Effective anti-cyber bullying campaigns needed

MORE than half, or 520 respondents of the UCSI Poll Research Centre survey, said they would defend victims of a cyber bully.

Of the 974 people surveyed, 50.8% of them said they would comfort victims privately; 45.1% said they will stop the act of bullying; 29.6% said they will tell their friends or parents; 13.7% said they retaliate by attacking the bully; and 12.7% said they would do nothing.Surprisingly, 0.9% of the respondents said they would join in the bullying.

Overall, about half said they would feel upset with reports of cyber bullying cases, and 48.7% of the respondents said they would inform the police of such incidents.

Meanwhile, 40.8% said they would speak to someone they trust on the issue, and 21.5% would pretend as if nothing had happened.

UCSI Poll Research Centre CEO Asst Prof Dr Noppadon Kannika called on the government to urgently address matters related to cyberbullying.

“Not only should the government wage a war against cyberbullying, it should also educate the public, parents particularly, so children and youth are protected,” he said, urging civil groups to run effective anti-cyber bullying campaigns to prevent such cases in the country.

The poll was conducted between Feb 1 and 21.

For details, visit www.ucsipoll.org.