Cyber Expert Sounds ‘Death Knell’, Says Online Harassment Perilou

A cybersecurity expert, Anas Mohammed, has urged Nigerians to stop treating online harassment as entertainment.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna, that such behaviour contributes to cyber bullying and emotional harm.

He said there was need for stronger public understanding of online risks and responsible digital behaviour.

Experts say cyber bullying is the use of digital platforms to harass, intimidate or emotionally harm individuals, adding that it goes beyond insults to include more coordinated and damaging forms of abuse.

It includes threats, blackmail, the spread of false information and coordinated attacks aimed at damaging a person’s reputation, dignity or psychological well-being online.

“It sometimes disguises itself as joking and what `Gen Zs` call catching cruise,” Mohammed said.

He said cyber bullying manifests through direct harassment, sexualised comments, threats and intimidation, often amplified by fake accounts used to spread harmful narratives.

He further said that manipulated screenshots and edited content were also used to distort facts and mislead audiences, thereby worsening the impact on victims.

He said individuals hiding behind fake identities often feel emboldened to engage in harassment without fear of consequences or identification.

Mohammed called on social media platforms to strengthen content moderation systems by localising policies and incorporating cultural and language contexts.

He also urged platforms to improve response times and take stronger action against repeat offenders involved in online abuse.

The expert urged government agencies to intensify awareness campaigns on digital rights and protections across communities.

He said reporting systems should be simplified to ensure victims of cyber bullying could easily seek help and access support mechanisms.

Bala further urged consistent enforcement of existing laws to deter online harassment and protect vulnerable internet users.

He advised internet users to report cases of cyber bullying to relevant authorities without delay.

He also encouraged users to support victims of online harassment rather than normalise or dismiss abusive behaviour as entertainment.

“Cybersecurity is no longer just about systems; it is about people, behaviours and accountability,” he said. (NAN).