Causes And Effects Of Cyberbullying

The internet has created an entirely new world of social communications particularly for youths. There are no more barriers. Family, friends, young and old may now stay in touch with just about everyone, anywhere in the world through the use of email, text messaging, web chat, and instant messaging. Although, most interactions are friendly and in good nature, there are some that are not. The use of technology as a tool to antagonize, torment and intimidate others is now a widespread problem. Sadly, this form of bullying like all others is most common among children and young adults. Research done by Cox Communications on children between 13 thru 18 year-olds, 25 percent said they were cyber-bullied whether online or by cell phone (Cox Com. 2009). Also in 2007, the National Crime Prevention Council reported cyber-bullying as a problem that affected approximately half of all American teens. Since it is popular among this group of American teens, then it is safe look at some of possible reason cyber bullies of this age group are encouraged to take part in such activity.

Cyberbullying has become a prevalent problem over the past decade in the United States. This is due to the radical updates in technology and the easy access that teens have to these electronic resources. Whether at school, a local coffee shop, or in their own home, teens can gain access to computers, and are able to use them for cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online or through any electronic device such as a computer or cellphone. There are many different ways to bully someone through these devices. This includes text messages, emails, direct messages on social media, comments on social media profiles, and much more.

With the introduction of Internet, bullying has taken a new form. Most of the victims of traditional bullying and cyberbullying are teens and other youth; they are easy targets as they are the new to the internet and do not know much about what happens online (Campbell, 2005). Bullying is a risk factor for social and emotional change among children. Most bully victims range in age from 15 to 18 years, with the perpetrators turning towards technology to harass the intended victims (Gradinger & Strohmeier, 2009). Technology does not only include social networking sites on the Internet, it can also include the use of other forms of technology like cell phones, pagers, email, SMS and instant messaging (Seals & Young, 2004). Cyberbullies find their targets easily, 24/7, with technology. It becomes easy for them to find and harass their intended targets (Hinduja & Patchin, 2007; Juvonen & Gross, 2008; Dooley,

Cyberbullying happen 24/7 on phones , laptops , tablets and many other technology things that young people use today. Cyberbullying takes away your privacy, sharing it with others. Four in ten teens have experienced online bullying; girls are twice as likely to be victims and criminals of cyberbullying (Phillips). Girls are more likely to engage in social sabotage of other people (Phillips). Girls have the mindset of trying to be better than others and are willing to do anything to advance them. Boys are more likely to bully girls and other males who are not as confident (Phillips). Boys whether bullying these type of people so things would not happen to them. Cyberbullying is mostly done by 15 and 16 year olds (Phillips). This is age group when teens uses technology heavily. The more people post on social sites and the more they share their information the easier it may be to get attacked by a cyberbully. Cyberbullying is real and often more frightening than face to face bullying (Phillips). Similar to stalking victims can often feel helpless and isolate and ashamed, and not willing to share with friends or parents about what is going on (Shpantzer). The groups feared that they will be restricted from electronic devices if they told parents or that they might overreact (Phillips). This should not keep anybody from telling someone how someone is treating them.

Those who have bullied someone via the internet or mobile phone in the recent past often tends to be a young adolescent. These young adolescents also tend to be the victims and bystanders of cyberbullying, and are often the oppressor in traditional bullying. However, cyberbullying tends to be more manifested in middle schools, compared to upper secondary schools such as high schools and universities. Cyberbullying generally impacts its victims in a negative way, and unfortunately, cyber victims often choose not to tell anyone of their experiences brought upon by cyberbullying. With that being

Bullying that occurs through social media, cell phones, tablets, or computers is called cyberbullying. Studies have shown that 1 in every 4 teens recieved some form of cyberbullying and that number continues to grow. Another survey showed that approximately half of the kids that took the survey had been cyberbullied through social and digital media. These studies and surveys are alarming many law enforcers, schools, and especially parents around the world because this is becoming a serious problem. The parents and families of these teens are effected most due to the emotional stress cyberbullying can put on someone. A person that is being cyberbullied may show different signs such as their grades slipping, being upset or angry after using social media, mood swings, loss of apetite, and more.

Over the span of ten years 15,000 middle and high school students have been surveyed on cyberbullying. Out of that 15,000 students 3750 of them have been victims of cyberbullying in their life, 1350 were in the last 30 days of being surveyed. Also 2400 admitted to cyberbullying another person, and 900 of them were in the last 30 days. These numbers are incredible too high considering cyberbullying victims are twice as likely to commit suicide as traditional bullied victims according to a study conducted by Sameer Hinduja co-author and founder of the Cyberbullying Research Center. Another study conducted by Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation showed that children age’s eight to 18 access to technology has increased drastically since 1999. “Today, 93% of children ages 8 to 18 have computers at home, 66% have cell phones, and 76% own another multimedia device, such as an iPod” (Holladay, Jennifer). This proves that victims of

Everyday millions of preteens and young adults log on to the internet to complete various amounts of tasks. With the new age of technology many young adults have easier access to the web and social media than their past generations. “Over 80 percent of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for cyber bullying” (Cyberbullying Research Center, 2010). The World Wide Web and social media have opens up a black hole to psychological and emotional stress for some young adults. Cyber bullying is defined as a form of teen violence, torment and harassing via the use of technology to bully another person. One out of five young adults has experienced cyber bullying to the extreme (Hackett, 2013). Cyber bullying may not seem like it is a problem in the young community but it is a huge problem. Cyber bullying can have a huge effect on a person it can led to a numerous amount of outcomes such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and even suicide.

With the use of technology becoming increasingly, students who use it to bully others ends up taking it to a whole another level by bullying outside of the school. Cyberbullying is defined as the use of technology such as e-mail, cell phones, and the internet by an individual or group of students who uses very bad behavior to harm another student (Bauman, 2008). Through cyberbullying, students will use verbal abuse to harass their peers and it is more common today than it was a couple of years ago. Since cyberbullying happens mostly outside of the school, students that are being bullied can still report the incident to a teacher, school counselor, parent, and the principal’s office. Since the use of cyberbullying is increasing, it seems that no one is doing enough to keep this from happening. For instance, students that are being cyberbullied are still feeling neglected due to the lack amount of help that they are receiving. Also, suicide rates for bullied students continue to keep going up as well.

Cyberbullying is any bullying that takes place with the use of electronic technology; cell phones, computers, social media, texting, and other electronic methods of communication. Cyberbullying typically happens to teenagers, when it happens to an adult is considered cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Cyberbullying is different than in person bullying because it can happen anytime, victims find it hard to escape, the bully can be anonymous, and the bully can be anywhere in the world. Children who are being cyberbullied are also most likely being bullied in person.

While cyberbullying affects each child differently, there has been a clear correlation between victims and non-victims and their self-esteem. In one study, bullied victims had less self-esteem than those who were not bullied online. Additionally, it was reported that victims of cyberbullying were thirty percent more likely to think about committing suicide (Cyberbullying Research Center, 2012). With the lack of parent supervision, it was found that those who spent more than three hours per school day on social networks were 110% more at risk to be a cyberbully victim as compared those who do not spend as much time online (Gilkerson, 2012). What may be worse is the fact that majority of those bullied online do not tell their parents or an adult about what occurred. Despite the fact that most adolescents state that bullying occurs more offline then online, cyberbullying is still a real and large threat to the youth of America (Lenhart, 2007).

The advancements in modern technology pose a new challenge in today’s society. It affects not only students, but adults and teachers alike in contesting what is commonly known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can be defined as the willful and repeated use of cellphones, computers, and other electronic communication devices to harass and threaten others. (McQuade, 2006) Because we live in a cyber society, nearly anyone can become a victim of cyber bullying. It is important to distinguish the difference between cyber harassment and cyberbullying. The sole difference is the victim’s age. Cyberbullying usually involves a minor and happens within a school environment, whereas cyber harassment involves all age groups. Cyberbullying is becoming a bigger focus in state legislatures. Victims of cyberbullying may experience the same effects as children that are bullied in person. However, cyberbullying can seem more extreme to its victims because of several factors. One of which: It can be anonymous. Cyberbullies often disguise themselves through computers and email addresses that do not identify who they are. Being unaware of who is responsible for bullying messages can add to a victim 's anxiety. Cyberbullying and cyber harassment allows a bully to remain anonymous if they chose. When bullying occurs through the internet, harassing messages can easily go undetected. In fact, many people who are victims of cyber bullying do not inform others. In many cases the acts are virtually

Think back to a time when the internet was a place where you can connect with friends or family members you haven’t seen in years, watch countless hours of animals doing funny things, work at home or even to do research on an upcoming school project. While you are doing those things you don’t expect to be bullied and ridiculed online by others but it happens more than you think. Cyberbullying is one of the biggest issues we face in our society today. We see it every day and it has affected the lives of so many internet users, majority of them being young teens. Cyberbullying, by definition, is when people use the internet to bully others by sending intimidating or threatening messages. It comes in many shapes and forms and sometimes we don’t even realize we are being bullied online because we have become so accustomed to it. Cyberbullying can happen anywhere online, for example, websites like Facebook and YouTube or really anywhere that allows you to post pictures, comments or videos that can hurt another person emotionally. Now that social media is on the rise and continuing to grow in popularity, cyberbullying is at its all-time high.

Cyber bullying is the use of the electronic devices to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. It also involves the use of communication tools such as text messages, social media sites, websites and chats, (Nancy, 2007). Our youth may not have the experience or education of the consequences bullying can have, this can lead to serious concerns of getting into danger and suffering as they mature throughout their life.

Cyberbullying is another threat that children face when logging onto the internet or social media accounts. Cyberbullying and cyber threats are serious problems in our nation today. Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person by sending messages in an intimidating or threatening way. Seven to ten young people between the ages of 13 and 22 have been a victim of cyberbullying. 87% of today’s youth have been witness to cyberbullying and close to 34% of