Curtin Malaysia hosts workshop on social media and cyber bullying by lecturers for public

Miri – 14 August 2023 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently hosted an engaging workshop for the general public in Miri on the pressing issues of social media and cyberbullying. Held at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri, the workshop was facilitated by lecturers Dr. Ngu Ik Ying from Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences and Peter Jamba from its School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE).

With the rise of social media platforms and the increasing prevalence of cyberbullying incidents, it has become crucial to address the impact these issues have on individuals, especially students, in the digital age. Recognising the importance of raising awareness and fostering knowledge on effective cyber safety measures, SPACE organised the workshop as part of its commitment to the well-being and security of students of the university and the wider community.

The workshop aimed to educate participants about the concept of cyberbullying and its various forms, highlight the impact of social media on mental health and well-being, explore strategies and best practices to prevent and combat cyberbullying, and foster a safe and inclusive digital environment through responsible social media usage.

The event brought together a diverse group of participants comprising concerned community members, parents, educators, and professionals, all committed to addressing the pressing issue of cyberbullying. There was active engagement from the participants, with thought-provoking discussions, sharing of personal experiences, and exploring of possible collaborations and actionable solutions.

“In today's digitally connected world, social media platforms and digital technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for communication, collaboration, and sharing. However, this connectedness has also brought to light the alarming issue of cyberbullying, which can have devastating effects on individuals, especially adolescents and young adults,” said Dr. Ngu.

“Thus, this workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and resources to prevent cyberbullying and respond effectively to such incidents.”

The key highlights of the workshop included defining bullying and cyberbullying, emphasising the intentional harm inflicted repeatedly over time and the power imbalance that often accompanies such behaviour.  The participants also gained insights into various cyberbullying tactics, such as spreading lies, posting embarrassing content, sending hurtful messages, images, or videos, and impersonating others through fake accounts.

They went on to discuss how to prevent bullying, emphasising the power of building empathy to prevent bullying, empowering individuals to counteract cyberbullying by promoting kindness and spreading positive messages. They also learned strategies to develop resilience, enabling them to cope with cyberbullying incidents and emerging as stronger individuals in the face of online challenges.

Lastly, they discussed action to take to counter cyberbullying. Practical guidance was provided on what to do if someone experiences cyberbullying, including seeking support from trusted individuals, and reaching out to professional counsellors or helplines.

"We are delighted with the response to the workshop, and we commend the dedication of all the participants towards making the digital world a safer and kinder place," said Peter. "By empowering individuals with the essential knowledge and resources, we can collectively combat cyberbullying and promote digital respect."

The next workshop in SPACE’s Digital Media Literacy talk and workshop series in collaboration with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri will be one on Game Programming on 19 August 2023. As with all talks and workshops in the series, attendance is free of charge. For more information on the event, contact the SPACE Administration Team by email to [email protected], or contact Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri at +6085-422525.

SPACE was established in 2021 with the aim of creating educational and training opportunities for youth so that they can unlock their potential. The School offers diploma and foundation programmes that are pathways to degree programmes at Curtin Malaysia and other Curtin campuses, as well as professional education, including corporate training, short courses, and micro-credentials, for young learners and working adults to take their careers to the next level. To find out more about SPACE, visit its website at cmspace.curtin.edu.my, or send them an email at [email protected].

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik-Tok.