There is a thin line between freedom of expression and cyber bullying. On several occasion, netizens either indulge in cyber bullying or ignore what is happening online. But for a 17-year-old to turn a deaf ear to this issue was not a solution. So Ananya Vohra rather decided to find a solution to this issue.
It started with Vohra conducting a survey-based research under the guidance of Dr. John Tirman at MIT. This was to understand the nature of cyber bullying among youth. So, the target group for the same was aged between 13 and 25 who were based across Indian cities. “Gaining a sense of how this issue manifests itself is the first step in tailoring a solution. Through questions designed at comprehending the motives behind cyber bullying, behavioural trends of cyber bullies, platforms on which it occurs, and variation in the type of harassment, I have worked on analysing the different factors that come together,” she said this keeping in mind the survey.
Survey was not the last leg of her plans but just a start. At present, she is conducting a pledge against cyber bullying, through which one would not only refrain from hurting someone online, anonymously or otherwise but also pledge to stand up for someone who may be experiencing cyber bullying, and reach out to someone who may need help. Vohra is eyeing for this three-step pledge to bring a change in the mindset.
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Disclosing her vision for the project, she said she hopes to share her manual and reach out to as many people as possible, to help raise awareness of the issue. “The manual contains some of the key findings from my research and offers guidance for parents, teachers and students on coping with an instance of cyber bullying,” Vohra added.
The triggering point for Vohra was seeing the hate messages on various online platforms which ‘really intrigued and bothered’ her. Vohra discovered through her research that much of cyber bullying occurs even in friend circles and by people known to youngsters. “Further, while nearly 97 per cent of respondents to the survey believed cyber bullying is a serious issue, 34 per cent admitted to leaving a mean comment at least once,” she revealed.
She believes that legal action against offenders can be a tricky situation. “Further, legal action against young students guilty of cyber bullying is not necessarily the best corrective action. I believe a combination of social and technology-led measures would be a good start. Intra-company cyber bullying committees, awareness initiatives and mathematical algorithms to detect online harassment can be potentially useful,” Vohra stated who also spoke at The Indus Entrepreneur (TiE) event held at the Indian School of Management and Entrepreneurship (ISME) recently. She also hosted a panel discussion which included representatives of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and executives from the field of technology, mental health and law.
