The Epidemic of Cyberbullying

By Pierce K. Kozlowski

Cyberbullying has become commonplace in the digital sphere, and that is no thanks to the toxic mindset of many internet dwellers who exploit the freedoms and capabilities of the internet to create such a hostile environment for other users.

Specifically, cyberbullying is bullying someone in the online world. Furthermore, the far-and-wide-reaching scope of cyberbullying exists across major social interactive online platforms. According to stopbullying.gov, cyberbullying happens mostly over “Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok;” text messaging apps; the instant messaging features built into large social media platforms; online digital distribution platforms like Reddit, Discord, and Twitch; and online gaming communities.

This type of e-bullying has consequences on the victim, and those consequences are devastating. Sherri Gordon, a researcher for the Verywell Family publication, makes that very point, explaining that “Cyberbullying . . . may be particularly damaging.” The type of effects this cyberbullying victimization has on the victim are “humiliation; isolation; anger; powerlessness; depression and anxiety; low self-esteem; academic issues; suicidal ideations; substance abuse; disordered eating; and sleep disturbances.” Cyberbullying is a widespread phenomenon, which poses a threat to the well being of cyberbully victims. And our children are the most common target in cyberbullying’s crosshairs—proving catastrophic to the mental health and development of the next generation.

Fortunately, there are things both parents and teens can do to mitigate the effects of and disparage the efforts of cyberbullies. To prevent children or teens from cyberbullying others, the Bullying Statistics publication recommends that parents “talk to teens about cyberbullying, explaining that it is wrong and can have serious consequences,” and make a rule to confiscate their device if they cyberbully. To help teens who have been cyberbullied, encourage them to inform an authority when they have or someone else has been cyberbullied; cyberbullying violates anti-harassment statutes, and it therefore ought to be held to the legal standard that it is has been set to. Furthermore, encourage teens to keep the messages and threats cyberbullies send to show as proof to authorities (or to use as evidence in court if it comes to that). Lastly, block the number, account, profile, or email address of the harassing party.

Cyberbullying victimization is disastrous for mental health, and it disproportionately affects younger and more vulnerable demographics; but fortunately, it is entirely manageable and preventable. Taking the individual action to inform others on how to prevent cyberbullying at the outset prevents cyberbullying from metastasizing into something prolonged and actively harmful to the victimized party. By knowing these methods yourself, you can take action to protect your mental health and the health of others, and prevent cyberbullies from having any power over the victim—effectively cutting off the oxygen that cyberbullies require to live, and negating the tactic they use to harm.

That is why cyberbullying ought to be examined and handled in a serious capacity, and these are actions that you can take, as an individual, to help progress the endeavor of permanently cancelling cyberbullying itself.

References

1. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). “What Is Cyberbullying.” StopBullying.gov, 5 Nov. 2021, www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it.

2. Bennett, Britney. “Cyberbullying Among School-Aged Adolescents and Teens: A Policy Review and Recommendations for Georgia .” Georgia State University, 17 May 2017,

scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1291&context=iph_theses.

3. “Cyber Bullying Statistics.” Bullying Statistics, 7 July 2015, www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html.

4. Gordon, Sherri. “Learn to Recognize the Real-Life Effects of Cyberbullying on Children.” Verywell Family, Verywell Family, 25 Apr. 2021,

www.verywellfamily.com/what-are-the-effects-of-cyberbullying-460558.

5. “i-Safe Inc.” --SAFE Inc., 2004, auth.isafe.org/outreach/media/media_cyber_bullying.

Marie, Ann. “Home.” AnnMarie Foundation ~ A Life To Remember, AnnMarie Foundation, www.annmarie.foundation/youth-suicide/cyber-bullying.