The dark side of the use of the internet can have serious complicated effects in several different areas. It can cost financial loss and cause interpersonal as well as emotional distress. An attack on someone in any form can have far-reaching psychological implications. Cybercrime is one of those dark effects which includes online job frauds where false hopes of better employment are offered. Cyberbullying and cyberstalking are other forms of crimes that are common where individuals are severely harassed and followed through apps on different electronic devices. There are also attacks on the internet including phishing where personal bank card details like CVV numbers are stolen and lead to extreme financial loss. Cyber grooming is another internet crime where an offender builds a relationship with a younger person and tricks or pressurizes them to do a sexual act. The immediate reaction of all the victims is that of shock along with anger, worry and extreme fear. The emotional trauma that the individual goes through when his or her personal data is stolen can trigger other negative physical and mental effects. In cases where events of blackmailing are involved can hamper the psychological sanity even more which might even lead to the development of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Here, the victim might experience constant nightmares and flashbacks along with other anxiety symptoms. The series of traumatic experiences can stem from the feelings of the vulnerability of the victims.
Offenders involved in cybercrime often attack behind the screen and so it is similar to being a faceless crime. In many scenarios, the victims do not report email malware and phishing attacks. They dwell in self-blame believing it is due to their weak cybersecurity. In such incidents, the victims attempt to distance themselves from all activities of the internet and isolate themselves. The absolute absence of online participation in recent times is however not feasible so their other social and economic aspects also get hampered for that particular phase. The period of isolation can cause them to feel guilty and can also lead to symptoms of depression where a giving up attitude is formed and a loss of hope arises.
The stress experienced from cyber-crime can also trigger compulsive behaviours including alcohol and drug abuse. This can deteriorate their reasoning power, judgment ability and decision-making skills which can significantly make them stay non-functional for longer periods of time. There are multiple situations where the victims get bullied, maltreated, disrespected, trolled and receive a series of rape threats which pushes them to question their sense of self-worth and identity. The public humiliation brings forth feelings of embarrassment and withdraws their psychological sense of freedom on social media applications. It restricts their way of living, working, interacting and enjoying. In a circumstance where officials cannot find the criminal and justice is not served, a condition of learned helplessness develops. Here the victim believes no matter what they do the loop of cyberattacking will never end. They also experience sleep disorders like insomnia where the constant worry keeps them awake, loss of confidence as well as a brutal cynical attitude is formed where they mistrust all human sincerity and integrity.
It is extremely essential that the victims of cybercrime resort to positive coping mechanisms where they are willing to seek counselling support to understand the intensity of the injustice that has happened to them. Herewith the help of a therapist, they can acknowledge that their associated negative emotions are justified and in doing so feelings of guilt and shame can be decreased. On the other hand, the victims should also be encouraged to engage themselves in meditation and listening to music whenever they feel there is a repetition of the thought patterns of that specific incident. As they tend to isolate themselves from the virtual world, gradual active online social involvement should be encouraged to increase feelings of comfort around the stressor. Behavioural avoidance is another way to alleviate stress by avoiding the source of the exact stressor. Technological support where they can increase digital security could also stand as an assurance of cyber safety. Victim blaming on part of others should be eliminated as victims in times like this need extreme emotional as well as social support of not only the close relatives but also of the community at large.
– Urveez Kakalia & Debanjana Banerjee.