Cyberbullying
Definition and Overview
Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through SMS, text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
History and Evolution
The advent of the internet and the proliferation of digital devices have given rise to a new form of bullying, known as cyberbullying. The term "cyberbullying" was first coined and defined by Canadian educator and anti-bullying activist Bill Belsey. It is now recognized globally and has been incorporated into legislation and policies in many countries.
Forms of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying can take many forms, including:
- Harassment: This involves the bully sending offensive and malicious messages to an individual or a group and is the most common form of cyberbullying.
- Denigration: This form of cyberbullying involves spreading false, malicious, and damaging information about a person to damage their reputation or friendships.
- Flaming: This is a form of bullying that occurs in an online forum or group conversation. It involves the use of vulgar and offensive language to argue or fight.
- Impersonation: This involves the bully pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material to get that person in trouble or danger or damage that person's reputation or friendships.
- Outing and Trickery: This involves sharing someone's secrets or embarrassing information or tricking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information and forwarding it to others.
- Cyberstalking: This involves repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm, harassment, intimidating messages, or engaging in other online activities that make a person afraid for his or her safety.
Causes and Motivations
The motivations behind cyberbullying are varied and complex. Some individuals engage in this behavior for amusement, to feel powerful, to get revenge, or because they are bored. Others may do it because they are angry, for social status, or because they believe they are retaliating. The anonymity that the internet can provide can also be a motivating factor, as it may provide the bully with a sense of detachment and a lack of consequences.
Impact and Consequences
The impact of cyberbullying on victims can be devastating and long-lasting. Victims may experience low self-esteem, increased suicidal ideation, and a variety of emotional responses, including being scared, frustrated, angry, and depressed. In some cases, the effects of cyberbullying can stretch into adulthood.
From a legal perspective, cyberbullying can lead to criminal charges. Many jurisdictions have laws against cyberbullying, and in some cases, charges can be laid under laws related to harassment, stalking, and threatening behavior.
Prevention and Intervention
Prevention and intervention strategies for cyberbullying are varied. They include education about safe internet use and digital citizenship, monitoring of internet use, and the reporting of cyberbullying incidents to authorities. Intervention strategies can involve counseling for victims and perpetrators, mediation between the parties involved, and in some cases, legal action.