DOI: 10.67733/rlipe.2.1.1 ISSN: 3062-4487

Digital Literacy and Ethical Media Use: Role of Education in Combating Cyberbullying and Protecting Children's Privacy

Soumyajit Mukherjee, Jayati Kharga
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The growth of digital platforms in India has led to a surge in cyberbullying, particularly among children, as they are vulnerable. With increasing access to the internet and social media, children face risks that extend beyond the physical world, including harassment, threats, and other forms of cyber abuse or cyberbullying. India leads the world in the frequency of cyberbullying, with over 33% of children reporting having been the victim of it. Based on data from the NCRB, there was a 63.48% increase in cybercrimes between 2018 and 2019. (National Crime Records Bureau [NCRB], 2020) With this research paper, the author intends to explore how schools, as formal agents of socialisation, can effectively integrate digital citizenship into curricula, adopt preventive legal education programs, and develop reporting and redressal mechanisms aligned with child protection laws. This paper also analyses some of the statutory frameworks with relevant precedents and assesses how existing legal standards intersect with pedagogical responsibilities. Furthermore, it investigates the importance of empowering teachers, parents, and students with knowledge of online rights, privacy laws, and safe digital practices, emphasising international best practices. Finally, this paper suggests that enhancing digital literacy in schools is not just educationally important but also a legal and ethical duty to protect children online. It calls for integrated reforms in policy, law, and education to help children safely navigate the digital world, uphold their privacy rights, and promote respectful online behaviour, making education a key defence against cyberbullying and digital harm.

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