There are a lot of people on the Internet who, instead of arguing on the basis of facts, argue on the basis of emotions. They use abusive language, threats, insults, and bullying to make their point. While browsing social media, you’ve probably encountered such people everywhere.
Cybercrime is the new generation, and trolls are the new generation of criminals who spread abuse and hatred on the internet.
- Who are trolls ?
- Is trolling punishable?
- The best measure against cyber harassment .
What is the purpose of trolls?
The term “troll” refers to someone who posts abusive or controversial remarks or comments on social media platforms for the sole purpose of provoking anger and hurting the feelings of other people.One should not ignore the trolls, but should fight against them.
Is trolling punishable?
There is no specific law that addresses this growing concern, but there are a few sections in different laws such as the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Information Technology (Amendment) Act (IT Act) that make trolling a crime.
Best options against cyber harassment
There are a number of specific actions you can take depending on the circumstances:
- Privacy Invasion
If any person takes your photograph, makes your videos,records and publishes your private pictures or sends them electronically to anyone without your consent, then you can take legal action against them. Any violation of privacy is punishable by a prison term of three years.
- Publishing Sexually Offensive Material on the Internet
Today, many inappropriate and offensive materials are available on the Internet, which attracts a great deal of attention. Any person who posts inappropriate sexual content online faces a maximum seven-year prison sentence.
- Sexual Harassment
You can file a complaint against someone if they try to initiate physical contact or sexual advances with you, demand sexual favours from you, exhibit pornography, or make sexual remarks about you. Sexual harassment is also a crime when someone uses social media or other venues to make derogatory sexual remarks about other persons.
- Defamation
Anyone who purposefully utilises words, signs, or other visual cues, or publishes something solely to damage your reputation, can be held liable for defamation. The crime of defamation includes actions like disparaging a woman online, making offensive comments on social networking sites, and uploading offensive words, pictures, or videos.
- Voyeurism
If you are a woman and someone witnesses you doing a private act in an environment where you wouldn’t expect anyone to see, and if that person then publishes those photographs, you may be able to pursue legal action against them.
- Stalking
If a man is harassing you as a woman by following you, making personal contact with you, or trying to do so despite your lack of interest, or by watching your online or other electronic communication activity, you can take legal action against them by filing a case under the IPC with the aid of a lawyer.
Conclusion
No civilization can ever have complete freedom. Freedom always comes with a rider. You are free to express yourself or speak. Yet, you must also be mindful that your exercise of the right to freedom must not violate anyone, offend anyone’s sensibilities, be provocative, or, in the end, be indecent.
The statute pertaining to 66A was correctly repealed by the SC because it was challenging to administer. But, the Supreme Court has never ruled that laws should not exist to prevent such violations. The SC has stated multiple times that the right to freedom is not absolute.
We should think about adding a “report abuse” button to social networking sites, similar to what many newspaper websites do.The account may be blocked by the social media administrator and a police investigation may be started if the abuse tab is touched more frequently than the threshold number (determined based on assessment).
Even if one isn’t booked at the time, naming and shaming the individual doing the trolling would be sufficient for many to restrain their profanity on social media. For repeat offenders, a 24-hour detention at the police station would be sufficient as most of these trolls are unlikely to comprehend what it means to spend the night there.
Atulya Anand