CYBERBULLYING
1. Introduction: Cyber bullying is a term that has been quite prevalent since
the widespread of social media and the use of digital technology. It refers to the
use of electronic communication to bully an individual or imposing negative
emotional impact on them through sms, texts or social media. It may involve
disclosing someone else's private or sensitive information, which could be
embarrassing or humiliating.
2. Forms of cyberbullying:
• flaming: It is transmission of angry or rude messages online.
• harassment: It the action of repeatedly sending insulting or threatening
messages.
• cyberstalking: the repeated use of electronic communications
to harass or frighten someone, for example by sending threatening emails
and making them being concerned about their safety.
• denigration: it is the act of spreading cruel rumours and attacking
someone’s reputation online.
• masquerading: Pretending to be someone else and sharing information
to damage a person’s reputation is known as masquerading.
• outing: exposing a person's private information that was shared in
confidence
comes under outing.
• exclusion: purposefully excluding one person from an online group, like a
chat queue or game.
3.prevalence: Multiple studies have shown that cyberbullying is mostly
prevalent among students of high school and university due to increased
internet and ICT use. Frequent and prolonged internet access increases
vulnerability to cyberbullying. The prevalence of cyberbullying in schools
ranges from 10% to 53%, while in college students, it ranges from 28% to
45%. It does not necessarily mean that the youth are only targeted by
cyber bullying, but other groups of people can also become a target of
victimization.
4.Why some people engage in cyberbullying?
Some people engage in cyberbullying due to anonymity and the absence
of repercussions. Reason that is often presented by people to why
cyberbullying takes place is something that is called “the disinhibition
effect” which refers to a behaviour associated with decline in concerns of
self presentation and judgement of others, being anonymous makes them
feel ‘inivisble’ so that they are less afraid to get criticized. The behaviour
of cyberbullies often stems from their own low self esteem and trouble
empathizing with those who get hurt.
5. Psychological consequences and severe negative impact of
cyberbullying:
The study findings of researchers have demonstrated that victims of cyber
bullying face damage to their self-esteem, academic achievement and
emotional well-being. Studies of school-age cyber victims indicate
heightened risk of depression and psychosomatic symptoms such as
headaches, abdominal pain and sleeplessness. In some cases, the
consequences become tragic as the victims commit suicide after facing
relentless acts of cyberbullying.
6. Prevention:
Always update your privacy settings to make sure that your
information is not available to each and every person online. Its
important to update ethe settings frequently since the sites tend to
make few changes in them every now and then.
Never share your personal information online. This kind of
information become a tool for cyberbullies to use against you or
even blackmail you.
Report and block the accounts from which you may be receiving
hateful remarks.
Spreading awareness about the negative consequences of cyber
bullying may lead to its decrease.
Empathy training can also be done on adolescents to understand
and feel others’ emotions even in cyberspace where non-verbal
cues are absent so that they do not engage in further harmful
activities like these.
CONCLUSION
Cyberbullying significantly affects mental wellbeing of targeted individuals.
Unlike traditional bullying, its impact is amplified by technology, enabling
permanence, wide reach, anonymity, and disinhibition, which reduce offenders'
accountability. Combating cyberbullying requires a multifaceted approach,
including fostering empathy, boosting self-esteem and encouraging supportive
relationships. Communities, parents and schools must also collaborate to teach
pupils about responsible digital behaviour and establishing a culture of
awareness and responsibility. Reinforcing laws and support systems, especially in
developing countries, is crucial. By understanding its causes, effects, and
preventive measures, we can work toward a safer and more inclusive online
environment.
