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A teenager’s cyberbullying ordeal
Her story, unfortunately, is not unique, shedding light on a growing crisis facing many young people on the internet.
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"It began with a few mean comments on my photos," Ama recounted. "I thought they were just jokes at first but then it got worse. They created fake accounts, spreading rumours and sharing doctored photos of me," Ama said, her voice trembling.
"What began as harmless social media posts turned into a nightmare I couldn't escape."
The digital abuse escalated, swiftly infiltrating every aspect of the teenager’s life, causing her to retreat from social interactions.
"The dread was constant," she explained.
"Each notification could bring another wave of cruelty."
Ama's mother, Mrs Grace Mensah noticed the change in her daughter's behaviour.
"It was like watching a light dim," Mrs Mensah said, her eyes glistening. "We knew something was wrong but we never imagined the depth of her pain."
The Mensahs' ordeal is far from isolated. A 2018 study by Agbeko et al. revealed that a staggering number of Ghanaian youth have fallen victim to cyberbullying.
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The research underscores a growing epidemic that threatens to undermine the nation's digital progress.
A Counsellor at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Eugene Kwarteng-Nantwi, has witnessed the surge in cyberbullying cases firsthand.
"The anonymity of the internet often emboldens bullies, making it easier for them to inflict emotional and psychological pain without immediate consequences," he asserted.
He emphasised the importance of awareness and communication.
"Parents should talk to their children about their online activities and be vigilant for signs of distress. Schools should also create a supportive environment where students feel safe to report bullying," he advised.
Experts are calling for a multi-pronged approach to combat this digital menace. A senior clinical psychologist at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Mr Jonathan Amartey, emphasises the need for comprehensive legislation. "Our laws must evolve as rapidly as our technology, we need robust digital protection acts that safeguard our youth in the virtual realm," he stated.
It is applaudable that the Ghana Education Service has begun implementing awareness programmes but critics argue that more needs to be done. safety.
Ms Mensah’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges that accompany technological advancement.
It's a clarion call for action, urging stakeholders to forge a safer digital landscape for the nation's future.
The writer is a Master of Philosophy student at the Department of Communication Studies, University of Cape Coast
