PROJECT: CYBERBULLYING

Isabel Spies
2 days ago
6 min read

PLEASE SHARE THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT

Cyberbullying in South Africa has escalated into a pervasive and deeply harmful crisis.

According to recent reporting, about 40% of schoolchildren in South Africa experience some form of bullying,

and roughly one in three teenagers are victims of cyberbullying, a form of harassment that extends far beyond schoolyards and classrooms into phones, social media, and home spaces.

Unlike physical bullying, cyberbullying leaves no visible scars: its damage is psychological, emotional, and often hidden. Victims may be subjected to mocking memes, public shaming, harassing messages,

and non-consensual sharing of images or intimate content.

Psychiatrists and mental-health professionals warn that such digital harassment can lead to severe distress:

anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, isolation, plummeting self-esteem, and even lifelong psychological wounds.

While cyberbullying may overlap with existing offences such as harassment, defamation or dissemination of intimate images without consent, there is no single legal definition of “cyberbullying” under South African law.

This legal ambiguity often complicates accountability and prosecution, particularly when victims

are minors or perpetrators are anonymous.

Moreover, incidents of cyberbullying are frequently underreported.

Many children suffer in silence because of shame,

fear of retaliation, or lack of trust that adults will respond effectively.

SIGNIFICANCE:

MENTAL HEALTH AND LONG-TERM TRAUMA:
- The psychological toll of cyberbullying can have lifelong effects.
- Victims may carry trauma into adulthood, manifesting as anxiety disorders, trust issues, post-traumatic stress, and difficulties in relationships.
IMPACT ON EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT:
- Cyberbullying undermines the ability of young people to concentrate, participate in school, or feel safe, resulting in academic decline, disengagement from school activities, and, in extreme cases, school dropouts.
WIDER SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES:
- Because cyberbullying follows victims beyond school, into homes, social spaces, and future workplaces, it undermines social cohesion, trust, and well-being.
- It can damage reputations, hamper social mobility, and contribute to cycles of shame, silence, and isolation.
CHALLENGES FOR LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEMS:
- The lack of a clear, unified legal definition of cyberbullying and the associated difficulties in evidence-gathering and prosecution mean many perpetrators escape accountability.
NORMALISATION OF DIGITAL CRUELTY:
- As digital communication becomes more central in daily life, especially among youth, harmful behaviour risks becoming normalised, with social media and instant messaging enabling harassment at any time, often anonymously.

Cyberbullying is not just a “kids’ problem” — it is a serious social crisis that threatens mental health, undermines education, erodes trust in online and offline spaces, and reveals structural gaps in legal and institutional protection.

PROTECTIVE MEASURES:

CLARIFY OR STRENGTHEN LEGAL FRAMEWORKS:
- The law must more explicitly define cyberbullying as a distinct offence.
- While existing statutes, such as the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, the Protection from Harassment Act, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 2002, and related legislation, already provide some protection against harassment, defamation, and non-consensual image sharing, they are insufficiently cohesive or widely applied.
- Prosecutors and law-enforcement agencies must treat cyberbullying with at least as much urgency as physical violence or harassment. Victims must be able to rely on responsive, trauma-informed processes that safeguard their dignity and privacy.
- Encourage use of civil remedies: victims — or their guardians — should be empowered to seek protection orders or civil damages where appropriate.
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS IN DIGITAL LITERACY AND EMOTIONAL AWARENESS:
- Instil in young people (and their caregivers) a strong understanding of what constitutes cyberbullying: not just name-calling or trolling, but also sharing intimate images without consent, public shaming, exclusion, impersonation, and ongoing harassment.
- Promote digital literacy and online etiquette — encourage empathy, respect, and critical reflection before posting or sharing.
  - Teach young users to think twice: “If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online.”
- Build “third spaces”: safe, offline environments (community centres, clubs, sports, youth groups) where young people can socialise and build emotional ties outside the pressures of social media — thereby reducing overreliance on digital validation.
  - This idea has been proposed by experts.
STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY:
- Schools must update codes of conduct to explicitly cover online misconduct, even if it occurs off school grounds.
- Under the South African Schools Act, schools have a duty to maintain safe environments; this duty must evolve to include digital spaces.
- Train educators, parents and community leaders to recognise warning signs — changes in mood, withdrawal, anxiety about online use — and to respond proactively.
- Victims often do not report bullying because they fear shame or do not trust adults to help.
- Provide accessible mental-health support: counselling services, support groups, child-friendly reporting mechanisms.
- Given the deep psychological impact, early intervention is crucial.
ENCOURAGE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
- Bystanders, classmates, friends, family, colleagues, must be empowered to speak up, support victims, and challenge harmful behaviour.
- Silence perpetuates abuse.
- Run public awareness and prevention campaigns — especially during school cycles, digital-use surges (e.g., around holidays), and as part of broader mental-health and safety efforts.
- Advocate for community-based “third spaces” (safe offline social environments) where young people can build identity and belonging outside the often toxic dynamics of social media.

The digital world has transformed how South Africans, especially youth, connect, communicate, and belong.

But with that shift comes a silent, pervasive crisis: cyberbullying.

The harmful power of a swipe, a post or a meme must not be underestimated.

Cyberbullying can destroy dignity, mental health, and even lives.

To address it meaningfully, South Africa needs more than individual resilience: it needs systemic change.

Stronger laws, clear definitions, institutional accountability, digital literacy, and a culture that refuses to look away.

Only then can we hope to build online spaces and offline communities, where children and young people are safe,

supported, and free to grow without fear.

Specialised Security Services is committed to proactive crime prevention, and in line with this mandate,

SSS continues to highlight cyberbullying as a growing and deeply concerning threat.

We have published numerous projects to inform the public of its devastating impact, yet as cases continue to rise,

it remains imperative that we persist in raising awareness and offering assistance.

If you, your child, or anyone you know is a victim of this intolerable form of harassment,

do not hesitate to contact Mr. Mike Bolhuis for immediate support from his formidable Cyber Crime Unit.

PREVIOUS SSS PROJECTS:

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.

2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:

- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarjftF8PgsI4pODE929

3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.

4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)

CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.

ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.

Regards,

Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes

PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949

Mobile: +27 82 447 6116

E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za

Fax: 086 585 4924

Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -

https://www.facebook.com/MikeBolhuisOfficial

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.

STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.

POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv