Islamia College High School had the pleasure of well-known and established lawyers, Ighsaan Higgins and Faisal Bardien, to address our learners about the dangers of cyber bullying and the legal consequences that can follow based on the extremity of the situation.
An interactive and interesting talk, our learners had many questions about the legal side of cyber bullying. With technology being a big part of teenagers’ lives, it’s important to make them aware that their interactions on various social network platforms are far more deep rooted than they may expect. Mr Higgins mentioned that when a minor signs up to a social network, with their guardians not objecting, they enter a binding legal contract and bringing attention that their innocent teasing can become a legal issue.
In terms of the law, anyone can apply for a protection order against a bully and even minors can be sued, with assistance of their parents. One can also face up to 5 years of jail time if the issue is extremely serious after not finding a resolution when dealt with internally. It’s vital to make students aware that they should always be mindful of what they post.
That being said, the internet and technology is not all bad and should be embraced since it is not going anywhere and only becoming more advanced. It all comes down to responsibility and awareness about social media and technology usage. Social media and the internet can be an excellent tool for learning technical skills, social and political awareness and developing communication among many other things when used correctly. We thank Ighsaan Higgins and Faisal Bardien for coming to our school to shed light on this important topic and hope that it made a mark in the minds of everyone present at the talk.
