime against children as per NCRB data of 2019, some steps were taken to tackle cybercrime against children given by the Ministry of women and Child Development (Government of India, 2021): a. Section 67B of I.T. Act, 2000 is the legal provision to punish the offender that published or transmitted any material portraying children in the sexually explicit act; and Section 354A and 354D of I.P.C. are the legal provisions adopted to punish for cyber bullying and cyber stalking. b. “Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules,2021” issued under the I.T. Act, which specifies to brief computer users not to upload, circulate, publish, or transmit any obscene information pornographic material that is or can harm a minor. c. The Government has also blocked the website of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) as per the INTERPOL’s list received through the Central Bureau of Investigation (C.B.I.). d. The Government has also directed orders to Internet Service Providers (I.S.P.s) to receive Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a U.K. list of CSAM websites or web pages and blocked child pornography websites or web pages. e. All Internet Service Providers (I.S.P.s), under the order of the Department of Telecommunication, must make arrangements to spread awareness among the subscribers about parental control filters. f. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also issued guidelines for safe and effective internet use on 18 August 2017. g. The Government has also implemented the “Centre for Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC)” to check cyber crimes against them. h. The Government has launched the “National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal”, www.cybercrime.gov.in, to report cybercrimes complaints against women and children. To file cybercrime complaints, this portal provides a “1552600” helpline number. i. The Government has also issued “A handbook for Adolescents/Students on Cyber Safety” to educate children about the cyber world and cybercrimes. j. The Government has also taken measures to spread awareness about cybercrimes, improve cyber forensic facilities, and provide necessary training to law enforcement agents, etc. k. The Government has also implemented the “Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)” scheme. ii. Ministry of Home Affairs (M.H.A.) The M.H.A. has issued a handbook, i.e., “A Handbook for Adolescents/ Students on Cyber Safety”, especially for children above 13 years or younger to understand the cyber world. (Government of India, 2018). It also helps the children to understand the cyber threats and safeguards to prevent such cybercrimes. It also helps the children to be more responsible and careful while using electronic platforms such as email, etc. Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 144 iii. U.G.C. Regulations U.G.C. has issued regulations, i.e., “U.G.C. Regulation on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Education Institutions, 2009,” for the colleges and universities to follow the anti- ragging regulations (Shalini, 2019). The regulations described above were also initiated to stop bullying. 2. Initiatives by School Schools must address cyberbullying seriously, as children are more vulnerable to such crime (Beghin, 2020). Such cyberbullying can be managed when knowledge is shared with school staff. In schools, teachers can play the most vital role in managing cyber bully. They should educate the students regarding cyber security to feel safe. They should promote a positive classroom environment and positive relationships with the students (A.S.O. Staff Writers, 2021). They must teach them digital etiquette in using such online platforms. Students have to learn how to be responsible in interacting online. Teachers should educate students on appropriate and resilient behaviour to prevent cyberbullying. School authorities must issue directives regarding training in how to handle cyberbullying complaints of the students. School authorities should organize programs and curricula for cyber safety in school. Also, schools collaborate with the families of the students to keep the students safe from cyber threats. Schools can also offer classes to the parents to spread awareness about cyber safety (Miller, Thompson, & Pomy, 2009). i. Guidelines by CBSE to deal with Cyberbullying CBSE issued guidelines for safe and effective internet use in schools and school buses on 18 August 2017 (CBSE Guidelines, 2017). This guideline pro- vides cyber safety awareness to pro- tect students from falling prey to cyber threats like cyberbullying, fraud, etc. The guidelines direct the schools to take measures to inform students of any ille- gal activities of the I.T. enabled devices. The guidelines also prohibit unsecured and unmonitored use of any electronic device in school. 3. Initiatives by Parents Positive and constructive parenting practices help to prevent cyber threats like cyberbullying. Positive parenting is important to nurture, empower, and encourage, etc., the child (Hinduja & Patchin, 2022). The aspects of positive parenting help to increase the healthy relationship with the child socially and emotionally. The implications of such positive practices can help to build strong parent and child relationships, and such mechanisms also help to prevent cyberbullying (Hinduja & Patchin, 2022). Parents must be aware of their children’s activity on online platforms. Parents should monitor the child’s activity on social media websites, online games, etc. (Woda, 2018). With all these efforts, parents can help prevent their children from cyberbullying at home and other places. Conclusion Technological advancement comes with a boon and bane. Bane is the evolution of traditional crimes into cybercrimes in the cyber world. Cybercrimes are severe threats to children. Among the cybercrimes, cyberbullying is a significant social problem for children. Cyberbullied children suffer from so many severe psychological issues. Such bullying disturbs the children’s everyday lives with stress, anxiety, etc., because they are fragile to handle such online harassment. The children need proper help and Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2023 145 guidance from their parents to deal with emotional and psychological problems. The parents have to understand their children. They should monitor them and support them to help them face such suffering so that the children don’t take a step like suicide. Then comes the role of the school to take appropriate measures to combat such crimes and help the students to handle such cyber threats. Spreading awareness of the cyber world and cyber threats is the first step the school can educate the students. The school teachers must be provided with guidance to tackle cyberbullying claims of the students. Moreover, the nation’s lawmakers also play an important role in making stringent laws to punish cyberbullies. In India, the Parliament has enacted I.T. Act to punish cyber crimes against children. Also, the I.P.C. and POCSO Act include provisions to deal with cybercrimes against children. The Ministry of Women and Children and the Ministry of Home Affairs have issued guidelines for cyberbullying and cybercrime against children. However, as NCRB data shows that cybercrimes against children are increasing from year to year, therefore, we can observe that the laws and regulations which are available at present are not enough to deal with cybercrimes. References A.S.O. Staff Writers. (2021). Cyberbullying in School: Prevetion and Support. Retrieved from Accredited Schools Online: https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/cyberbully- ing-prevention-and-support/ Beghin, H. (2020). 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