University aims to combat cyberbullying through Alternative Safe Space and Deleting Hate Speech
Bengaluru, 09th November 2022: CMR University, one of the top-ranked international universities in Bengaluru partnered with FSL India, to organize a workshop for combating Cyberbullying through Alternative Safe Space and Deleting Hate Speech (CTRL+ALT+DELETE) to spot and stop cyberbullying.
Having initiated various student volunteering activities in different spheres under its Common Core Curriculum Community Service Program (CCC CSP) that was formally launched in September 2022, over 275 students have already engaged in 8600+ hours of community service.
As part of the ongoing initiatives of CCC CSP, the student-led workshop on cyberbullying “Alternative Safe Space and Deleting Hate Speech (CTRL+ALT+DELETE)” was organized on 4th November 2022 at its OMBR Campus in Bengaluru. The workshop witnessed the participation of over 75 students from the CMR University’s School of Design, School of Legal Studies, School of Management and School of Science Studies. The workshop was facilitated by 10 experts from Erasmus representing various countries including the Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy and Philippines. Dr. Shubhra N. Punetha, a leading Psychiatrist at Sri Sathya Sai Hospital in Whitefield, Bengaluru graced the workshop as the Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Dr. Suja Bennet, Dean Academics, CMR University.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Shubhra said “It is very heartening to see that CMR University through its Common Core Curriculum Community Service Program (CCC CSP) is committed to building awareness on Cyberbullying. Today, I had the opportunity to interact with CMRU students and educate them on Cyberbullying and the international best practices for students to combat Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a global crisis and is very different from traditional bullying as the emotional impact is deep and prolonged. If not treated in a timely manner, it could also result in ‘Cyberbullicide’. Students need to be sensitized on this subject as early as possible. It’s time to say no to Cyberbullying!”
According to McAfee’s recent global Cyberbullying report, 85 percent of Indian children reported being cyberbullied as well as having cyberbullied someone else – a rate well over twice the international average, making India the number one nation for reported Cyberbullying in the world. According to Indian parents, 42 percent of children have been the target of racist cyberbullying, strikingly 14 percent higher than the rest of the world at 28 percent. Forms of cyberbullying also included trolling, personal attacks, sexual harrassment, and threat of personal harm.
Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, (Provost, CMR University) said, “CMR University is taking its students Digital Citizenship very seriously. Through the University’s Common Core Curriculum (CCC), we have made it mandatory for every student to undergo courses that will help them understand the significance of leaving the right digital footprints. We intend to empower our students to become responsible users of technology and engage with society. Today’s workshop helped our students receive a global perspective on the Cyberbullying crisis and equipped them with key preventive strategies and tools to combat Cyberbullying.”
The Cyberbullying malaise is global and so is the misery; and in India, with its unique socio-economic and cultural challenges, cyberbullying is an evil that’s spreading faster than that can be contained. Under the curriculum pillar of “Contributing to Society”, this workshop organized by CMR University enabled its undergraduate students to be aware about the menace of Cyberbullying, the driving factors behind India’s increased Cyberbullying, and ways to spot and stop Cyberbullying, along with educating them on the related legal aspects.
