As you know cyberbullying is bullying done electronically. As technology has grown and developed so has cyberbullying. This is a 21st century problem especially facing teens. As much as 9% of children within grades 6-12 become targets of cyberbullying.
The effects of cyberbullying can be traumatic. It’s known that kids who suffer this form of bullying are more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol, get poor grades in school, skip school, suffer more health problems, have lower self-esteem, and even commit suicide.
What makes cyberbullying particularly harsh is that it can happen anywhere, even in the safety of your own home. It attacks via text messages, posts on social media sites, or comes through email. Unlike face-to-face bullying, it’s hard to escape cyberbullying. It can happen 24 hours a day, anywhere, anytime.
As to why cyberbullying has become so prominent, there are different reasons. One reason people turn to this form of cruelty is because they can do it anonymously. They take advantage of the ability the internet provides to disguise their identity. That makes the instigator feel safe and protected, less likely to be caught.
They also don’t have to face their victims and see their reactions. They never see the hurt-filled eyes, crushed expressions, or the tears they cause so they don’t develop empathy for the victims.
Some teens practice cyberbullying because it makes them feel cool, especially if others are doing it. It makes them part of a crowd, part of a team. Peer pressure can also play a role.
It is believed that both popular kids and teens on the social fringe are most likely to practice cyberbullying. The popular kids do it to make themselves feel more powerful and flaunt their status as leaders. The kids who are less popular do it to help boost their own low self-esteem or to make them seem cooler to other more socially successful teens.
No matter why they choose to cyberbully, it is wrong. To learn more about cyberbullying and how to deal with it visit the website Stopbullying.gov.