CYBER-BULLY cases, some of which have resulted in fatal consequences in other countries, are on the rise in Singapore.

What's more, lawyers my paper spoke to say that with the widespread use of the Internet here, we can expect an increase in the number of cyber-crimes.

Mr Adrian Tan, 42, a director of Drew & Napier, told my paper: "I handled twice the number of cyber-bully cases this year as compared to last year."

A 2006 survey revealed that 25 per cent of 3,488 Singaporean students polled admitted to having been victimised online, said a Straits Times report in April.

The survey was done by the Coalition Against Bullying For Children & Youth. Consultant psychiatrist Ken Ung, who practises at the Adam Road Medical Centre, said that cyber-bullies are mostly "insecure and angry people who are too afraid to do anything in real life".

There is also a group "with psychopathic tendencies" who are "truly sadistic and take pleasure in causing pain to others".

And in rare cases, Dr Ung said: "Revenge is a motive." But he added that, generally, "these bullies are usually not psychotic".

Cyber-bully victims, on the other hand, experience feelings such as "violation, anger, frustration and depression", he said.

In cases where victims know the identity of their attackers, Dr Ung said victims "at least feel that they can do something about it or at least have the choice to".

However, in cases where the attackers are anonymous, "the victims feel powerless".

He said: "That feeling of a lack of control may make them feel depressed and frustrated."

In a number of cases overseas, this feeling of depression has resulted in suicide.

cheryll@sph.com.sg

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