Kolkata: About 77 percent parents in India are aware of cyberbullying, which could prove deadly for their children, according to Symantec Software Solutions, makers of Norton anti-virus software.
"Cyber-bullying is cruel, anti-social behaviour carried out by children, teens and sometimes by adults through any number of digital channels. It can happen anywhere, anytime - even while at home" Symantec country sales manager (India and SAARC) Ritesh Chopra said here Tuesday.
"The main forms of cyberbullying are flaming, harassment, denigration, outing secrets, intentional exclusion or cyber stalking," he said.
He said earlier bullying had been restricted to playgrounds and classrooms but now its impact could be serious as it was happening online. "Self esteem and confidence are worst hit when one is bullied in front of hundreds of people online."
To fight cyberbullying, parents must talk more and more to their children and update themselves about the cyber environment, said Chopra.
The anti-virus maker was planning to visit schools and spread awareness among the kids in the metropolis as well as smaller cities in April this year, he added.
IANS
First Published: Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 10:16