Today's world fits in the palm of our hands. With just one click, friendship, education, and entertainment are all within reach. Yet behind this convenience, an invisible darkness-cyberbullying-is growing. On social media, mocking someone's clothing, pronunciation, opinion, or body shape has become a source of amusement. What once might have been too shameful to say face-to-face is now a casual comment online.
We often forget how this so-called "normality" destroys the lives of countless young men and women. Some smile while crying inside, while others quietly disappear. Cyberbullying is not a joke-it is a form of psychological abuse. It undermines confidence, disrupts mental balance and can even drive individuals to take their own lives. In Bangladesh, women are among the most frequent victims of such violence on social media.
The solution cannot come overnight. It must begin with education within families. At the same time, strict law enforcement and stronger reporting systems on social media platforms are essential. Above all, we need to restore humanity in the digital world. If we can recognise that even a single word can pierce someone's heart like a knife, perhaps the online world will become a little gentler and safer.
Nusrat Jahan
Student
Jagannath University