Verywell / Nez Riaz
Cyberbullying refers to the use of digital technology to cause harm to other people.
In general, cyberbullying is a recent issue with increasing numbers of people using the Internet.
However, more personal cyberbullies will operate through email, texting, or direct messaging.
Verywell / Nez Riaz
Intention to harm
Cyberbullies generally have the intention to cause harm when they engage in online bullying.
However, bullying can still take place without intention if a victim reasonably perceives actions to be harmful.
Repetition
Repetition is a hallmark characteristic of cyberbullying.
This is especially true in the case of sharing personal information or photos as a form of cyberbullying.
Thepower differentialcan be due to the bully having more status, wealth, popularity, talent, etc.
Cyberbullying can be severe and relentless, and the victim often has little control to stop the bullying.
Publicity
Finally, another trait of cyberbullying is that it sometimes involves the use of publicity.
Forms of Cyberbullying
What are the various forms of cyberbullying?
Below are the types of cyberbullying that exist.
Why Do People Cyberbully?
Why do people engage in cyberbullying?
There can be numerous different factors that lead to someone becoming a cyberbully.
This punch in of cyberbullying would typically be anonymous.
Why is this the case?
Why would someone bully others online when they would never do that in their everyday life?
There are multiple possible explanations for this behavior.
A person can bully others online and remain completely anonymous.
Clearly, this is not possible with traditional bullying.
This might mean that you are physically larger than them.
It might mean that you are more popular than them.
Or, it might mean that you have some sort of power imbalance over them.
In contrast, anyone can be a cyberbully.
There is no need to have physical dominance or popularity.
Anyone with access to the Internet can get started.
Friends are defined loosely online, which creates a situation that makes it very easy to bully others.
Unlike real life encounters, online bullying and the Internet never really shut down and bullying may be unrelenting.
This punch in of bullying can go on for an extended period of time.
People who have large followings on social media often tend to become targets for cyberbullies.
Let’s take a look at each of these issues separately.
It can be mildly annoying to severely threatening.
This can be done using screenshots if necessary.
Ask your child to forward this information to you so that you have records of everything.
In the case of extreme bullying or threats, you should also report the bullying behavior to the police.
Finally, it’s important to reassure your child that they are not to blame for the bullying online.
Some victims may feel that their behavior created the problem or that they are somehow to blame.
For this reason, it’s important to ensure your child knows that what happened is not their fault.
Take screenshots and keep folders on your setup with evidence of the cyberbullying.
The best course of action will be to ignore the cyberbullying as much as possible.
Oftentimes, these victims are emotionally distraught and unable to find help.
Some potential ideas for initiatives are listed below.
Kids and teens who are cyberbullied are stilllearning how to regulate emotionsand deal with social situations.
Cyberbullying at this age could have lasting permanent effects.
Mental health resources should be put in place to help victims of cyberbullying manage their mental health.
Schools are the point of contact for parents trying to help their children who are being cyberbullied.
For this reason, schools should have programs and protocols in place to immediately and swiftly deal with cyberbullying.
Parents should not have to ask multiple times for help without receiving it.
What If You Are the Cyberbully?
What happens if you are the cyberbully yourself?
Let’s consider each of these and what you could do.
For example, if you struggle with anger or aggression, you might benefit from ananger management program.
However, you could have a go at channel your energy into different pursuits.
It could be that you have unresolved anger that needs to be taken out in a different way.
You may also feel more powerful when you bully, which helps you to stop feeling like a victim.
After all, you were once a victim yourself, and you know how that feels.
What do you hope to achieve from your cyberstalking?
Or that everyone else is out there enjoying life while you are alone.
In this case, find ways to start building up your in-person social connections.
Join a club, volunteer somewhere, ortake up a hobbyto meet other people like yourself.
Certainly, lots of people are bored in the world but they never cyberbully.
Take up a hobby, learn a second language, or find something to do.
If you are struggling, you’re able to visit the following.
Finally, if you are a cyberbully yourself, it’s never too late to change.
Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center.Bullying statistics.
Pew Research Center.A majority of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying.
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McLoughlin L, Hermens D.Cyberbullying and social connectedness.Front Young Minds.
2018;6:54. doi:10.3389/frym.2018.00054
Nixon CL.Current perspectives: The impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health.Adolesc Health Med Ther.
2014;5:143-158. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S36456
American Psychological Association.Beware of cyberbullying.
From the playground to “Insta”.
