Cyber bullying, also known as cyber harassment or online bullying is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. It is now a growing trend, especially among adolescents. Cyber bullying mostly occurs on social media sites (facebook, twitter, intagram, snapchat).
Cyber bullying can exist in various forms such as posting rumors, threats, sexual remarks, a victim’s personal information, etc. One of the most dangerous forms of cyber bullying is harassment. Harassment messages can have serious effects on a child’s wellbeing. The unpleasant messages sent can lower the child’s self-esteem and confidence. Another form of cyber bullying is impersonation. This is when someone creates a fake profile in another person’s name or hacks into that person’s account. The cyber bully impersonates the victim and ruins the victim’s image and reputation. The cyber bully may then go on to send messages to provoke the users to attack the victim. The bully may also leak personal information that the victim wants no one to know. Just like all forms of bullying, cyber bullying causes psychological, emotional and physical stress to the victim.
Children that are bullied are likely to: drop out of school, receive poor grades, have low self-esteem and even use alcohol and drugs. Cyber bullying can also lead to suicidal thoughts, sometimes persisting into adulthood. When a child is expressing anger or anxiety after going online, it might be one of the signs that he/she is being cyber bullied. The next few paragraphs will tell you some ways to stop cyber bullying; Every psychologist will tell you that the best way to help a child to solve a problem is by having a conversation first. Be patient and ask the child about the problem in general. Questions such as: what is cyber bullying, does he/she know someone who is being bullied, what he/she should do if they notice acts of bullying. This way you will see how much the child is involved in the situation and the side that the child is on (whether the child is the bully or the victim). Another way is by monitoring online activities. Cyber bullying has at least one advantage, which is that if noticed on your child’s mobile device, the evidence can be saved.
There are also apps, which can block and control the child’s phone remotely through your PC or personal cell phone, all thanks to technology. The best and most effective measure to be taken against Cyber bullying is by creating a community for both adults and students to send a unified message against cyber bullying. Establish a school safety committee that will control and discuss the problems of cyber bullying in the society. Policies and rules can be created in order to eradicate cyber bullying for good. Cyber bullying is a very bad and unacceptable behaviour. If you or anyone else is involved in such a horrible act as the bully, PLEASE STOP!!!
