EDITORIAL - Take a stand!
There are reports that suggest that while we have not been hearing much in recent times about bullying in schools across this country, it is still very much a problem.
Indeed, it is unfortunate that we seem not to be able to bring that situation under control as yet, even after repeated calls – now in excess of seven years – for the issue to be addressed as a matter of urgency. It would seem that today’s children face more challenges than the children of previous generations, particularly as a result of the advent of more sophisticated technology. Nowadays, in an instant we can send and receive electronic messages, as well as post videos and pictures online. And rather than use this technology for good, adults and children alike use it for evil.
The technology makes it easier and even allows for anonymity by those who want to pressure, tease, taunt and even threaten their peers. What is worse is that they often do not issue idle threats; they are more than willing to follow through and sometimes with fatal consequences. But they say that the school is just a microcosm of the society in which it exists, and so it is safe to say that the bullying we see at that level is times worse in the wider society.
More and more, it is becoming evident that social media is taking hold of our lives, and we are seeing as easily as persons take a breath, they use blogs and social media sites to spread rumours and slander others. Though there have been repeated calls from police and government officials for such persons to cease and desist, they persist.
On any given day, anyone who has Whatsapp installed on their cell phone is guaranteed to get a message – be it in text format, video or voice note – which seeks to disparage the character of another person; and irresponsible persons repost those messages over and over again, not for one minute thinking that they are playing a part in this horrible act of character assassination. Now while the State should and must respect the rights of individuals to express their opinions, persons should be aware that that right should not be abused and used to the detriment of others.
We feel then that the relevant authorities should utilise the Computer Misuse Act to address this growing problem and help to ensure that persons are not overstepping their bounds. We acknowledge that the Act was put into action at least once since it came into effect – the case was that of a man charged with malicious communication, after he was accused of circulating a message that was defaming a high profile member of society. However, since then, nothing. Is it that persons do not know such behaviour is a criminal offence and can be reported to the police? If that is the case, then there is need for the public to be educated, as this could help to prevent these acts from continuing to occur.
Barbados would certainly not be the only country in the region, or for that matter in the world, which would be seeking to crack down on such behaviour. Just last week in Jamaica a woman was arrested and charged under their Cyber Crimes Act for posting pictures on social media claiming that her ex-boyfriend was wanted for rape, assault and murder. She was arrested, the Jamaican media reported, after police investigations revealed that the information was malicious and false.
Often people feel that they can hide behind the electronic device and get away with murder, so to speak, so it is imperative that countries, including Barbados, take a firm stand now and root out these types of actions before it becomes even harder to put a halt to them.