Press "Enter" to skip to content

Importance of Online Harassment Training

Online harassment has been happening for the longest time. It is also known as cyberbullying. Online harassment happens overall social media handles like Facebook, emails, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube, to mention a few. Anyone can be subject to online trolls and bullying. 

With the rise of cases over the recent global pandemic, many countries had lockdowns making people work from home. Many employers resorted to working from home. 

This encouraged aggressors to use the internet to threaten, bully and send malicious messages to colleagues or other individuals. All employees need to undergo harassment training online because of the following reasons.

1. It builds a safe workplace. 

Organizations should not take workplace harassment lightly. Harassment can happen within or outside an organization. 

As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure all your employees feel like the workplace is a haven for them. 

Online harassment is posed in many ways. These include.

  • Online content that has been created to expose a victim in a negative way
  • Sending pornographic or graphic pictures to someone without their consent
  • Making derogatory comments about someone online
  • Threatening emails
  • Sending victim viruses through workplace emails

Harassment causes psychological torture to a victim. It makes them feel unworthy unwanted, and they lose the morale to continue working. 

Training shields employees from such kind of torture. They are taught how to avoid downloading spam and hidden files with viruses. 

They are taught how to stand for themselves in cases where the perpetrator is a colleague or their employer. Read more here https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/We_Find_Them/ways-handle-prevent-cyber-harassment/story?id=15973742 

2. Protects your employees

Many people work with computers. They do not need to be computer savvy but should protect themselves against technological malware and malfunctions that put their jobs, lives, and customers’ credentials at risk. Because of this, you have to ensure they all enroll for training.

Every day, new viruses are made and may be sent to an individual’s software without them knowing. Training will help your workers be updated with software innovations. There are various ways to protect oneself from cyberbullying at the workplace. It includes the following:

  • Ensuring email passwords are long enough and a little complicated makes it difficult for anyone to access your emails. The passwords should not have a logical pattern and include symbols, numbers, and letters. Do not use obvious information like birth dates, names, and anniversary dates to make a password. They should also be frequently changed if someone tries decoding them.
  • For maximum security of their emails and general use, workers should use encrypted tools and software with privacy settings.

Avoid leaving already logged-in computers unattended, even for a few minutes. Someone can still operate it from another computer as long as it is logged in. 

Importance of Online Harassment Training
J_O_I_D, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3. Trains workers how to respond to harassments

Online harassment happens in and out of an organization. It can be by a colleague, friend, or stranger. One should know how to react when one finds themselves in such situations.  

  • If the perpetrator is a colleague, follow your organization’s policy and procedures to report them. Every credible company, organization, or facility has policies against bullies and harassment.
  • If you know your harasser, bravely tell them to stop contacting you or sending you threats or graphic materials. 
  • Block contacts and filter messages from unknown harassers. Always use emails programs with a feature that filters out messages.
  • Avoid opening attachments or downloading files as they are mainly used to spread viruses. If unsure, consult an expert from your software and technical department.
  • When using social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, always think twice before posting photos or tweets. If it may stir harmful reactions, do not post. You can also choose to block, hide or unfriend followers who are always aggressive on your posts.
  • All internet users should try keeping their details as private as possible. Information like addresses, phone numbers, passwords, and private photos do not have to be aired out for the whole world to see. It is very risky to your safety. Ensure your location settings are always turned off when taking pictures. Click here for more.

Conclusion

When the harassment is consistent and too much, keep records that you will present evidence when reporting your harasser. Bullies always wait for a reaction from their victims, never retaliate regardless of how angry you are. Do not respond to unsolicited emails as it only makes your aggressor know the email is active. 

When meeting online acquaintances, ensure it is in a public place, or you are in the company of another friend. Your children must not be on these social media applications when still young. They can fall victim to malicious comments depriving them of self-esteem and confidence. 

Report cyberstalkers to the police if they pose any danger. Online harassment has physical and emotional effects on victims and may generally mess with their mental state or life. Enroll in training on online harassment to protect yourself should you find yourself in such a position.

Featured Image by Mary Pahlke from Pixabay