THE RISKS TO WHICH CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED IN THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT
THE RISKS TO WHICH CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED IN THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT

Summary/Abstract: In contemporary times, the cyberspace is the environment where socialization takes place, especially for children. In this context, a new form of violence among students, cyberbullying, also known as "internet aggression," has emerged. It is characterized by harassment mediated through electronic forms of contact (mobile phones, computers, laptops, tablets, email, blogs, instant messaging, etc.), particularly prevalent among adolescents. The purpose of this work is to highlight aspects related to the "dark side" of internet usage. Anonymity and disinhibition facilitated by the virtual environment can lead people to say and do things that they wouldn't in real life. The main objective is to detail how online violence has intensified and how harsh it has become. Malice has become an accepted reality, and the conditions of the online environment can turn cruelty into a "competitive sport," with posts quickly escalating in some cases from offense to insult or sadism. Sadistic teasing of children and adolescents represents a "sick sport" for trolls. In the virtual environment, children can interact with "pathological strangers" who take advantage of their innocence and manipulate them, either for amusement or for other equally malicious purposes. The article presents risky games for children, such as the Blue Whale, the Russian Coin, and other challenges they may be exposed to online. Our goal is to underscore the need for clear and well-defined norms regarding the way we use this 'tool,' which is the internet.

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