Cyberbullying has been recognized as a critical public health concern in the United States by the CDC. It is considered a digitized version of peer-to-peer aggression, which has become the norm as technological advancements and availability allows great access of adolescents to online communication platforms (Espelage et al., 2018). Research indicates that 59% of US teens have experienced a form of cyberbullying, with the majority (42%) facing offensive name-calling and a lesser amount (32%) are a victim of false rumors spread online (Anderson, 2018).
Online bullying can have worrying effects and consequences on victims. Youth that experiences online harassment has report health problems such as difficulty with sleep, frequent headaches, and abdominal pains.
Psychological problems and symptoms of conditions including stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation are common (Selkie, Fales, & Moreno, 2015). Both victims and perpetrators suffer from self-esteem, loneliness, poor life satisfaction, which, in turn, leads to conduct problems, substance abuse, and emotional instability. Participants and victims of cyberbullying are likely to experience poor performance in academics and potentially experience far-reaching effects such as lackluster success in jobs and need for psychiatric medication later in life (Lancaster, 2018).
It is important to consider that although there are similarities in the causes, process, and consequences between real-world and online bullying, the electronic medium has unique features which make this so challenging to address. Online presence results in a limitless audience in the public domain, the permanent mark of the bullying since it is impractical to delete all records of something from the Internet, and the numerous methods of anonymity which can be employed by the bully.
The Internet is so expansive and a tremendous part of a modern person’s life, it essentially destroys any limits on time and space where an individual can be bullied (Selkie et al., 2015). Referring back to the aspect of repetition, harm, and intent cyberbullying amplifies these aspects, which can have much more profound effects on the developing psyche of adolescent victims in particular.
It is difficult to pinpoint a solution to such a complex and abstract issue. A range of interventions has been implemented or encouraged to curb cyberbullying. The primary is parental control and filtering, which allows identifying early any exposure to only bullying. Online platforms have become actively participating by also filtering and removing content, improving reporting guidelines, and implementing stricter control and regulation policies.
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Providing educational materials and opening safety centers are also effective solutions (Topcu-Uzer & Tanrıkulu, 2018). Comprehensive programs in schools meant to normalize behavior, influence attitudes, and shape healthy social norms and communication, along with emphasizing the responsibility and consequences of negative online presence, have also proven effective (Lancaster, 2018).
The provided evidence suggests the significant extent of online bullying in the modern digital world. The effects and consequences on victims can be profound. It is also evident that the current systems in place to prevent cyberbullying are lacking. Going forward, as younger generations raised in the digital age become active online, policy and protective measures must be implemented to limit the impact and presence of cyberbullying.
Anderson, M. (2018). A majority of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. Web.
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