As more of our lives move online, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is seeing more people exposed to harmful behaviour such as bullying, hate speech, trolling, body shaming and personal attacks.
“Social media has given people a platform to connect, but it has also made it much easier for hurtful comments to spread quickly and reach far more people than they ever could before,” said Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, the project manager for education at Sadag.
She said the emotional impact of cyberbullying could be significant.
“We often see people experiencing increased anxiety, depression, panic attacks, feelings of shame or humiliation, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, difficulty sleeping, and struggling to concentrate at work or school. For some individuals, particularly those who may already be vulnerable, ongoing bullying can contribute to self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
“One of the things that makes cyberbullying particularly difficult is that there is often no escape from it. Unlike traditional bullying, which may stop when someone leaves school or work, online abuse can follow someone home, continue 24 hours a day and be witnessed by hundreds or even thousands of people,” she said.
Parbhoo-Seetha said addressing cyberbullying required everyone to play a role.
“We need to continue teaching digital literacy and respectful online behaviour from a young age. Parents, caregivers and teachers also need the tools and confidence to have open conversations with children and young people about staying safe online and what to do if they are targeted.
“At the same time, we need to make it easier for people to ask for help. Many people stay silent because they feel embarrassed, fear they won’t be taken seriously or worry they’ll simply be told to ‘ignore it’. We need to recognise that online bullying can affect someone’s mental health just as deeply as bullying that happens face-to-face,” she said.
For help, contact (toll-free numbers):
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0800 567 567
Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline – 0800 121 314
Cipla Mental Health Helpline – 0800 456 789
NPOwer SA Helpline- 0800 515 515
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