Report Now

Covid-19 & Online Safety

Learn how to be safe online during the pandemic.

How to be safe online during the pandemic?

This virus revealed many aspects of our health sector but it also shed light on the vulnerabilities of being online. Although the majority of Fijians were able to connect with family and friends through the internet and social media because of the rise in connectivity and low costs of access, some users took full advantage of the circumstances and revealed some of the worst ills of the cyber world.

Online bullying or cyberbullying is among many of the online abuses that continues to perpetrate our online spheres so how can you recognize it and what can you do about it?

When an individual uses technology to post, send, or publish content online with the intention to harm another individual, usually in a repeated aggressive behaviour that stems from a power imbalance regarding the individuals involved, this is called online bullying. It can take many forms and unlike traditional bullying, it can happen in the comfort of your own home.

Forms:

  • Aggressive or abusive name calling
  • Sending unwanted messages, photos or videos
  • Using fake accounts to harass, threaten or intimidate
  • Spreading rumors or lies with the intention to hurt an individual

Where does it occur:

  • Facebook
  • Viber
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Snapchat
  • Messenger
  • Text messages

What to do if you are being bullied online:

  • Don’t reply, especially if it is a stranger or a fake profile
  • Don’t attack the person back and give the bully the satisfaction of a reaction
  • If you must reply and it is safe to respond, have a conversation and try to talk with the person privately
  • Talk to someone you trust, a great support system can be a lot of help
  • Block the online user or phone number on the social media platform or device
  • Report the content on the social media platform
  • Save any messages or images in case you may need it later for evidence
  • Contact the Online Safety Commission for help with any of the above
>