With the advent of social media, people’s lives are displayed online. While most of us chose to limit these to our friends and family, some people like public figures, social media influencers chose to keep their profiles public which often attracts unsolicited comments from strangers. These people are generally known as trolls. Cyber Trolling is generally when a person posts or makes inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages online. Cyber trolling can happen in multiple ways such as: 1. Online Harassment: A deliberate attempt made by the troll to send abusive messages to a person or group These actions are deliberate, repeated, and consistent. 2. Outing: This happens when the troll releases private information or pictures online without the consent of the victim. 3. Framing: Framing can be termed as using someone’s social media profile and posting unsuitable content under their name without their consent. Laws related to Cyber Trolling: There is no law currently that specifically deals with cyber trolling, however there are certain clauses in existing laws that deal with this. Section 67 of IT Act: Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form Section 66 E of IT Act: According to section 66 E of the act, any person who knowingly disobeys privacy by sharing, seizing, or posting private pictures of others must be punished with up to three years detention or a fine of three lakhs rupee.
Section 507 IPC – According to section 507 of the act, if anyone receives criminal coercion, the person giving those threats must be imprisoned for up to two years. What Should You Do if you are a Victim? Do not respond or retaliate: the main motive of a troll is to look for a reaction,if you don’t respond, you restrain their power. Being silent and not responding takes away their control. Keep the evidence: If you fall victim to such cyber trolling, it can be extremely helpful to save messages, posts, and comments. Report Them to the Platform: Most social media platforms have a system for you to report accounts, messages, photos and posts anonymously so that the platform can investigate and take down the aforementioned and even ban the person from the platform. Reach out for help – It is important to remember that cyber trolling is a serious crime.
You have the option to file a complaint in your nearest police station or file a complaint online on https:// cybercrime.gov.in/. You can also do so by contacting the helpline i.e. 1930. If you need further assistance it is always a good idea to consult with a lawyer who can help you in this situation. Here are a few things that can help you keep safe on social media and online: Think before you post. Do not share anything that can hurt someone’s feelings and potentially harm someone else. Before you post make sure you understand who it is being shared with Friends? Friends of friends? Your privacy is in your hands. Choose your privacy settings wisely. It is important to remember that once something is shared online even if deleted, it stays on there forever. While it is important to be safe and cautious it is still your right to be able to post on your social media without being subject to hate, bullying or trolling and if needed we do have ways and means to tackle the same with the help of law.
The writer is Founder – Rest the Case