GENDER VIOLENCE IN CYBERSPACE

Cyber-bullying is a new and hidden form of social cruelty among adolescents. Cyberspace can magnify the harmful psychological effects of bullying among classmates as it provides an infinite audience to prey on victims through on-line harassment and abuse and its anonymity protects the perpetrators. This can be carried out through text messages or video filming on cell phones, online chat rooms, web logs and websites. Cyber-violence involves substantial sexual harassment, usually of females but online homophobia directed at males is also prevalent. Fear of unknown perpetrators among classmates and harassment that continues at school can be psychologically devastating for victims and detrimental to all students by detracting from schoolwork.

GENDER VIOLENCE IN CYBERSPACE