Threats of violence include sending threatening messages that imply physical harm or intimidation. Such threats can create an atmosphere of fear and anxiety for the victim.
Hate Speech
Hate speech is the use of derogatory or discriminatory language against individuals based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. Hate speech can perpetuate stereotypes and foster a hostile environment.
Harassment
Harassment is related to persistent and unwanted communications, including abusive messages or online comments, that seek to belittle or demean the victim. Harassment can occur through repeated texts, comments, or direct messages that create an overwhelming hostility.
Peer Pressure
Utilizing social influence to coerce someone into behaving in a certain way can involve public shaming or encouraging negative behaviors that the victim may be uncomfortable with.
Bribery
Offering rewards or incentives in exchange for compliance often involves manipulating the victim into sharing personal information or engaging in unwanted actions.
Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse is using psychological tactics to manipulate or control the victim, including gaslighting, spreading rumors, or creating a false narrative that undermines the victim’s reality and self-worth.
Extortion
Extortion is threatening to release sensitive or damaging information about the victim unless certain demands are met. This form of pressure can lead to significant distress and anxiety for the victim.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies such as email, cell phone and text messages, instant messaging, and defamatory personal websites to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others. - Bill Belsey
How to Prevent Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying online. It consists of any of the following actions committed by an individual or group to another individual or group: threats of violence, hate speech, harassment, peer pressure, bribery, psychological abuse, or extortion. Cyberbullying can have a serious detrimental effect on a person’s self-esteem, emotional well-being, and sense of personal safety. As a result, this can lead to the following negative consequences: depression, despondency, self-destructive behavior, and poor performance in school or at work.
Looking at the most recent victims of cyberbullying, both boys and girls are likely to report feeling angry, sad, and embarrassed. Slightly more girls than boys feel frustrated, while significantly more boys are scared as a result of cyberbullying.
We must protect our kids from becoming helpless victims of online harassment.
What We Must Know About Cyberbullying
1. Cyberbullying is a growing trend all over the world 2. Most children do not tell adults when they have been cyberbullied 3. Children as young as five years can become victims of cyberbullying 4. One in four, aged eleven to nineteen, has been threatened via their computers or cell phones, including death threats. [NCH -National Children's Home, UK].
Cyberbullying Prevention Resources
www.stopbullying.gov A U.S. government website that offers information on bullying prevention, including resources specifically addressing cyberbullying.
www.cyberbullying.org This site provides research articles, statistics, and resources related to cyberbullying, including prevention strategies and legal issues.
www.pacer.org/bullying A project of PACER Center, this website offers resources for parents, educators, and students to help prevent bullying, including cyberbullying.
www.thetrevorproject.org This organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, with resources on dealing with cyberbullying and bullying in general.
www.stopcyberbullying.org A resource site focusing specifically on cyberbullying, offering tips for prevention, responses, and resources for victims.
www.connectsafely.org This website provides safety tips and resources for using technology and social media, including sections on cyberbullying and how to address it.
www.netsmartz.org An educational program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offering resources on online safety, including cyberbullying prevention.
www.commonsensemedia.org This nonprofit organization provides media reviews and educational resources, including articles and guides on dealing with cyberbullying.
www.bullying.co.uk A UK-based site offering support and advice for children and young people dealing with bullying, including specific resources on cyberbullying.
www.kidshealth.org This site provides health information for children, parents, and educators, including articles and resources about cyberbullying and its effects.
The above websites offer many resources on cyberbullying, including prevention strategies, support for victims, and educational materials for parents and educators.
The Case of Jessica
Jessica is a sixteen-year-old high school student who enjoys sharing her experiences and thoughts on social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Snapchat. She has a group of close friends and is well-liked at school. However, one day, an incident occurs that drastically changes her experience.
The Incident
After a disagreement with a friend, Jessica's former friend retaliated by posting negative comments about her on social media. These comments include derogatory remarks about Jessica's appearance and personality, claiming that she is "fake" and "not worthy of her friends."
Escalation
As the initial posts gained attention, more students began to join in. Some classmates shared the posts, adding their hurtful comments, and others created a private group chat where they continued to make fun of Jessica. The bullying escalated quickly, with various memes and edited photos of Jessica circulating among her peers.
Emotional Impact
Jessica begins to feel isolated and humiliated. She notices that her friends are avoiding her at school, and she receives text messages from peers calling her names and telling her to "just end it." The constant barrage of negative comments leads to anxiety and depression. Jessica struggles to focus on her studies and starts withdrawing from her social activities.
Seeking Help
Feeling overwhelmed, Jessica confides in her parents about the bullying. They encourage her to report the behavior to the school administration. Jessica speaks to a trusted teacher, who takes her concerns seriously and starts an investigation into the cyberbullying incidents.
School's Response
The school administration conducts meetings with the students involved and supports Jessica. They implement a campaign to raise awareness about cyberbullying, focusing on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students. They also set up workshops for students on the impact of online harassment and the importance of empathy.
Outcome
With the support of her parents and the school, Jessica begins to regain her confidence. She finds solace in art and starts creating pieces reflecting her bullying experiences. Over time, she connects with other students who have faced similar challenges, forming a support group to advocate against cyberbullying.
Conclusion
Jessica's experience illustrates how quickly cyberbullying can escalate and the profound emotional impact it can have on a young person's life. It highlights the importance of intervention from parents, educators, and peers in addressing and preventing cyberbullying. By raising awareness and promoting a culture of kindness and respect, communities can work towards eliminating the harmful effects of cyberbullying and supporting those who are affected.
Here are five authentic references related to cyberbullying that can provide insights, research findings, and resources relevant to cases like Jessica's:
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2020).Cyberbullying: An update and synthesis of the research. In K. J. V. C. Van der Meer (Ed.), Cyberbullying: A guide to prevention and intervention (pp. 1-20). Routledge.
This chapter offers an updated overview of research on cyberbullying, including its prevalence, effects, and effective intervention strategies.
Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., & Schroeder, A. N. (2019). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological Bulletin, 145(2), 116-146.
This meta-analysis examines various aspects of cyberbullying among youth, including psychological impacts and differences between traditional and cyberbullying.
Beran, T., & Li, Q. (2021). Cyberbullying and academic performance: A review of the literature. Computers in Human Behavior, 122, 106856.
This article explores the relationship between cyberbullying and its impact on academic performance, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll it takes on victims.
Mishna, F., Cook, C., Gadalla, T., Daciuk, J., & Solomon, S. (2010).Cyber bullying: A perspective from a developmental, ecological, and systems theory.Children and Youth Services Review, 32(1), 144-153.
This paper discusses the complexities of cyberbullying through various theoretical lenses, providing insights into its causes and potential interventions.
National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). (2021).Indicators of school crime and safety: 2020. U.S. Department of Education.
This report provides data and statistics on various forms of school crime, including bullying and cyberbullying, offering insights into the prevalence and impact of these issues in educational settings.
These references provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of cyberbullying, its effects on individuals like Jessica, and the broader context of this significant social issue.
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