The advent of the Internet and the increasing prevalence of online communities have created a shift from formal bullying to cyberbullying. The occurrence of cyberbullying has heightened and emerged as a form of harassment that impacts public mental health (Icellioglu, 2014).
Studies have indicated that children have begun to not use their actual identities on the Internet (Icellioglu, 2014). The adoption of unidentified personas has resulted in underdeveloped social-skills, lower levels of self-esteem, higher levels of social anxiety and aggression (Icellioglu, 2014). The development of social anxiety associated with cyberbullying lends to negative biased thoughts regarding self-image (Icellioglu, 2014). Furthermore, the onset of social-anxiety causes individuals to limit or avoid social interaction (Icellioglu, 2014).
The ramifications of cyberbullying should not be ignored in my opinion. It is unfortunate that antagonistic behavior and attitudes have infiltrated online communities. The reality that a certain population cannot escape or not be subjected to anti-social behavior whether it is in person or in the virtual realm is a major problem. The victimization or oppression of youth has profound effects on a developing psyche.
I’m not certain about how to develop strategies to reduce cyberbullying, however, I contend that a collective effort among students, teachers and parents must be made. I think that educators must place an emphasis addressing inappropriate online behavior. Additionally, I think parents have a responsibility to be aware of their child’s online presence. Finally, the youth have a responsibility to report and disapprove cyberbullying attitudes and behavior.
Icellioglu, Serra., & Ozden, S.M. (2014). Cyberbullying: A New kind of peer bullying through online technology and its relationship with aggression and social anxiety. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 4241-4245.
still life
The New Age Bully | Applied Social Psychology (ASP)
I agree that something needs to be done to stop cyberbullying. When done in person, bullying can lead to a number of psychological and emotional problems for the victim. The effects of cyberbullying are the same if not worse. As a result, countless websites are devoted to increasing awareness of this very serious problem. One such site, http://nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-facts/, provides a number of important cyberbullying facts. Three specifically caught my eye. First, approximately 43% of children have been cyberbullied, a quarter of which have had it happen to them on more than one occasion (Cyber Bullying Facts, 2013). Second, cell phones are the primary vehicle used for cyberbullying (Cyber Bullying Facts, 2013). Third, most victims will never tell their parents that they were bullied (Cyber Bullying Facts, 2013). This fact was probably the most disturbing because anti-bullying laws aren’t going to be effective if no one knows a crime has been committed. Parents need to talk to their kids about cyberbullying and encourage them to come to them if anyone is harassing or threatening them online. Of course in order for this to happen, parents must be made aware themselves.
References
Cyber Bullying Facts. (2013, December 15). Retrieved November 7, 2015, from http://nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-facts/