Less than a week before the start of the school year, parents are plunging back into the reality of the school world, and into some of its horrors. At a time when even the youngest students have a smartphone, cyberbullying is a scourge feared by 74% of parents. During his back-to-school press conference, the Minister of Education affirmed the importance of the fight against this form of school bullying.
The start of the school year is only a few days away, and prevention is topical for parents who let their child go to school alone, or who will have a smartphone available. A very practical tool for monitoring your child remotely, but which can also prove to be dangerous when it allows access to social networks and to the various support group apps. Globally, 74% of parents are worried that their child will become a victim of cyberbullying.. And there is what! Indeed, according to an mcAfee study published this month, globally, 80% of children are victims of bullying on Instagram, and 58% of parents fear that their child is a perpetrator of cyberbullying.. In France, the study details: 54% of harassed children were bullied by someone they knew, 39% having been victims of insults or rumors for 21%.
Thus, Pap Ndiaye recalled his commitment on August 26, during his back-to-school press conference, to fight against cyberbullying. Very committed to the “well-being and development of students”, school bullying is in this sense a major line of work for the Ministry of Education, in charge of finding concrete and effective means to overcome this danger. A danger that can lead to the worst, as recalled by the story of Jonathan Destin, who died on August 20. Already, parents and children can rely on the 3018 app, which is essential to know to report any form of cyberbullying that may occur during the year.
The 3018 application to support victims of cyberbullying
In France, a child receives their first digital device on average at the age of 10 and 20% of young people aged 8-18 say they have already been confronted with a situation of cyberbullying. To put an end to this scourge which impacts the new generation, the government launched in November 2021 a new nCall number against digital violence: 3018, which replaces the Net Ecoute number. In the aftermath, the 3018 application has been launched, a new entry point for reporting any situation of cyberbullying, in order to ensure rapid and comprehensive support for the victim. This new app managed by the Association e-Enfance offers four functions:
- Instant contact via chat with a professional from 3018, as well as direct contact on the national number 3018;
- Storing evidence of the harassment experienced (screenshots, photos, url links, etc.) in a digital and secure safe, as well as the possibility of transferring all or part of this evidence to the 3018 teams;
- Quick access to practical sheets on cyberbullying to find out about your rights and how to react;
- Self-assessment of their situation using a questionnaire, to encourage the victim to seek help.
The 3018 hotline against cyberbullying
The State Secretariat for Children and Families and the e-Childhood Association had already launched, in November 2021, a new number to call against digital violence: 3018. It replaces the Net Ecoute 0800 200 000 number. “The 3018 thus becomes the single point of entry for teenagers, parents and their children, on all questions related to the digital uses of young people” says the ministry. The 3018 is a free, anonymous and confidential number, is accessible by telephone 6 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., on 3018.fr by live chat, via Messenger and WhatsApp. Psychologists, lawyers and specialists in digital tools will answer questions from young people and parents on cyberbullying, revenge porn, webcam blackmail, overexposure to screens, video games, exposure to violent content and pornography, parental control, account configuration on social networks or account hacking, and identity theft.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is defined by National Education as “an aggressive, intentional act perpetrated by an individual or a group of individuals by means of electronic forms of communication, repeatedly against a victim who cannot easily defend himself”. It manifests itself on cell phones, instant messaging, forums, chats, online games, emails, social networks or photo sharing sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc. Furthermore, cyberbullying takes the form of intimidation, insults, teasing, threats, spreading rumours, photos or videos. Account hacking, online identity theft, or sexting (dissemination of sexually explicit images of young people without their knowledge) are also considered acts of cyberbullying or online harassment.
Cyberbullying: what are the numbers?
- In 2019, 2,176 cases of cyberbullying were reported at the academic level.
- The services of Stop Harassment, which can be reached on the free telephone number 3020, were requested 77,742 times and 649,236 visitors consulted the No to Harassment site.
- According to the government, 40% of French students say they have been the victim of online aggression or meanness.
- The most used means of cyberbullying is texting for one in five students (20.3%) and phone calls (13.9%). 12.1% of students also say they have been victims of identity theft and 11.6% that they have been excluded from an online social group. 4.8% of them also claim to have been victims of harassment on social networks.
Cyberbullying: what does the law say?
French law does not consider cyberbullying as an offense as such, but people who are the perpetrators of acts of cyberbullying can be held liable. Thereby :
- Online insult or defamation exposes to a fine of 12,000 euros
- Misuse of image rights can be punished by a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros
- identity theft is liable to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros
- Dissemination of sexually explicit photos or videos of a minor can be punished by 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros.
What to do in case of cyberbullying?
Your child is the target of cyberbullying:
In this case, it is recommended not to respond to hateful comments online, to log out of all accounts and social networks and not to remain alone in the face of this cyberbullying. Nevertheless, keep all online evidence that attacks your child.
Your child witnesses cyberbullying:
It is recommended to immediately delete the photo or text message received, not to participate in hateful comments, to report this cyberbullying, and to the extent possible, to support the victim.
As the parents of the victim:
Start by reassuring your child, listen to him, and keep him away from his computer, cell phone or tablet so that he can no longer access these insults online. On your side, collect evidence, take screenshots of hate messages and record the emails he receives. These elements can be used to file a complaint later, if necessary. Finally, do not delay in making a report to a hosting provider to request the removal of illegal content. Finally, contact the management of your school to obtain the support of the Education staff who can in turn intervene.
At school, education professionals may in particular summon the perpetrator, support and reassure your child, accompany you in your steps, and initiate disciplinary proceedings, or even report the offense to the public prosecutor.
To prevent your teenager from being the target of cyberbullying, it is recommended that he learn how to use digital tools well. Safeguarding personal data, managing privacy settings, securing passwords, limiting access to strangers on social networks, raising awareness of respect for privacy… are essential in order to limit risks.
As with school bullying, parents, teachers and the student’s entourage can be attentive to certain signs and changes in the child’s behavior, although cyberbullying takes place out of sight of adults.
In the victim: Anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, negative comments, recurring complaints, decreased interest in activities, trouble sleeping, fatigue, being late/forgetting materials, declining school performance, absences, threats (harming or harm to others), isolation from the group / withdrawal into oneself.
Among perpetrators and witnesses of cyberbullying : aggressive / defiant attitude and positive view of this type of behavior, low empathy, circle of friends who are aggressive or who participate in harassment, does not recognize the impact of their actions, use of many online accounts.