With the world fast becoming one global village, internet has provided a unifying site for people from different places.  Social chatting platforms such as facebook, watssap, twitter and instagram, among others, are just some of the communication channels that have evolved where users chat and share photos. Unfortunately, undesirable practices such as cyber bullying are emerging and dubious characters are using internet as a ground for blackmail.

Latest research shows that such cyber bullies target over half of the world’s teenagers and experts have warned that with Rwanda being a hub for ICT growth, students are not any safer. The Meriam Webster dictionary defines cyber bullying as the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person often done anonymously.

Aphrodice Mutangana, a software developer at Klab, explains that unlike physical bullying, cyber bullying cannot easily be recognised by parents or authorities to help victimised individuals.

"You realise that someone will just post nagging comments on your wall because he or she hates you. There is no direct contact but the pain inflicted can be worse than that from physical assault,” he says.

Mutangana adds that cyber bullies are now taking advantage of loopholes in account settings of social media platforms.

"Not everyone knows how to boost his or her privacy settings, otherwise with tight security feature options bullying content would be filtered. This is why students are at a high risk of being bullied,” he adds.

Muhiza Frank, a web developer in Kigali, points out that cyber bullies don’t stop at posting niggling comments, but also manipulate blog posts to suit their own interests.

"One time I shared an article on my blog only to find out later that it was reposted on another site to attack me. Some content had changed completely just to make me feel uncomfortable,” Muhiza explains.

However Aristide Muhizi, a web developer at the ICT chamber in Kigali, warns that pornographic content is another common tool cyber bullies use to black mail people.

"Normally it may appear as a scam video or photo of a naked person that is shared with your friends via the internet. Sometimes, it is photoshopped with your face to make your friends think that it is you. In this case, the bully benefits at the expense of your privacy,” Muhizi explains.

Growing concerns in school going children

Recent studies from Europe on school going children found that cyber bullying was a bigger problem than drug abuse.

Worse still, a survey on more than 4,700 teenagers from across the world found that a-fifth of those who had experienced this form of bullying contemplated suicide, and more than half acknowledged that being taunted online was worse than being bullied in person.

Also, researchers who spoke to teenagers aged between 13 and 18 from the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, Greece, South Africa, US, Ireland and the Czech Republic found that a quarter of those bullied eventually closed down social media accounts and more than a-fifth skipped school.

One would, therefore, think that bullied people open up to share there experiences but studies still show that of those who were bullied, almost 40 per cent did not tell their parents, citing feelings of shame or fear, according to a survey commissioned by Vodafone.

What next

Rwanda National Police spokesperson, Celestin Twahirwa, acknowledges that cyber bullying is a growing concern within the society.

"Victims rarely report such cases to police as they are viewed as not worth reporting or even personal. However, the public ought to be vigilant against such incidences and notify police the minute a situation becomes life threatening,” Twahirwa explains.

Following the green flag for parents teachers associations (PTAs) to revise internal rules and regulations on the appropriate use and possession of mobile phones in school by the Ministry of Education, there are more worries about this form of bullying since students would have greater exposure to social media than before.

Paul Swagga, a tutor at Akillah Institute for Women, warns that cyber bullying can trigger adverse actions such as suicide.

He is of the view that IT officers within schools being more grounded in the field of technology can dig deep for solutions to deter cyber bullies.

"Young people use social media platforms unproductively; this way they interact with strangers and end up trusting them. These are the exact people who later launch their hidden motives against them,” he adds.

For Jane Nakayi, a teacher from Riviera High School, students should watch out on the videos they share with friends.

"Social media lovers, especially girls, should avoid posting information that might be used against them. For example, posting half nude photos and other personal stuff  should be avoided,” Nakayi warns.

Students speak out

Although the biggest portion of society takes cyber bullying for granted, students suffer the most serious side effects and most of them told the Education Times that it is common.

Eric Nyirimana, a student from St Emmanuel in Masaka, says he spends most of his time on whatsapp, but adds that bullying is common after sharing photos.

"It gets worse after sharing photos. It may not happen every day but sometimes, an individual can make you feel really bad about yourself. I have friends who have gone through such cases,” he says.

Sam Asiimwe Ruhindi, a former student at Lycee de Kigali, says he logged on his facebook page six months ago only to find abusive content in his inbox.

"It was a thread of porn showing that I was the one sharing it. In the end I had to apologise to my friends because they had received it from me,” Ruhindi says.

Allan Nkusi, a senior six student from Riviera High School, says he no longer posts pictures on his facebook wall because he fears that online bullies will encroach on his privacy.

"Once I learnt about it, I stopped.  Imagine your friends get hurt simply because someone else is interested in causing that,” he says.

Much as cyber bullying is a growing concern, experts advise that victims can stop bullies by ignoring their texts or enhancing security features on personal accounts.

"It is simple, don’t respond to those texts or messages. If the person persists, block them or get the police involved,” says Lionel Mpfizi, a software developer at HEHE labs.

How can one ensure security while online?

Wivine Mushoza, university student:

I advise people on social media to keep their accounts safe by deleting anything they deem inappropriate and make sure no one is posting unwanted content on your walls.

Celline Rugwiza, businesswoman:

Some platforms like facebook are so public and more risky. I advise young people, especially girls, to uphold their moral values as Rwandan ladies and watch what they post so that nobody can reveal their indecent photos for everyone to see.

Bella Alice, beauty shop attendant:

I advise young people to stay off social media platforms if they can’t use them for something productive or something that adds value to their lives. It is normally as a result of using social media carelessly that lands many in trouble.

Gabriel Baziramwabo, telecommunication engineer:

Security while online can be guaranteed by proper use of privacy options. I advise everyone to learn a few basics that can keep their accounts safer and less vulnerable.

Hussein Shafal, medical student:

I advise people on social media, especially the youth, to use it productively and avoid misusing it by posting inappropriate content. Users should also avoid responding to cyber bullies.

Aline Uwera, supermarket attendant:

Everyone on social media should be careful and know that it can make or break them. For instance, if inappropriate content is posted it may ruin someone’s reputation. Youth should stay away from pornographic content.