Cyber Bullying and Legal Safeguards in India

ABSTRACT
In this modern age of technology, the computer and web world has been the new emerging platform for the commission of crime, also known as cyber crime. In the era of increasing use of technology and social media the most common form of cyber crime i.e “cyber bullying” is being committed on a huge scale across the globe. With the introduction of Digital India, where most of the work has been digitalised, it became a gateway for the wrongdoers to use the digital world to harass or bully the victim in the form of threat, accusation, blackmailing etc to get their motives fulfilled. This paper aims to examine the concept of cyber bullying, and analysing the legal safeguards available under Indian law. This study adopts a doctrinal research methodology, relying on statutes, judicial decisions and scholarly writings. It is being observed that while various legislation such as IT Act 2000, BNS 2023, provides a framework to address the issues of cyber bullying but due to the lack of awareness and weak enforcement, the significant gap persists. The paper further discusses various forms of cyber bullying and its impact upon the victim. It further concludes that though legal safeguards exist, there is a need for stronger enforcement, increasing awareness and effective measures to combat cyber bullying in India.