Cyberbullying has been an issue since the emergence of social media. It involves using electronic devices to intimidate, threaten, or bully others. Unlike in-person bullying, cyberbullying offers a few unique features. For one, it allows bullies to remain anonymous, resulting in harsher and longer-lasting torment. It is also often more public than traditional bullying, as cyberbullying can reach a broader audience. Moreover, cyberbullying has the potential to cause more permanent damage. Online actions and words cannot be entirely erased, leading to potential harm to both the bully’s and victim’s reputation. One of the most common forms of cyberbullying is body shaming, which involves making critical comments about someone else’s body shape or size. This type of cyberbullying can occur on any social media platform. While it’s normal to experience self-doubt and shame at times, body shaming can amplify these feelings and make them constant and overwhelming. According to the Girls’ Attitudes Survey of 2016, 47 percent of girls aged 11-21 stated that their appearance held them back and limited their potential. Unfortunately, body shaming has become a routine part of many individuals’ daily experience, with 94 percent of teenage girls reporting experiencing it, and 57 percent of 12-20-year-olds stating that their appearance was the cause of their bullying.
Pepe
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated cyberbullying or electronic aggression as a serious public health threat. It can be a contributing factor to new psychological or somatic symptoms without a clear cause, or a decline in academic performance. Therefore, pediatricians should be trained to support and care for the social and developmental well-being of children, including addressing cyberbullying. The term “cyberbullying” was coined in 2000 by a Canadian website owner dedicated to preventing traditional bullying. Tokunaga defined cyberbullying as “any behavior using electronic or digital media by individuals or groups that repeatedly communicate hostile or aggressive messages intended to harm or discomfort others.” This definition emphasizes important aspects of cyberbullying, including the use of technology, hostile behavior, intent to cause harm, and repetition, which scholars consider crucial to the definition.
Moharem
Cyberbullying involves using electronic devices, such as mobile phones, computers, and tablets, to spread negative, harmful, or derogatory content about an individual. This can include sharing personal and private information with the intent to embarrass or humiliate the person. Common platforms for cyberbullying include social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, as well as text messages, instant messaging features, chat rooms, and emails.
While technology has brought many benefits, it has also given rise to cyberbullying, which affects 1 in 4 children and is committed by 1 in 6 children. Parents must take steps to prevent cyberbullying, as it can have devastating emotional effects on children and teenagers.
Individuals who persistently engage in cyberbullying can be accused of harassment, which is evaluated based on the severity of the actions. Penalties for harassment vary by country, but in New York, bullying that aims to anger the victim but does not cause a reasonable fear of physical harm is prosecuted as second-degree harassment and can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to 14 days.
However, if the cyberbullying causes a reasonable fear of physical harm, it may be classified as first-degree harassment, which carries a maximum fine of $500, months in prison, and 1 year probation. If the perpetrator has a history of harassment, they may be charged with aggravated harassment in the first or second degree, which carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and 1 year imprisonment, or a maximum fine of $5,000 and 4 years in prison, respectively.
Aggravated harassment charges can also be brought if the cyberbullying is motivated by hate, such as racism, sexism, or homophobia. Cyberbullying victims can also file a lawsuit against their harasser for compensation for emotional trauma, therapy costs, and other damages.
Murat
Using electronic means to bully or harass others is known as cyberbullying or cyberharassment, and it has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, due to the expansion of the digital sphere and technological advancements. Harmful behavior can include posting rumors, threats, sexual remarks, personal information, or hate speech. Cyberbullying is often an extension of traditional bullying, with most victims having experienced both forms. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences, including lower self-esteem and increased suicidal ideation. Awareness of cyberbullying has risen in the 2010s, leading to the passing of laws to combat it in some US states and other countries. Cyberbullying has been found to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic when more people were online, but monitoring by parents may have reduced its incidence among Canadian youth. Internet trolling and cyberstalking are other forms of online bullying, and not all negative interactions online are considered cyberbullying. Some interactions can result in peer pressure, which can have positive, negative, or neutral effects.
Rebeka
The advancements in technology have led to the emergence of new problems, such as cyberbullying, which involves intentionally harassing others through social media and other online platforms. This harmful behavior can have an immediate and damaging impact on a person’s life. Cyberbullying can take place on various online forums and social media sites and can be carried out by both strangers and people known to the victim. It is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly, as it can have dangerous effects on the victim’s mental health and well-being.
Victims of cyberbullying may experience depression, self-harm, and a loss of self-confidence due to derogatory comments and attacks on their insecurities. Cyberbullying can also tarnish a person’s reputation through the spread of false rumors, which can destroy lives and cause people to question the victim’s credibility.
Preventing cyberbullying is crucial and should be monitored and addressed at both individual and authoritative levels. There are various ways to tackle cyberbullying, including education, creating safe spaces online, reporting and blocking cyberbullies, and enforcing laws and policies that criminalize cyberbullying. It is important to take action to prevent cyberbullying and create a safer online community for all.
To prevent cyberbullying, there are several steps that can be taken. Firstly, it is crucial to teach children to never share personal information online, as this can make them vulnerable to cyberbullying. Secondly, it’s important to avoid posting explicit photos and discussing personal matters on social media, limiting the information shared to trusted friends and family only. It’s also crucial to keep internet passwords and account details private and not to click on suspicious links. Children should be educated about cyberbullying and taught what is right and wrong. Awareness is key to preventing online harassment and parents should monitor their children’s online activities and limit their usage. Finally, incidents of cyberbullying should be reported immediately to prevent further harm.
Bobi