In Kazakhstan, the lockdown result in escalating instances of cyberbullying.
Going Digital, Going Dark: The Sharp Increase of Cyberbullying Among Kazakhstan's Youth During the Pandemic
Heartbreaking stories of online harassment and intimidation have become all too common in Kazakhstan, where the pandemic-induced shift to remote learning and social distancing has left young minds vulnerable to the malicious digital actions of their peers. With many parents unfamiliar with digital platforms or preoccupied with work and personal stressors, the limelight of cyberbullying has cast a dark shadow over the once carefree lives of gadget-wielding children.
Enter the tale of Dina, an unfortunate victim of cyberbullying who found herself in the crosshairs of her perfidious ex-boyfriend and vengeful classmates following a bitter breakup. "He just couldn't let me go," Dina recounts, "I'm being harassed every day on social media and I don't know what to do." Little did she know that her story was far from unique in the digital chaos of Kazakhstan.
Cyberbullying, the insidious act of intimidation using digital platforms, has become an ominous phenomenon that continues to plague the nation's youth. Stats show that nearly every fifth teenager is either a victim or a participant in these virtual tirades, making it a crisis that demands urgent attention. Shockingly, a staggering 34% of complaints received by a professional association in Kazakhstan are related to this digital menace.
While statistics on cyberbullying during the pandemic are scarce, international trends indicate a steep rise in cases, with Kazakhstan following suit. In a rapidly advancing digital world, the result is a dire need for swift and decisive action to protect the vulnerable and help them navigate the treacherous waters of the cyber world.
"Cyberbullying can lead to devastating consequences, from harassment and blackmail to even forcing someone to take their own life," warns Shavkat Sabirov, President of the "Internet Association of Kazakhstan" NGO. In an effort to combat the escalating problem, the organization receives over 100 to 200 complaints per month, nearly 40% of which are related to cyberbullying.
To stem the tide of this growing crisis, psychologists and advocates urge parents to remain vigilant in monitoring their children's online interactions, especially among the young and susceptible teenagers in their formative years. Implementing online protection measures and opening various interventions, like clubs and sections, may also prove beneficial.
Parents are not alone in their battle against cyberbullying. Vladimir Steblyanko, President of the Association of Psychologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasizes the importance of parental guidance during challenging times, stating, "Children should turn to their parents when they need support." The Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has underscored the necessity of legislative measures to safeguard citizens, particularly children, from online abuse.
However, solutions to the problem must go beyond the classroom and the family room. Educators need to engage in meaningful digital literacy education focusing on safe online practices and positive online behavior. Furthermore, a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments and non-governmental organizations in enacting supporting policies and providing psychological support for victims is critical to eradicating cyberbullying from the digital fabric of Kazakhstan.
Sources:
- Child & Family Social Work - A systematic review highlighting the global surge of cyberbullying during the pandemic and its link with family context and parental engagement[1]
- International Parents Alliance's teacher and parent training in Kazakhstan, focusing on improving digital literacy and modeling positive online behavior[2]
- Recommendations for policy and digital literacy education, including proposals for providing psychological support for victims and legislation protecting children online[3][4]
- Research highlighting the influence of adult behavior—including parents and educators—in shaping children’s engagement in cyberbullying[2]
- General statistics on the prevalence of cyberbullying among children[5]
- Dina's story is not unique, as many Kazakhstan's youth are falling victim to cyberbullying, a concerning phenomenon that affects nearly one in five teenagers, according to statistics.
- Jomart, the Head of State, has acknowledged the necessity of legislative measures to protect citizens, especially children, from online abuse, realizing that solutions to cyberbullying must extend beyond the family room.
- To combat the rising issue of cyberbullying, psychologists advocate for teaching digital literacy in schools, focusing on safe online practices and positive online behavior, as well as a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments and NGOs in enacting supporting policies and providing psychological support for victims.
- In the shadow of the pandemic, the rise in cyberbullying cases has been mirrored in general-news reports and crime-and-justice sectors, making it clear that technology, initially a bridge for remote learning and staying connected, has also become a breeding ground for cybercrime.
