*Seshni Moodley is an admitted attorney, director of Seshni Moodley attorneys incorporated , with expertise in digital, civil and criminal law. She holds a masters in human rights law and is currently pursuing her PhD in human rights law.
No Safe Space: How Cyberbullying Violates Young People’s Human Rights
Globally, cyberbullying is a human rights crisis for young people. It strips children and youth of their dignity, safety and, in extreme cases, their right to life. Recent local cases show that urgent action is needed now.
Smartphones once promised to bring people closer together. For many young people, they have done the opposite. It is now possible for private interactions to be seen by anyone with the appropriate technology and skills. What once stayed between friends and family – a joke, a fight or a private photograph – can be shared in seconds.
Places that once felt safe, whether at home or at school, can suddenly feel exposed and dangerous. When insults, threats, humiliating images or videos are shared and reshared, the harm is more than emotional. It is a violation of basic human rights.
