More action is needed to prevent the potentially tragic results of cyber bullying, a campaigner says.
Barry Cummings, founder of the Beat the CyberBully Campaign, said the incidence of online bullying was on the rise in the UAE, in line with the global trend, and its consequences could be dire.
“Teachers and parents in the UAE have been feeding back to us, saying that cyber bullying is becoming more and more of an issue,” said Mr Cummings.
“We’ve seen some really tragic cases around the world where bullying has got to the point that the singled-out party has seen no other way out than to end their own life. This phenomenon is a serious threat to society.”
His campaign produced a report for the Ministry of Interior's 999 magazine this month.
The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Lt Col Awadh Al Kindi, warned that cyber bullies would not just go away if ignored.
“Cyber bullying should not be treated lightly,” said Lt Col Al Kindi. “Ignoring this gives cyber bullies a signal that adults don’t care and that it is acceptable behaviour.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure today’s youngsters don’t grow up scarred and damaged.”
Threats, blackmail and abuse are the most common forms of cyber bullying, the report said, and teenagers should be cautious before adding people to their social networks.
Bullying can include posting rumours or gossip, and even to the point of severe defamation and humiliation.
“Cyber bullying can occur 24 hours a day and seven days a week due to the ubiquitous nature of the electronic media and the internet,” said Dr Dan Florell, a school psychologist.
“Adolescent mental health can be very susceptible when teens encounter situations where they have no control and there is no perceived end to a situation.
“This explains common results such as depression, anxiety, psychosomatic problems, lower academic performance, self-harm and suicidal ideas.
“Results can, indeed, be severe. People across the world, including the UAE, have been shocked to discover that this sort of harassment can lead to suicide.”
Dr Joel Haber, founder of RespectU, a bully-prevention and management resource for companies, schools and parents, said this type of bullying could leave a child feeling isolated and humiliated.
“For some kids, that is too much to deal with,” Dr Haber said.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Wimbledon order of play on Saturday, July 8
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Centre Court (4pm)
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Timea Bacsinszky (19)
Ernests Gulbis v Novak Djokovic (2)
Mischa Zverev (27) v Roger Federer (3)
Court 1 (4pm)
Milos Raonic (6) v Albert Ramos-Vinolas (25)
Anett Kontaveit v Caroline Wozniacki (5)
Dominic Thiem (8) v Jared Donaldson
Court 2 (2.30pm)
Sorana Cirstea v Garbine Muguruza (14)
To finish: Sam Querrey (24) leads Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-5
Angelique Kerber (1) v Shelby Rogers
Sebastian Ofner v Alexander Zverev (10)
Court 3 (2.30pm)
Grigor Dimitrov (13) v Dudi Sela
Alison Riske v Coco Vandeweghe (24)
David Ferrer v Tomas Berdych (11)
Court 12 (2.30pm)
Polona Hercog v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Gael Monfils (15) v Adrian Mannarino
Court 18 (2.30pm)
Magdalena Rybarikova v Lesia Tsurenko
Petra Martic v Zarina Diyas
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith