CONQUERING CYBERBULLYING TURNING PAIN INTO POWER | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2026

Author: Edwin Joseph

Intro: In this first of a seven-part series, cybersecurity professional Edwin Joseph writes about how to deal with the online menace of cyberbullying.

The digital age, a realm of incredible connectivity and shared knowledge, has brought with it a shadow: cyberbullying. Modern use of technology – phones, social media, and gaming platforms – can also pose threats like harassment, intimidation, or humiliation to self or others.

We must awaken to the fact that the virtual space is an extension of our community living and fostering security is imperative to this space as well.

Let us deep dive into two different scenarios which might be familiar.

1. WhatsApp group scenario: Social group turning to a gossip group targeting their classmates 

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The Case: A group of high school students created a private WhatsApp chat used to organise parties and social activities. They systematically used the group to exclude a few of their former friends, spreading false rumours about them, leading to dislike and hate from related group, causing social isolation and emotional distress to the victims.

Key Takeaway: WhatsApp group chats can quickly turn into tools for social exclusion and spreading defamation among a victim's peers, often out of the sight of family members. Parents/caretakers need to be vigilant on the social attendance of their children in any platform

2. Intimidation and Blackmailing scenario:

The Case: Nick and his friend Marco (name changed) have a disagreement. During an online argument, Marco reminds Nick of an old, embarrassing moment, perhaps a screenshot of a ridiculous comment Nick made about a teacher, intimidates and blackmails him leading to significant psychological trauma.

Key Takeaway: Isolated issues like these should not be overlooked as this not only affects the individual who becomes the victim, but also strengthens the offender to repeat the offence with others. This reduces and limits the individual and the associated groups to contribute positively to Church and society as a whole.

Cyberbullying causes serious psychological harm, academic & social decline, technological misuse, and spiritually it risks hardening both the heart of the aggressor and the victim. The aggressor can fall into patterns of habitual unkindness and malice, while the victim often experiences isolation, despair, and a struggle to feel God’s love amidst the pain.

Preventing the Harm

• Evaluate before joining any social media group or platform:                                                Assess safety and moderation before joining groups, find out if you feel cared and safe in this group or platform. 

• Online Communication Etiquette: What you post or message should not offend others, set high standards in social media channels of communication.

• Promote Positive Witness: Encourage the use of platforms for good – to affirm others, share faith, and build genuine community for Christ – like St Carlos Acutis.

Healing the Wounds

• Intervention & Reporting: If you see cyberbullying, do not ignore it. Solidarity demands that we report the behaviour to a trusted adult, school, or platform administrator. Silence is complicity.

• Counselling and Support: Victims must be directed toward psychological and spiritual support. The parish community must be a safe haven, assuring the victim that they are loved and valued by God.

• Path to Reconciliation: Address the perpetrator with firmness and mercy. The goal is not just punishment, but genuine repentance and an understanding of the gravity of their action against their neighbour, guiding them toward the sacrament of confession.

The Role of the Church, Community, and Family 

The Family is the domestic Church and the first line of defence, responsible for modelling respectful digital behaviour and monitoring activity with loving vigilance. Parents must be Christ-like shepherds to their children online, guardian angels on earth for their near and dear ones. 

Parishes and schools are the second in line of defence who could host workshops and seminars, 

Youth group ministries and communities, the third line of defence could discuss emerging threats and solutions focussing on youth and teens in the growing digital landscape during conference or annual events.

Finally, it all sums up to the mandate which Christ taught us, where loving God and loving our neighbour results in upholding the dignity of online friends and family members on any platform.

St John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae reminds us: ‘Respect for life requires that science and technology should always be at the service of man and his integral development.’

May this prudence guard the soul in this cyber age. Amen.

Edwin Joseph is a FinTech and cybersecurity professional, who collaborates with global media and mission initiatives focussed on children, teens and youth. He hails from Kerala, India.