the danger of cyberbullying and how to prevent it essay

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Cyberbullying: Everything You Need to Know

• Cyberbullying
• How to Respond

Cyberbullying is the act of intentionally and consistently mistreating or harassing someone through the use of electronic devices or other forms of electronic communication (like social media platforms).

Because cyberbullying mainly affects children and adolescents, many brush it off as a part of growing up. However, cyberbullying can have dire mental and emotional consequences if left unaddressed.

This article discusses cyberbullying, its adverse effects, and what can be done about it.

FangXiaNuo / Getty Images

Cyberbullying Statistics and State Laws

The rise of digital communication methods has paved the way for a new type of bullying to form, one that takes place outside of the schoolyard. Cyberbullying follows kids home, making it much more difficult to ignore or cope.

Statistics 

As many as 15% of young people between 12 and 18 have been cyberbullied at some point. However, over 25% of children between 13 and 15 were cyberbullied in one year alone.

About 6.2% of people admitted that they’ve engaged in cyberbullying at some point in the last year. The age at which a person is most likely to cyberbully one of their peers is 13.

Those subject to online bullying are twice as likely to self-harm or attempt suicide . The percentage is much higher in young people who identify as LGBTQ, at 56%.

Cyberbullying by Sex and Sexual Orientation

Cyberbullying statistics differ among various groups, including:

• Girls and boys reported similar numbers when asked if they have been cyberbullied, at 23.7% and 21.9%, respectively.
• LGBTQ adolescents report cyberbullying at higher rates, at 31.7%. Up to 56% of young people who identify as LGBTQ have experienced cyberbullying.
• Transgender teens were the most likely to be cyberbullied, at a significantly high rate of 35.4%.

State Laws 

The laws surrounding cyberbullying vary from state to state. However, all 50 states have developed and implemented specific policies or laws to protect children from being cyberbullied in and out of the classroom.

The laws were put into place so that students who are being cyberbullied at school can have access to support systems, and those who are being cyberbullied at home have a way to report the incidents.

Legal policies or programs developed to help stop cyberbullying include:

• Bullying prevention programs
• Cyberbullying education courses for teachers
• Procedures designed to investigate instances of cyberbullying
• Support systems for children who have been subject to cyberbullying 

Are There Federal Laws Against Cyberbullying?

There are no federal laws or policies that protect people from cyberbullying. However, federal involvement may occur if the bullying overlaps with harassment. Federal law will get involved if the bullying concerns a person’s race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, or religion.

Examples of Cyberbullying 

There are several types of bullying that can occur online, and they all look different.

Harassment can include comments, text messages, or threatening emails designed to make the cyberbullied person feel scared, embarrassed, or ashamed of themselves.

Other forms of harassment include:

• Using group chats as a way to gang up on one person
• Making derogatory comments about a person based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or other characteristics
• Posting mean or untrue things on social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, as a way to publicly hurt the person experiencing the cyberbullying  

Impersonation

A person may try to pretend to be the person they are cyberbullying to attempt to embarrass, shame, or hurt them publicly. Some examples of this include:

• Hacking into someone’s online profile and changing any part of it, whether it be a photo or their "About Me" portion, to something that is either harmful or inappropriate
• Catfishing, which is when a person creates a fake persona to trick someone into a relationship with them as a joke or for their own personal gain
• Making a fake profile using the screen name of their target to post inappropriate or rude remarks on other people’s pages

Other Examples

Not all forms of cyberbullying are the same, and cyberbullies use other tactics to ensure that their target feels as bad as possible. Some tactics include:

• Taking nude or otherwise degrading photos of a person without their consent
• Sharing or posting nude pictures with a wide audience to embarrass the person they are cyberbullying
• Sharing personal information about a person on a public website that could cause them to feel unsafe
• Physically bullying someone in school and getting someone else to record it so that it can be watched and passed around later
• Circulating rumors about a person

How to Know When a Joke Turns Into Cyberbullying

People may often try to downplay cyberbullying by saying it was just a joke. However, any incident that continues to make a person feel shame, hurt, or blatantly disrespected is not a joke and should be addressed. People who engage in cyberbullying tactics know that they’ve crossed these boundaries, from being playful to being harmful.

Effects and Consequences of Cyberbullying 

Research shows many negative effects of cyberbullying, some of which can lead to severe mental health issues. Cyberbullied people are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts, actions, or behaviors and engage in self-harm as those who are not.

Other negative health consequences of cyberbullying are:

• Stomach pain and digestive issues
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulties with academics
• Violent behaviors
• High levels of stress
• Inability to feel safe
• Feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness

If You’ve Been Cyberbullied 

Being on the receiving end of cyberbullying is hard to cope with. It can feel like you have nowhere to turn and no escape. However, some things can be done to help overcome cyberbullying experiences.

Advice for Preteens and Teenagers

The best thing you can do if you’re being cyberbullied is tell an adult you trust. It may be challenging to start the conversation because you may feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, if it is not addressed, it can get worse.

Other ways you can cope with cyberbullying include:

• Walk away : Walking away online involves ignoring the bullies, stepping back from your computer or phone, and finding something you enjoy doing to distract yourself from the bullying.
• Don’t retaliate : You may want to defend yourself at the time. But engaging with the bullies can make matters worse.
• Keep evidence : Save all copies of the cyberbullying, whether it be posts, texts, or emails, and keep them if the bullying escalates and you need to report them.
• Report : Social media sites take harassment seriously, and reporting them to site administrators may block the bully from using the site.
• Block : You can block your bully from contacting you on social media platforms and through text messages.

In some cases, therapy may be a good option to help cope with the aftermath of cyberbullying.

Advice for Parents

As a parent, watching your child experience cyberbullying can be difficult. To help in the right ways, you can:

• Offer support and comfort : Listening to your child explain what's happening can be helpful. If you've experienced bullying as a child, sharing that experience may provide some perspective on how it can be overcome and that the feelings don't last forever.
• Make sure they know they are not at fault : Whatever the bully uses to target your child can make them feel like something is wrong with them. Offer praise to your child for speaking up and reassure them that it's not their fault.
• Contact the school : Schools have policies to protect children from bullying, but to help, you have to inform school officials.
• Keep records : Ask your child for all the records of the bullying and keep a copy for yourself. This evidence will be helpful to have if the bullying escalates and further action needs to be taken.
• Try to get them help : In many cases, cyberbullying can lead to mental stress and sometimes mental health disorders. Getting your child a therapist gives them a safe place to work through their experience.

In the Workplace 

Although cyberbullying more often affects children and adolescents, it can also happen to adults in the workplace. If you are dealing with cyberbullying at your workplace, you can:

• Let your bully know how what they said affected you and that you expect it to stop.
• Keep copies of any harassment that goes on in the workplace.
• Report your cyberbully to your human resources (HR) department.
• Report your cyberbully to law enforcement if you are being threatened.
• Close off all personal communication pathways with your cyberbully.
• Maintain a professional attitude at work regardless of what is being said or done.
• Seek out support through friends, family, or professional help.

Effective Action Against Cyberbullying

If cyberbullying continues, actions will have to be taken to get it to stop, such as:

• Talking to a school official : Talking to someone at school may be difficult, but once you do, you may be grateful that you have some support. Schools have policies to address cyberbullying.
• Confide in parents or trusted friends : Discuss your experience with your parents or others you trust. Having support on your side will make you feel less alone.
• Report it on social media : Social media sites have strict rules on the types of interactions and content sharing allowed. Report your aggressor to the site to get them banned and eliminate their ability to contact you.
• Block the bully : Phones, computers, and social media platforms contain options to block correspondence from others. Use these blocking tools to help free yourself from cyberbullying.

Help Is Available

If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial  988  to contact the  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  and connect with a trained counselor. To find mental health resources in your area, contact the  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline  at  800-662-4357  for information.

Cyberbullying occurs over electronic communication methods like cell phones, computers, social media, and other online platforms. While anyone can be subject to cyberbullying, it is most likely to occur between the ages of 12 and 18.

Cyberbullying can be severe and lead to serious health issues, such as new or worsened mental health disorders, sleep issues, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm. There are laws to prevent cyberbullying, so it's essential to report it when it happens. Coping strategies include stepping away from electronics, blocking bullies, and getting.

Alhajji M, Bass S, Dai T. Cyberbullying, mental health, and violence in adolescents and associations with sex and race: data from the 2015 youth risk behavior survey . Glob Pediatr Health. 2019;6:2333794X19868887. doi:10.1177/2333794X19868887

Cyberbullying Research Center. Cyberbullying in 2021 by age, gender, sexual orientation, and race .

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: StopBullying.gov. Facts about bullying .

John A, Glendenning AC, Marchant A, et al. Self-harm, suicidal behaviours, and cyberbullying in children and young people: systematic review .  J Med Internet Res . 2018;20(4):e129. doi:10.2196/jmir.9044

Cyberbullying Research Center. Bullying, cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students .

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: StopBullying.gov. Laws, policies, and regulations .

Wolke D, Lee K, Guy A. Cyberbullying: a storm in a teacup? . Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;26(8):899-908. doi:10.1007/s00787-017-0954-6

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: StopBullying.gov. Cyberbullying tactics .

Garett R, Lord LR, Young SD. Associations between social media and cyberbullying: a review of the literature . mHealth . 2016;2:46-46. doi:10.21037/mhealth.2016.12.01

Nemours Teens Health. Cyberbullying .

Nixon CL. Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health . Adolesc Health Med Ther. 2014;5:143-58. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S36456

Nemours Kids Health. Cyberbullying (for parents) .

By Angelica Bottaro Bottaro has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and an Advanced Diploma in Journalism. She is based in Canada.

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Home / Parenting, Kids & Teens / What is cyberbullying and how can it be prevented?

What is cyberbullying and how can it be prevented?

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Bullying has blighted childhood and growing up since time began. Bullying can include mean words, teasing, spiteful pranks, the spreading of false rumors, name-calling, the taking of personal items, exclusion from social groups and events, graffiti scrawled on a locker, pushing and shoving, harassment, threats, and in its worst form, physical violence. Bullying is repetitive, not just a single act of aggression.

Kids who are bullied often withdraw socially, begin to underperform academically, feel anxious, sleep badly, and may eventually become depressed and feel trapped if the bullying goes on long enough.

As seen in the media, extreme bullying scenarios have resulted in a tragic and growing list of young people who take their own lives, at least in part to escape persistent bullying.

Most forms of in-person bullying now also take place online, potentially doubling a child’s exposure to bullying. Online, screen-based or technology-based bullying, which can happen across any medium where social interaction takes place, is called cyberbullying.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying involves actions like:

• Sharing photos or videos of people without consent to embarrass them, make them feel bad about themselves, or enact revenge for a friendship or relationship that has broken down.
• Name-calling, teasing, belittling, mocking or social exclusion.
• Spreading false rumors.
• Creating fake social media accounts in an individual’s name and posting outrageous statements about a peer to isolate, degrade and prank both people.
• Circulating a person’s private messages sent in confidence to a group for amusement and the power of violating privacy.
• Sharing a person’s videos sent in confidence with a chat group or a class to cause embarrassment and ridicule.
• Sending anonymous critical, harassing or threatening messages to people to damage their self-esteem, make them doubt that their friendship group cares for them or instill a sense of not being safe.
• Texting or direct-messaging explicit, unsolicited images, real, altered or fake.
• Leaking an individual’s personal information such as home address or phone number to peer groups to invade privacy and encourage personal attacks.
• Unsolicited forwarding to an individual hurtful or hateful comments that were made by a social peer to undermine confidence and cause conflict within a social group.
• Posting mocking or spiteful comments on an individual’s social media accounts both to cause upset and to encourage other followers, usually from the same school, to join in, triggering group cyberbullying.

While cyberbullying seems at first glance different from in-person bullying, [WNJ1]  experts see similarities.

“It’s the same sort of behavior,” says Bridget K. Biggs, Ph.D., L.P., a psychologist at Mayo Clinic. “Verbal aggression like name-calling, relational aggression like spreading rumors and trying to cut people out of relationships, and threatening or physical aggression — the effects are about the same, broadly speaking: lower mood, reduced self-esteem and anxiety, particularly social anxiety.”

Dr. Biggs underscores one key difference: unlike in-person bullying — unless it is caught on school security cameras — cyberbullying can be proved.

“Cyberbullying leaves a trail of indelible evidence, with the exception of disappearing message capabilities unless one can take a screenshot fast enough. But if a peer sends an unflattering or sexualized video or photo, that’s out in cyberspace forever. So there are positives and negatives to this permanence.”

What is the percentage of cyberbullying?

“The good news is that bullying overall, including cyberbullying, tends to decline after its prevalence peaks in mid-adolescence,” affirms Dr Biggs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cyberbullying is experienced by the highest percentage of kids in middle schools (33%) followed by high schools (30%) and primary schools (5%).

Among high school students in the U.S., 1 in 6 has been cyberbullied, compared with 1 in 5 who has been bullied in person. Furthermore, for children who identify as LGBTQ+, the Cyberbullying Research Center reports that 31% experience cyberbullying versus 21% of heterosexual students.

It’s no wonder that when Google surveyed U.S. teachers in 2019, bullying and cyberbullying headlined as their No. 1 concern.

What is the difference between cyberbullying and bullying?

Cyberbullying Facts: There are several ways that cyberbullying differs from in-person bullying:

What are the effects of cyberbullying?

If you were ever bullied at school, you’ll remember how quickly you felt shut out of life and how going into school each day was fraught with fear or a feeling of torture. Targets of cyberbullying are affected in much the same way as those bullied in person and can develop some or all of the following symptoms:

• Difficulties sleeping.
• Not wanting to go to school.
• Declining academic performance.
• Acting distracted at home.
• Reduced self-esteem.
• Feelings of not fitting in or belonging.

As the extent or longevity of bullying increase, it’s possible for more extreme reactions to occur, including:

• Self-harming behaviors such as cutting or burning.
• Depression.
• Thoughts of dropping out of school.
• Suicidal thoughts.
• Suicide attempts.

“With traditional face-to-face bullying,” says Dr. Biggs, “when you get home, you at least get a break from it. But if that social connection is also online, then you are still connected via cyberspace when you get home. Cyberspace therefore becomes just one more place to experience bullying.”

In a rare minority of cases, there have been tragic, high-profile stories of kids in the U.S. driven to suicide by cyberbullying. However, research on this subject by Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center is careful to underscore that suicide is always complex, with multifaceted drivers.

“There’s an increased risk for suicidality if a child is being bullied, yes,” Dr Biggs adds. “But note that of all the kids experiencing bullying, it’s a really small number who commit suicide. That’s important for parents to know.”

Why do people cyberbully?

As with in-person bullying, bullies court popularity and power and see bullying as a means to exert influence, control friendships, and dominate classrooms and playgrounds. In making others feel small, they feel bigger. There are often familial factors behind bullying and cyberbullying, and those can include witnessing verbal or physical aggression at home, which can lead to similar behavior socially or at school. With cyberbullying, if the bully has a high number of followers on social media, the validation of likes and shares for bullying behaviors can be intoxicating and signal a formula for popularity.

How to stop a child who is cyberbullying

• Explain what cyberbullying is, how it traumatizes others and its consequences.
• Set out what behaviors are unacceptable and explain that you will monitor behavior.
• Praise improved behaviors and set consequences, such as limiting gaming time, if your child cyberbullies again.
• Propose a meeting with administrators at your child’s school if behavior deteriorates.

Is cyberbullying illegal?

Strictly speaking, no. But if cyberbullying touches on laws around stalking, criminal online harassment or sexting that involves third-party possession or wider distribution of nude photos of minors, then authorities can be engaged. And if cyberbullying — as with in-person bullying — leads to a physical attack on the victim, then assault charges may become valid. Relative to state and federal law, schools can intervene when bullying of a student is taking place by another student or group of students, though according to Pew Research Center, only 34% of parents whose child is being cyberbullied report it to the child’s school.

How can parents prevent cyberbullying?

One can’t prevent cyberbullying. After all, it’s impossible to live screen-free in our world today. But Dr. Biggs does advocate parents helping their child divert focus toward building a healthy social circle.

“The effects of being bullied are mitigated when people have strong social support,” she explains. “Even one good-quality friendship can make a difference. If a child has this, then the child may feel able to say ‘That’s a chat group I don’t want to be part of.’ Parents can support their kids by encouraging the fostering of friendships and activities that are positive. You can even ask: ”Who do you want to surround yourself with?’ That’s a very positive coping strategy, surrounding yourself with good people.”

As well as encouraging positive friendships, parents can also help clarify context.

“With cyberbullying,” Dr Biggs says, “if children show you a message that upsets them, which the cyberbully is calling a joke, you might say something like, ‘Well I didn’t find that very funny — I suggest you shrug it off and don’t engage, because this person just wants to pull you in.’ “

Dr. Biggs, a mother of two herself, sees conversations about cyberbullying as just another part of teaching children about online safety.

“Start having conversations about safe behaviors online as soon as your kid begins using technology. That shouldn’t be one conversation; it should be ongoing. You need to talk about phishing, scamming, people who may say they’re somebody but they’re actually somebody else and what information is safe to provide. And you should warn that there are people who do mean things online who might also do mean things in person. If kids already have that awareness, then when it happens, they can think, ‘I remember, a safe adult told me about that and predicted that this is something that could happen.’ “

Overall, though, Dr Biggs advises a delicate balance of supervision and distance.

“Not helicopter parenting and not letting them fly the helicopter,” she says. “Kids are more likely to use the internet safely and positively when their parents pay attention to what they are doing, provide guidance and set limits around use — but also allow some choice, input and autonomous decision-making, all while keeping the lines of communication open between themselves and their kids. It seems that providing some education about the benefits and dangers of the internet — including the possibility of aggression occurring in digital platforms — is beneficial. As with other responsibilities, it makes sense to ease restrictions and allow greater autonomy and choice as kids get older and as they demonstrate their ability to use the resource responsibly.”

How kids can limit their exposure to cyberbullying

• Never respond unless a parent encourages you to assert a clear boundary and take a screenshot of your request — for example, “Please stop saying these things to me,” “I don’t want you to treat me this way” — so it can be used as evidence of online harassment, if needed.
• Take a screenshot of all hostilities to establish a record of evidence.
• Show a parent the messages or comments and talk it over.
• Block and report cyberbullies on social media if doing so won’t inflame an already difficult situation.
• If your parents agree, arrange a discrete meeting with a teacher.
• Use privacy settings to protect personal posts on social media from being accessed by strangers.
• Wait for at least 60 minutes before acting on an impulse to share sensitive photos, videos or information with a peer.
• Have designated digital-free time each day .

The future of cyberbullying

Because it is next to impossible to live in a device-free world while growing up nowadays, parents may fear that nothing can stop their child being cyberbullied. However, Dr. Biggs cites one effective peer-to-peer method that does work: upstanding.

“Upstanding is when witnesses speak up and communicate that aggression is not acceptable and that treating others with respect is socially desirable or ‘cool,’ ” Dr Biggs says. “That does reduce bullying.”

There are also small poignant ways parents can reduce bullying of any type though, as Dr Biggs concludes:

“I heard of a parent responding to news that her child had been bullying another child on the bus. She told her son that she had heard that bullying had been happening — without indicating that she knew who was doing it — and asked him to look out for the child, as she knew that child to be a kind and responsible person. The bullying stopped.”

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Cyber Bullying Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on cyber bullying.

Cyber Bullying Essay: In today’s world which has been made smaller by technology, new age problems have been born. No doubt technology has a lot of benefits; however, it also comes with a negative side. It has given birth to cyberbullying. To put it simply, cyberbullying refers to the misuse of information technology with the intention to harass others.

Subsequently, cyberbullying comes in various forms. It doesn’t necessarily mean hacking someone’s profiles or posing to be someone else. It also includes posting negative comments about somebody or spreading rumors to defame someone. As everyone is caught up on the social network, it makes it very easy for anyone to misuse this access.

In other words, cyberbullying has become very common nowadays. It includes actions to manipulate, harass and defame any person. These hostile actions are seriously damaging and can affect anyone easily and gravely. They take place on social media, public forums, and other online information websites. A cyberbully is not necessarily a stranger; it may also be someone you know.

Cyber Bullying is Dangerous

Cyberbullying is a multi-faced issue. However, the intention of this activity is one and the same. To hurt people and bring them harm. Cyberbullying is not a light matter. It needs to be taken seriously as it does have a lot of dangerous effects on the victim.

Moreover, it disturbs the peace of mind of a person. Many people are known to experience depression after they are cyberbullied. In addition, they indulge in self-harm. All the derogatory comments made about them makes them feel inferior.

It also results in a lot of insecurities and complexes. The victim which suffers cyberbullying in the form of harassing starts having self-doubt. When someone points at your insecurities, they only tend to enhance. Similarly, the victims worry and lose their inner peace.

Other than that, cyberbullying also tarnishes the image of a person. It hampers their reputation with the false rumors spread about them. Everything on social media spreads like wildfire. Moreover, people often question the credibility. Thus,  one false rumor destroys people’s lives.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Prevent Cyber Bullying?

Cyberbullying prevention is the need of the hour. It needs to be monitored and put an end to. There are various ways to tackle cyberbullying. We can implement them at individual levels as well as authoritative levels.

Firstly, always teach your children to never share personal information online. For instance, if you list your home address or phone number there, it will make you a potential target of cyberbullying easily.

Secondly, avoid posting explicit photos of yourself online. Also, never discuss personal matters on social media. In other words, keep the information limited within your group of friends and family. Most importantly, never ever share your internet password and account details with anyone. Keep all this information to yourself alone. Be alert and do not click on mysterious links, they may be scams. In addition, teach your kids about cyberbullying and make them aware of what’s wrong and right.

In conclusion, awareness is the key to prevent online harassment. We should make the children aware from an early age so they are always cautious. Moreover, parents must monitor their children’s online activities and limit their usage. Most importantly, cyberbullying must be reported instantly without delay. This can prevent further incidents from taking place.

FAQs on Cyber Bullying

Q.1 Why is Cyberbullying dangerous?

A.1 Cyberbullying affects the mental peace of a person. It takes a toll on their mental health. Moreover, it tarnishes the reputation of an individual.

Q.2 How to prevent cyberbullying?

A.2 We may prevent cyberbullying by limiting the information we share online. In addition, we must make children aware of the forms of cyberbullying and its consequences.

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Cyberbullying: What is it and how can you stop it?

Explore the latest psychological science about the impact of cyberbullying and what to do if you or your child is a victim

• Mental Health
• Social Media and Internet

Cyberbullying can happen anywhere with an internet connection. While traditional, in-person bullying is still more common , data from the Cyberbullying Research Center suggest about 1 in every 4 teens has experienced cyberbullying, and about 1 in 6 has been a perpetrator. About 1 in 5 tweens, or kids ages 9 to 12, has been involved in cyberbullying (PDF, 5.57MB) .

As technology advances, so do opportunities to connect with people—but unfettered access to others isn’t always a good thing, especially for youth. Research has long linked more screen time with lower psychological well-being , including higher rates of anxiety and depression. The risk of harm is higher when kids and teens are victimized by cyberbullying.

Here’s what you need to know about cyberbullying, and psychology’s role in stopping it.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying occurs when someone uses technology to demean, inflict harm, or cause pain to another person. It is “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.” Perpetrators bully victims in any online setting, including social media, video or computer games, discussion boards, or text messaging on mobile devices.

Virtual bullying can affect anyone, regardless of age. However, the term “cyberbullying” usually refers to online bullying among children and teenagers. It may involve name calling, threats, sharing private or embarrassing photos, or excluding others.

One bully can harass another person online or several bullies can gang up on an individual. While a stranger can incite cyberbullying, it more frequently occurs among kids or teens who know each other from school or other social settings. Research suggests bullying often happens both at school and online .

Online harassment between adults can involve different terms, depending on the relationship and context. For example, dating violence, sexual harassment, workplace harassment, and scamming—more common among adults—can all happen on the internet.

How can cyberbullying impact the mental health of myself or my child?

Any form of bullying can negatively affect the victim’s well-being, both at the time the bullying occurs and in the future. Psychological research suggests being victimized by a cyberbully increases stress and may result in anxiety and depression symptoms . Some studies find anxiety and depression increase the likelihood adolescents will become victims to cyberbullying .

Cyberbullying can also cause educational harm , affecting a student’s attendance or academic performance, especially when bullying occurs both online and in school or when a student has to face their online bully in the classroom. Kids and teens may rely on negative coping mechanisms, such as substance use, to deal with the stress of cyberbullying. In extreme cases, kids and teens may struggle with self-harm or suicidal ideation .

How can parents talk to their children about cyberbullying?

Parents play a crucial role in preventing cyberbullying and associated harms. Be aware of what your kids are doing online, whether you check your child’s device, talk to them about their online behaviors, or install a monitoring program. Set rules about who your child can friend or interact with on social media platforms. For example, tell your child if they wouldn’t invite someone to your house, then they shouldn’t give them access to their social media accounts. Parents should also familiarize themselves with signs of cyberbullying , such as increased device use, anger or anxiety after using a device, or hiding devices when others are nearby.

Communicating regularly about cyberbullying is an important component in preventing it from affecting your child’s well-being. Psychologists recommend talking to kids about how to be safe online before they have personal access to the internet. Familiarize your child with the concept of cyberbullying as soon as they can understand it. Develop a game plan to problem solve if it occurs. Cultivating open dialogue about cyberbullying can ensure kids can identify the experience and tell an adult, before it escalates into a more harmful situation.

It’s also important to teach kids what to do if someone else is being victimized. For example, encourage your child to tell a teacher or parent if someone they know is experiencing cyberbullying.

Keep in mind kids may be hesitant to open up about cyberbullying because they’re afraid they’ll lose access to their devices. Encourage your child to be open with you by reminding them they won’t get in trouble for talking to you about cyberbullying. Clearly explain your goal is to allow them to communicate with their friends safely online.

How can I report cyberbullying?

How you handle cyberbullying depends on a few factors, such as the type of bullying and your child’s age. You may choose to intervene by helping a younger child problem solve whereas teens may prefer to handle the bullying on their own with a caregiver’s support.

In general, it’s a good practice to take screenshots of the cyberbullying incidents as a record, but not to respond to bullies’ messages. Consider blocking cyberbullies to prevent future harassment.

Parents should contact the app or website directly about removing bullying-related posts, especially if they reveal private or embarrassing information. Some social media sites suspend perpetrators’ accounts.

If the bullying also occurs at school or on a school-owned device, or if the bullying is affecting a child’s school performance, it may be appropriate to speak with your child’s teacher or school personnel.

What are the legal ramifications of cyberbullying?

In some cases, parents should report cyberbullying to law enforcement. If cyberbullying includes threats to someone’s physical safety, consider contacting your local police department.

What’s illegal can vary from state to state. Any illegal behaviors, such as blackmailing someone to send money, hate crimes, stalking, or posting sexual photos of a minor, can have legal repercussions. If you’re not sure about what’s legal and what’s not, check your state’s laws and law enforcement .

Are big tech companies responsible for promoting positive digital spaces?

In an ideal world, tech companies would prioritize creating safer online environments for young people. Some companies are working toward it already, including partnering with psychologists to better understand how their products affect kids, and how to keep them safe. But going the extra mile isn’t always profitable for technology companies. For now, it’s up to individuals, families, and communities to protect kids’ and teens’ best interest online.

What does the research show about psychology’s role in reducing this issue?

Many studies show preventative measures can drastically reduce cyberbullying perpetration and victimization . Parents and caregivers, schools, and technology companies play a role in educating kids about media literacy and mental health. Psychologists—thanks to their expertise in child and teen development, communication, relationships, and mental health—can also make important contributions in preventing cyberbullying.

Because cybervictimization coincides with anxiety and depression, research suggests mental health clinicians and educators should consider interventions that both address adolescents’ online experiences and support their mental, social, and emotional well-being. Psychologists can also help parents speak to their kids about cyberbullying, along with supporting families affected by it.

You can learn more about cyberbullying at these websites:

• Cyberbullying Research Center
• StopBullying.gov
• Nemours Kids Health

Acknowledgments

APA gratefully acknowledges the following contributors to this publication:

• Sarah Domoff, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Central Michigan University
• Dorothy Espelage, PhD, William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of North Carolina
• Stephanie Fredrick, PhD, NCSP, assistant professor and associate director of the Dr. Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York
• Brian TaeHyuk Keum, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Social Welfare at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
• Mitchell J. Prinstein, PhD, chief science officer at APA
• Susan Swearer, PhD, Willa Cather Professor of School Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; licensed psychologist

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• Cyberbullying

Prevent Cyberbullying

Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online

A child may be involved in cyberbullying in several ways. A child can be bullied, bully others, or witness bullying . Parents, teachers, and other adults may not be aware of all the digital media  and apps that a child is using. The more digital platforms that a child uses, the more opportunities there are for being exposed to potential cyberbullying.

Warning Signs a Child is Being Cyberbullied or is Cyberbullying Others

Many of the warning signs that cyberbullying is occurring happen around a child’s use of their device. Some of the warning signs that a child may be involved in cyberbullying are:

• Noticeable increases or decreases in device use, including texting.
• A child exhibits emotional responses (laughter, anger, upset) to what is happening on their device.
• A child hides their screen or device when others are near, and avoids discussion about what they are doing on their device.
• Social media accounts are shut down or new ones appear.
• A child starts to avoid social situations, even those that were enjoyed in the past.
• A child becomes withdrawn or depressed, or loses interest in people and activities.

What to Do When Cyberbullying Happens

If you notice warning signs that a child may be involved in cyberbullying , take steps to investigate that child’s digital behavior. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying , and adults should take the same approach to address it: support the child being bullied, address the bullying behavior of a participant, and show children that cyberbullying is taken seriously. Because cyberbullying happens online, responding to it requires different approaches. If you think that a child is involved in cyberbullying, there are several things you can do:

• Notice – Recognize if there has been a change in mood or behavior and explore what the cause might be. Try to determine if these changes happen around a child’s use of their digital devices.
• Talk – Ask questions to learn what is happening, how it started, and who is involved.
• Document – Keep a record of what is happening and where. Take screenshots of harmful posts or content if possible. Most laws and policies note that bullying is a repeated behavior, so records help to document it.
• Report – Most social media platforms and schools have clear policies and reporting processes. If a classmate is cyberbullying, report it the school. You can also contact app or social media platforms to report offensive content and have it removed. If a child has received physical threats, or if a potential crime or illegal behavior is occurring, report it to the police.
• Support – Peers, mentors, and trusted adults can sometimes intervene publicly to positively influence a situation where negative or hurtful content posts about a child. Public Intervention can include posting positive comments about the person targeted with bullying to try to shift the conversation in a positive direction. It can also help to reach out to the child who is bullying and the target of the bullying to express your concern. If possible, try to determine if more professional support is needed for those involved, such as speaking with a guidance counselor or mental health professional. 

How to Prevent Cyberbullying

This guide helps parents, caregivers, and youth learn ways to identify, prevent, and address cyberbullying.

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Why is Cyberbullying Harmful and What Actions Can You Take?

The amount of time our children spend online and on screens has never been higher and, whilst use of the internet can have many benefits for young people, it does also bring with it dangers that we, the older generation, have never encountered before. In this article, we’ll look at what cyberbullying is and what parents, teachers and other school staff can do to recognise cyberbullying and stop cyberbullying from occurring.

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is defined as ‘the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature’. It means using technology to bully or harass someone, meaning that bullying no longer only occurs face-to-face at school but can happen at any time of day or night.

Any child can be bullied online, no matter their social background, age or gender. However, cyberbullying usually occurs because the child is seen as different in some way, whether it’s because of their sexuality, race, disability, introverted nature or even their popularity. For children, cyberbullying can occur over any device that connects to the internet, including smart phones, games consoles and computers. It can happen on websites, chat rooms, forums, social media, private messages, texts and emails, to name a few. With more and more children engaging in multiple hours of screen time a day, the opportunities for cyberbullying to occur are unwavering.

Types of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can involve any of the following activities:

• Trolling (leaving insulting comments).
• Spreading harmful rumours.
• Mobbing (being targeted by a gang).
• Harassment.
• Threatening comments.
• Doxing (sharing private information about someone).
• Sexting and sextortion .
• Sharing embarrassing pictures or videos.
• Excluding from games or groups.
• Grooming (encouraging self-harm, sexual behaviour or criminal activity).
• Identity theft (if someone sets up a fake profile).
• Setting up a hate group about someone.
• Creating an abusive poll about someone.

Dangers of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can often be more dangerous than face-to-face bullying as it can take place anywhere and at any time. Furthermore, because the bully is hidden behind a screen, their attacks on their victim are often more vicious and more cruel than they would be in real life, as the screen acts as a barrier of anonymity and enables them to say things that they wouldn’t say in real life.

However, this anonymity makes it harder for the victim to report the bullying, as they may not know who is behind it. Even if the child does know who the cyberbully is, and opts to block their account from contacting them, the bully can easily create a new account to continue targeting the child or use the account of a friend.

Cyberbullying can be incredibly damaging to a child’s self-esteem, social skills and confidence and causes serious distress. The effects of cyberbullying can last well into adulthood. Children may struggle to create friendships at school, be distrusting of others and begin to perform poorly in lessons. Children who experience cyberbullying are also at greater risk from mental health problems , such as stress, depression and anxiety. Some of the worst cases can even end in self-harming behaviour or suicide.

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Signs of Cyberbullying

As a parent or teacher, it can be tricky to spot the signs of cyberbullying as children are often clever about hiding what’s really going on. Remember that they may also feel embarrassed, ashamed and frightened by what they’re experiencing, so they may feel uncomfortable speaking out about it.

Some signs of cyberbullying to look out for include:

• Changes in their normal behaviour, such as losing confidence, acting more withdrawn or seeming nervous.
• Spending large portions of time alone and avoiding family, friends and social situations.
• Refusing to go to school or creating excuses to stay at home.
• Skipping school.
• Changes in their attainment at school, such as a sudden drop in grades or inability to concentrate on homework.
• Belongings going missing or getting damaged.
• Hiding their mobile phone, computer screen or other device from you.
• Appearing distressed after receiving a text message or notification.
• Deleting apps, like social media and messaging apps, that they normally love to use.
• Losing interest in normal hobbies.
• Expressing dark thoughts or talking about suicide.
• Weight loss or appearance changes.
• New marks on the skin which might suggest self-harming behaviours.
• Using drugs or alcohol.

How to Prevent Cyberbullying

Whilst it’s impossible to prevent cyberbullying from occurring completely, there are actions that young people can take to make the chances less likely. As a parent or teacher, you can help your child to understand the dangers of the internet and provide them with advice on how to stay safe online, and how to report any untoward behaviour.

To help prevent cyberbullying, children and young people should be advised to:

• Ensure their devices, apps and social media accounts are password protected and that the passwords are never shared with anyone, even close friends.
• Log out of all social media accounts when they are not in use.
• Never open any direct messages or texts from people they don’t know.
• If someone sends them a threatening or hurtful message, don’t respond or retaliate.  Instead, delete the message and block the account.
• Ensure privacy controls are set on social media accounts, as this will help to control who can see their profile and pictures and who can send them private messages.
• Keep all photos ‘PG’ – sexting and sharing indecent photos, even if they believe the recipient to be a trusted boyfriend or girlfriend, can result in cyberbullying, as it gives someone access to private images that they can edit, share and use against the child.
• Remember that anything posted online can be shared to thousands of people in seconds, so think before sharing anything that could be damaging should it be shared by the wrong person.

How to Stop Cyberbullying

If a child or young person is being bullied online, there are several actions you should take to help stop the cyberbullying from continuing.

In the first instance, if a child reveals that they are a victim of cyberbullying, it’s important that you advise them not to respond. If the child has already been in contact with the bully, whether it’s just once or has been going on for months, tell them to cease further contact and block them immediately. Advise them against retaliating, commenting back or pleading with the bully to take messages or images down, as this will only make the cyberbullying continue.

In most cases of cyberbullying, simply ignoring the bully and not reacting to anything they say is enough to stop cyberbullying from continuing.

If the child or young person is being groomed or coerced into doing something they don’t want to do, such as sharing explicit images, engaging in criminal behaviour or even taking part in a dangerous internet challenge , then assure them that whatever has happened is not their fault and they are not to blame . It’s important that the child feels safe and not judged if you want them to reveal more information about the bullying to you.

In order to report cyberbullying , ask the child to screenshot any messages they’ve received to use as evidence, including the date and time where possible. This information – the more they have the better – can then be used to report cyberbullying in one of three ways:

• Online – there are various charities and organisations that can give you advice on what to do next, including the National Bullying Helpline , Family Lives and Childline .
• Via a teacher or tutor – if the cyberbullying was instigated by a school peer, it’s important that you make the school aware of the situation.
• On social media – if the cyberbullying takes place on a social media platform, you should report the incident directly to the platform. Most social media sites, including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X, have a way of reporting any type of behaviour that is against their code of conduct.

Sadly, cyberbullying is a feature of modern childhood and has replaced face-to-face bullying in most school environments. As a parent or teacher, it’s important that you recognise the dangers of cyberbullying and the impact it can have on children as, without this understanding, you’ll be unable to take action to prevent further cyberbullying from happening.

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What is Cyberbullying, Its Bad Effects and How to Stop It

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Essay on Cyberbullying

Students are often asked to write an essay on Cyberbullying in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Cyberbullying

What is cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. It can happen through a message, email, or on social media sites.

Forms of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can take many forms. It can be public or private. Some examples are mean text messages, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures or videos.

Effects of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can make a person feel sad, lonely, or scared. They may want to avoid school or social events. In severe cases, it might lead to depression or even suicide.

Preventing Cyberbullying

To prevent cyberbullying, don’t share private information online, and think before you post. Always treat others with respect. If you’re a victim, don’t respond or retaliate. Instead, save the evidence and report it.

Role of Schools and Parents

250 words essay on cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet to hurt, embarrass, or scare another person. It can happen on social media, in online games, or in messages. The person doing the bullying might send mean messages, share personal information, or post embarrassing photos.

Cyberbullying can make a person feel sad, scared, or alone. They might not want to go to school or spend time with friends. It can also affect their grades and their health. Some people might even think about hurting themselves because of cyberbullying.

How to Deal with Cyberbullying

If you are being bullied online, tell a trusted adult. This could be a parent, teacher, or school counselor. You can also report the bullying to the website or app where it happened. Most websites and apps have rules against bullying and can take action.

To help stop cyberbullying, be kind online. Think before you post or send a message. Ask yourself, “Would I want someone to say this to me?” If the answer is no, don’t post it. Also, stand up for others. If you see someone being bullied online, report it.

Remember, everyone deserves to feel safe and respected, both in person and online. By understanding and taking action against cyberbullying, we can make the internet a better place for everyone.

500 Words Essay on Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet, mobile phones, or other digital technologies to harm others. It is a type of bullying that happens online. Unlike regular bullying, cyberbullying can happen at any time and reach a person even when they are alone. It can include things like sending mean or threatening messages, spreading rumors, or posting embarrassing photos or videos.

How Cyberbullying Happens

Cyberbullying can happen in many ways. It can take place through social media sites, chat rooms, text messages, and emails. Sometimes, it can be public, like a mean comment on a social media post. Other times, it can be private, like a threatening text message. Cyberbullies can even create fake accounts to harass someone without revealing their identity.

Cyberbullying can hurt people deeply. It can make them feel scared, sad, or angry. It can also make them feel alone, like no one understands what they’re going through. Some people may even feel unsafe or worry about their reputation. In severe cases, cyberbullying can lead to mental health problems like depression and anxiety, or even self-harm.

What to Do If You’re Cyberbullied

If you’re being cyberbullied, remember it’s not your fault. Don’t respond to the bully, as it could make things worse. Instead, save the evidence and report it. You can report it to the website or app where it happened, or to an adult you trust. If the bullying is threatening or severe, you may even need to report it to the police.

Cyberbullying is a serious problem that can hurt people both emotionally and mentally. But by being respectful online, protecting our personal information, and knowing how to respond if we’re bullied, we can help stop cyberbullying. Remember, everyone deserves to feel safe and respected, both in person and online.

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Understanding and Preventing Online Extortion: A Comprehensive Guide

Protect yourself from stealing money: a guide for online safety, online dating sites for teens: recognizing and avoiding scams, is social security a ponzi scheme a comprehensive analysis, raising the alarm: cyberbullying awareness and prevention, cybersecurity 101: essential tips to stay safe online.

Empower and Protect: How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying

Table of content, table of contents, introduction.

The digital era has ushered in the pressing issue of cyberbullying, affecting people of all ages, particularly the younger generation. How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying is essential for crafting a safer online space. This article will guide you through practical steps and strategies to enhance awareness and nurture a culture of empathy and support online, illustrating effective methods to empower victims and safeguard potential targets.

Understanding the Impact of Cyberbullying

Grasping the far-reaching impact of cyberbullying is a crucial step in learning How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying. This section explains the significant, often long-lasting effects on individuals, underscoring the importance of understanding these impacts to support affected persons and combat the issue effectively. It discusses:

• Psychological Effects

Cyberbullying can leave deep psychological scars, making it crucial to How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying. This includes anxiety, depression, and PTSD, intensified by the anonymity the internet offers to bullies.

• Social Isolation

Victims’ withdrawal from social activities, leading to isolation, further highlights the need for How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying. This isolation can severely impact their social development and sense of belonging.

• Academic Performance

The stress and anxiety stemming from cyberbullying detrimentally affect academic engagement, illustrating another facet of How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying.

• Physical Health Issues

This section underlines How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying by discussing the physical health problems caused by the stress of cyberbullying, such as sleep disturbances and weakened immune systems. 

Stress and anxiety, common responses to cyberbullying, do not just affect one’s mental state; they have a significant impact on physical health as well. The body’s response to stress, particularly when it’s prolonged or intense, can lead to a range of health issues.

• Self-esteem and Self-image

The damage to self-esteem and self-image due to persistent cyberbullying attacks signifies the importance of strategies on How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying.

• Risky Behaviors

Addressing risky behaviors as a coping mechanism for cyberbullying stresses the urgent need for How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying.

• Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

The potential for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among victims underscores the critical nature of efforts to How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying.

How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying

Raising awareness about cyberbullying involves a multi-faceted approach that includes education, advocacy, and community support. Here are key strategies to elevate awareness and foster a culture of respect online:

This table provides a structured overview of the multifaceted approach needed to raise awareness about cyberbullying, emphasizing education, advocacy, and the cultivation of a supportive community.

The Role of Individuals in Combating Cyberbullying

Emphasizing personal action, this part of the article discusses how individuals can contribute to the fight against cyberbullying, highlighting the significance of standing up against bullies, supporting victims, and promoting a culture of kindness and respect online as central to How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying.

Conclusion: Turning Awareness into Action

The conclusion reiterates the importance of not only raising awareness about cyberbullying but also taking concrete steps to address it. It calls on everyone, including parents, educators, and online users, to apply the strategies discussed, demonstrating a collective commitment to How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying and creating a supportive, empathetic online environment.

Provides additional resources for those interested in further exploring How To Raise Awareness About Cyberbullying, pointing to reputable organizations dedicated to fighting cyberbullying and promoting digital safety, reinforcing the article’s message and offering tools for effective contribution to this cause.

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Teachers' Essential Guide to Cyberbullying Prevention

Topics:   Social & Emotional Learning Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech Digital Citizenship

What is cyberbullying? How common is it? And what can teachers do about it? Get advice and resources to support your students.

What is cyberbullying.

• What forms can cyberbullying take?

How common is cyberbullying?

How can i tell if a student is being cyberbullied, when and how should i intervene in a cyberbullying situation, what's my responsibility as a teacher in preventing cyberbullying, what lesson plans and classroom resources are available to address cyberbullying.

• How can teachers work with families to prevent and identify cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of digital media (such as apps, text messages, and websites) to intimidate, upset, or harm someone. It includes repeatedly sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, or mean content about someone else on purpose.

Usually, with cyberbullying, there are other people who see cyberbullying happen. In these situations, people can be bystanders, allies , or upstanders . 

• A bystander observes the conflict or unacceptable behavior but does not take part in it. 
• An ally is someone who responds to the bullying situation by supporting the person being bullied (checking in with them, being a friend to them, etc.). 
• An upstander tries to stop the bullying by directly confronting the person who is doing the bullying or by telling a trusted adult.

Cyberbullying differs from face-to-face bullying in several key ways. For one, it can feel harder to escape because it can happen anywhere, anytime. It's also harder to detect because so much of kids' digital media use is not monitored by adults. At the same time, cyberbullying can also be very public: Large numbers of people online can see what's happening and even gang up on the target. Though the target is usually exposed publicly, the people doing the cyberbullying can hide who they are by posting anonymously or using pseudonyms. And since cyberbullying isn't face-to-face, the one doing the bullying may not see or even understand the implications of their actions.

What Forms Can Cyberbullying Take?

Unfortunately, cyberbullying can take many forms . As popular social media apps for young people shift and proliferate, so have the ways kids can harass each other—or become victims themselves. Spreading rumors, sending hateful messages, or sharing embarrassing materials can occur across platforms and devices, but there are some other specific forms of cyberbullying to be aware of:

• Catfishing : Someone sets up a fictional persona online to compromise a victim in various ways, often exploiting a victim's emotions. The perpetrator's goals may be to lure them into a relationship or to intentionally upset a victim, among other reasons. 
• Cyberflashing : When someone receives an unsolicited sexually graphic image, they've been cyberflashed. This can occur on peer-to-peer Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth Airdrop , in or outside of school. 
• Ghosting : When people cut off online contact and stop responding, they might be ghosting. Refusing to answer someone's messages can actually be a way of communicating a shift or upheaval among a group of friends. Often, instead of ever addressing the issue head-on, people will just ignore the targeted person.
• Griefing : There are people who harass or irritate you in multiplayer video games. They kill your character on purpose, steal your game loot, or harass you in chat. Repeated behavior like that is called "griefing." 
• Hate pages : On platforms like Instagram , teens may create fake accounts to harass victims, posting unflattering photos of their target, exposing secrets, or sharing screenshots of texts from people saying mean things. It's hard to trace who created the account, and the people doing the bullying can simply create a new "hate" page if one is shut down or removed. Sometimes, these anonymous accounts may be collections focused on rumors or other malicious materials targeting students schoolwide. 
• Outing : This occurs when someone reveals someone's gender identity or sexual orientation without their consent. What makes this particularly malicious is the risk this may pose for teens who report higher levels of mental health struggles and are at greater risk for self-harm.

Note that kids and teens probably use all kinds of terminology to describe the digital drama or harassment that's happening, so it's best to just ask questions than to use specific terms.

Reported data on how many kids experience cyberbullying can vary depending on the age of kids surveyed and how cyberbullying is defined. According to a 2022 Pew Research report on teens and cyberbullying, nearly half (46%) of teens reported experiencing at least one type of cyberbullying , and 28% have experienced multiple types, which represents a steady uptick over the last 15 years.

A summary of research by the Cyberbullying Research Center on cyberbullying in middle and high school from 2007 to 2021 indicated that, on average, 29% of students had been targets of cyberbullying. Nearly 16% of students admitted to cyberbullying others.

Yet not all groups of teens are experiencing cyberbullying equally, as some kids are more vulnerable than others . The Common Sense study " Social Media, Social Life " also found that girls are more likely than boys to experience it. A separate study showed that kids with a disability, with obesity, or who are LGBTQ are more likely to be cyberbullied than other kids.

Even if kids aren't the target of cyberbullying (and the majority aren't), chances are high they've witnessed it, since it often happens online and publicly. Common Sense reports that 23% of teens have tried to help someone who has been cyberbullied, such as by talking with the person who was cyberbullied, reporting it to adults, or posting positive stuff about the person being cyberbullied.

Be aware of your students' emotional state. Do they seem depressed? Fearful? Distracted? Pay attention to what's happening for students socially at lunchtime, in the hallways, or in other areas of your school campus. Has their friend group changed? Do you sense a conflict between students? Are you overhearing talk about "drama" or "haters" (two words kids might use to describe cyberbullying situations)? Don't be afraid to check in with students directly about what's going on. And reach out to their support networks, including parents or caregivers, the school counselor, a coach, or other teachers.

Obviously, cyberbullying is something to take seriously. At the same time, it's important to remember that, depending on their ages, kids are still developing skills like empathy, self-regulation, and how to communicate respectfully online. These situations can be learning opportunities for everyone involved.

School, district, and/or state policies might determine what actions you take once you've verified that cyberbullying has in fact occurred. Sometimes the recommended response is different depending on whether the bullying occurred on a school-issued device, and whether it happened outside of school hours or during the school day. Be sure to involve the students' families, school administrators, and counselor as appropriate, to ensure the intervention is effective and follows policy.

Here are a few resources to support teachers and schools in responding to cyberbullying:

• Helping Students Deal with Cyberbullying (NEA)
• Cyberbullying Fact Sheet: Identification, Prevention, and Response (Cyberbullying Research Center)
• Bullying: What Educators Can Do About It (PennState Extension)
• Responding to Cyberbullying: Guidelines for Administrators ( The No Bully School Partnership )

As educators, it's our responsibility to teach students how to use digital media in respectful and safe ways. This includes helping kids learn how to identify, respond to, and avoid cyberbullying. Given the demands on teachers to meet school, district, and state goals, it can be a challenge to figure out where these lessons fit into the school day. Fortunately, as technology becomes part of every aspect of our lives, including how we teach and learn, more schools and districts are giving teachers the time and resources to prioritize these skills. Here are a few ways to approach cyberbullying prevention in the classroom:

• Promote a positive and safe classroom culture. Whether or not you have technology in the classroom, setting norms of respectful communication sends a message to your students about what is and isn't acceptable. Find ways to demonstrate that your classroom is a safe, emotionally caring environment. Provide resources in the classroom to help students identify, respond to, and avoid cyberbullying. This could be tips on how to respond to cyberbullying (for elementary school or middle and high school ) or the phone number for the Crisis Text Line .
• Embrace teachable "dig cit" moments. Step up when you encounter a teachable moment related to cyberbullying or respectful online communication. Encourage students to pay attention to "red flag moments"—when something happens on digital media that makes them feel uncomfortable, worried, sad, or anxious. Explain to students the three ways they can and should respond if they witness cyberbullying: support the target of the bullying (be an ally); try to stop the cyberbullying (be an upstander); and/or tell a trusted adult (report it). It may not be part of your lesson plan, and it may set you off track for a bit, but every time you reinforce anti-cyberbullying messages, you're doing the critical work of cyberbullying prevention. And as hard as it may be to admit, ignoring these teachable moments also sends a message your students will remember.
•   Incorporate lessons on cyberbullying into your existing curriculum. Find connections to the content you're already teaching and make time to address cyberbullying directly. From setting norms of online communication to using historical examples of propaganda and hate speech to discussing a bullying situation in a novel you're reading, the possible connections to cyberbullying can be made with a little planning. And since it's possible someone in class is dealing with cyberbullying, it's helpful to stay attuned and sensitive to students.
• Advocate for a school- or district-wide digital citizenship program. The most effective cyberbullying prevention strategy has to involve the whole community. A fully integrated digital citizenship program gives teachers the time and resources to tackle these topics head-on, provides kids with consistent and frequent opportunities to build their skills, and supports families as they reinforce the messages at home.

The Common Sense K–12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum teaches students about the effects of cyberbullying on both themselves and their larger communities. They are encouraged to take the active role of upstander and build positive, supportive online communities, and they can learn how to cultivate empathy, compassion, and courage to combat negative interactions online.

Grades K–5:

• Putting a STOP to Online Meanness (Grade 2): What should you do if someone is mean to you online?
• The Power of Words (Grade 3): What should you do when someone uses mean or hurtful language on the internet?
• Be a Super Digital Citizen (Grade 4): How can we be upstanders when we see cyberbullying?
• Is It Cyberbullying? (Grade 5): What is cyberbullying, and what can you do to stop it? 
• Don't have time for a full lesson? Here's a quick activity .

Grades 6–8 :

• Digital Drama Unplugged (Grade 6): How can you de-escalate digital drama so it doesn't go too far?
• Upstanders and Allies (Grade 7): How can you respond when cyberbullying occurs?
• Responding to Online Hate Speech (Grade 8): How should you respond to online hate speech?

Grades 9–12 :

• What You Send in "That Moment When... " (Grade 9): How can we act with empathy and positivity when we're online?
• Countering Hate Speech Online (Grade 10): How can we counter online hate speech and xenophobia?
• Online Disinhibition and Cyberbullying (Grade 11): How does online disinhibition sometimes lead to cyberbullying?
• The Consequences of Online Hate Speech (Grade 12): Should online hate speech be censored?

How can teachers work with families to identify and prevent cyberbullying?

The first step is to communicate with your students' families about your expectations in the classroom and explain the skills you're helping students learn related to positive, responsible media use. When parents are informed and on board, they're more likely to reinforce the messages at home.

Since families often look to schools for guidance on dealing with cyberbullying, you can offer them the latest advice and resources on the topic. Spark a conversation by sending home these printable Family Tips or handing them out at meetings with parents and caregivers. You can also share resources in a classroom newsletter, on your class website or social feed, or at your next parent event.

Erin’s work focused on supporting students, teachers, and families for over a decade. As content director for family and community engagement at Common Sense, she provided parents and caregivers with practical tips and strategies for managing media and tech at home, and supports teachers in strengthening partnerships with families. Prior to her work with Common Sense, Erin taught public high school students and adult English learners in Kansas City. Her time as a National Writing Project teacher consultant nurtured her passion for student digital creation and media literacy. She has bachelor's degrees in English and secondary education and a master's degree in instructional design and technology. Erin loves to knit, read, hike, and bake. But who has time for hobbies with two young kids? In her free time these days, you'll find her hanging out at playgrounds, the zoo, and the beach with her family.

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Resources to help foster empathy in every classroom, every day.

Tips and Resources to Prevent Cyberbullying

Lesson plans and more to help your students recognize, respond to, and avoid online bullying.

7 Easy Ways to Get Families on Board with Digital Citizenship

Make digital citizenship a priority at school and at home.

The Dangers of Cyberbullying

How it works

In this essay I will explain to you what cyberbullying is, where you can find it the most, and why you should stop it. Cyberbullying has been around for a long time and can be used to in many ways. I personally have never dealt with someone cyberbullying me, but I have had friends that went through it and I can say to you it was very rough for them and I don’t wish that upon anyone. The reason that I am writing about this is because I was to aware the reader that this is a serious problem and many people think of it as a joke because they think if its online you can just block them and be done with it but it’s not that simple.

My goal for this essay is to inform people what it is and how you can help stop it.

Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs on cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can also occur through text, social media, and video games. Some of the forms of cyberbullying is sending, posting negative or harmful tings about someone knowing that I will affect the person’s life in a large scale. Some forms of something that can be harmful is posting something that is private to the person that no one else knows about. Something personal would include a story of something or a private conversation between that person and someone else. According to StopBullying.gov, a place that we often see cyberbullying is on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat) and through Text Messaging.

According to Comparitech, in 2018 the united states has 28 accounts of cyberbullying to this date. This is a decrease since 2016 which was 34 accounts of cyberbullying. The United States has the 3rd highest accounts of cyberbullying violence in 2018 it is under Brazil which has 29 accounts of cyber bullying and India which has 37 accounts of cyberbullying. Other places don’t have such high accounts of cyberbullying because they have certain laws that are very strong and have punishments for bullying someone. According to Cyberbullying.org, the United States started to lower their cyberbullying count is because almost all the states in the U.S have put laws that give punishments to people that are found bullying someone in anyway but especially online.

In the world 87 percent of today’s youth have seen someone being cyberbullied. Which if you think about it this is not the way that kids should be growing up. Kids should not have to worry about anything being a teenager you have no worries you are supposed to enjoy your life and make the most out of your younger years and that is something that all people should experience. During my childhood I never experienced being bullied over a computer, but I have been bullied in person. I can feel the pain that other feel the only difference with me was that I was able to gain strength in myself to confront the person that was doing it to me and I made him stop doing what he was doing. The only reason that people do this I personally believe is because in some way they are very insecure about themselves and they feel like you have a better life then they do. They want you to not enjoy your life because they aren’t.

According to Teensafe, 34 percent of students say that they have experienced cyberbullying while 15 percent of students admit to cyberbullying others. That number does not make sense if you think about it. How can 15 percent of students admit to cyberbullying others if 34 percent have experienced it. I believe the reason for this is because people know the punishment for bullying someone else, so they do it, but they think that they will never get caught for what they did. Those people don’t think before they do, they don’t know what them saying can do to a person. They don’t understand you can cause this person to kill themselves or if they went to the police then that person can go to jail for a long time, ruining their life.

I believe if schools talked to the students about it but really talked about it not just a quick overview of what it is and how you should go to an adult and tell them, then who knows if this will be a huge issue in the future. As of right now 24 percent of kids don’t know what they should do if they are getting harassed online. One of the things that most mobile services will tell you to do is to enable your privacy settings, so people can’t see your account. Actually, 39 percent of kids don’t enable their privacy settings. If they did this, it would be one way of preventing cyberbullying before it even started to happen. Some other ways of preventing it from happening is to block the person if he/she does contact you and immediate tell someone and they you can go from there.

The common knowledge for the people that get cyberbullied the most is girls and that is completely correct. Girls are 41 percent more likely to get bullied online then a boy is which is 28 percent. This is completely understandable because most people attack girls because they are more sensitive at this age and become more fearful of what could happen while man because of the whole male masculinity in the world take it as a joke. The most common place for a girl to get bullied online is on their comments on photos or on snapchat. While most of the time for men it happens on video games because that is where most guys are. If a man is attacking a woman online, they will most likely put up photos or videos that they know will hurt the person they are trying to get it to.

In conclusion cyberbullying is a big problem in this world and should be taken very seriously if you know someone who is dealing with it right now. To review if someone you know is getting bullied online you should contact an adult or if it is serious go to the police and explain the situation. If you want your chances of getting cyberbullied to decrease make all your social media accounts private, if the person request to follow you make sure that you know who they are and if you don’t just ask your parents if they are a friend of the family. If you don’t have your account private and they contact, your immediate block them and tell an adult what just happened, and they will know what to do. I hope this helps you understand what cyberbullying is and what to do.

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The Real-Life Effects of Cyberbullying on Children

Learn about the range of emotional and psychological effects that cyberbullying can have on children and teens.

• Emotional Effects
• Mental Effects
• Behavioral Effects
• Physical Effects

Any type of bullying can have physical and psychological effects on a child. Anxiety, fear, depression, low self-esteem, behavioral issues, and academic struggles are just of the few challenges kids may experience if they are targets. Cyberbullying, however, may be particularly damaging.

There are several possible reasons for this. For example, unlike traditional bullying —which is often limited to school and known bullies—cyberbullying can occur at any time, day or night, and be perpetrated by anonymous sources. This makes it more relentless and, often, more cruel.

While cyberbullying can happen in a public digital space, like on social media post, it can also take the form of private messages—leaving some kids managing this secret, and its effect on them, alone. Being aware of all of the effects of cyberbullying cannot only help you support a child you know is affected, but help you become more aware of signs that may be reason for concern—and a conversation.

Emily Roberts

Emotional Effects of Cyberbullying

Not surprisingly, cyberbullying can be a significant stressor in a young person's life. In fact, research shows that 32% of kids who are targets of cyberbullying report experiencing at least one symptom of stress.

In addition to feeling distressed, they also may feel embarrassed, hurt, and even fear for their safety. They may even blame themselves for the cyberbullying. Below are some additional emotional ramifications of cyberbullying.

If you notice a change in your child's mood, don't hesitate to reach out to a health care provider for evaluation and support.

Humiliation

Because cyberbullying occurs in cyberspace , online bullying feels permanent. Kids know that once something is out there, it will always be out there. They can feel exposed, embarrassed, and overwhelmed.

When cyberbullying occurs, the nasty posts, messages, or texts can be shared with multitudes of people. The sheer volume of people that know about the bullying can lead to intense feelings of humiliation.

Cyberbullying sometimes causes kids to be excluded and ostracized at school. Consequently, they may feel alone and isolated. This experience can be particularly painful because friends are crucial at this age. When kids don’t have friends, this can lead to more bullying. 

When cyberbullying occurs, parents sometimes recommend shutting off the computer or turning off the cell phone. But for many kids, using these devices is considered the most important way they communicate with others . Turning them off often means cutting off their connection with their world, which can make them feel more secluded.

Many victims of cyberbullying will get angry about what is happening to them. In fact, research indicates that anger is the most common response to cyberbullying (followed by being upset and worried).

Some kids that are victimized may even plot revenge and engage in retaliation. Aside from the trouble they could get into, this approach is dangerous because it can keep them locked in the bully-victim cycle. If your child seems intensely angry over cyberbullying, it may help for them to speak with a counselor or therapist who can teach them to channel that anger in productive ways.

Powerlessness

Victims of cyberbullying often find it difficult to feel safe. They may feel vulnerable and powerless. Typically, these feelings surface because the online bullying can invade their home through a computer or cell phone at any time of day. They no longer have a place where they can escape.

Additionally, because the bullies can remain anonymous, this realization may escalate feelings of fear. Sometimes kids who are targeted may have no idea who is inflicting the pain, although some cyberbullies choose people they know and have no problem identifying themselves.

Mental Health Effects of Cyberbullying

When cyberbullying is ongoing, victims may relate to the world around them differently than others. For many, life can feel hopeless and meaningless.

They may lose interest in things they once enjoyed and spend less time interacting with family and friends. And, in some cases, depression and suicidal ideation can set in .

Depression and Anxiety

Victims of cyberbullying may succumb to anxiety, depression, and other stress-related conditions. The added stress of coping with cyberbullying on a regular basis can steal their feelings of happiness and contentment. It also can increase feelings of worry and isolation.

Research has consistently supported the notion that increasing levels of cyberbullying lead to higher levels of depression . In fact, one study found that 93% of those victimized by cyberbullying reported feelings of sadness, powerlessness, and hopelessness.

Low Self-Esteem

Online bullying can have an impact on self-esteem. Targets of bullying may begin to feel intense dissatisfaction with who they are. As a result, they can begin to doubt their worth and value.

Researchers speculate that because young people have an intense psychological need to be part of and accepted by a peer group, cyberbullying may cause psychological maladjustment, reduced well-being, and ultimately low self-esteem .

Academic Issues

Kids being victimized by cyberbullying may lose interest in school. As a result, they often have much higher rates of absenteeism than non-bullied kids. They may skip school to avoid facing the kids cyberbullying them or because they are embarrassed and humiliated by the messages that were shared online.

Their grades may also suffer because they find it difficult to concentrate or study. And in some cases, kids may either drop out of school or lose interest in continuing their education after high school.

Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm

Sometimes targets of cyberbullying respond to their intense feelings by harming themselves in some way. For instance, some might engage in self-harm such as cutting or burning themselves. In fact, research has consistently linked bullying and self-harm .

Cyberbullying also increases the risk of suicide. Kids that are constantly tormented by peers through text messages, instant messaging, social media, or apps can sometimes feel hopeless and may consider harming themselves.

If your child is experiencing suicidal ideation, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

Behavioral Effects of Cyberbullying

Kids who are cyberbullied may display the same behavioral changes as those who are bullied in more traditional ways. For example, they exhibit a loss of interest in activities and engage in secretive behavior.

In extreme cases, or when cyberbullying is prolonged, kids sometimes even exhibit more significant behavioral changes . These can include:

• Using drugs or alcohol: Kids who are harassed online are more likely to engage in substance abuse. In fact, one study found that targets of cyberbullying were 2.5 times more likely to use marijuana or engage in binge drinking than their peers.
• Skipping school: Sometimes when kids are cyberbullied, the thought of going to school is just more than they can handle. Consequently, it's not uncommon for them to skip school or even behave in such a way that results in suspension. In one survey, those who were cyberbullied reported two or more suspensions or detentions in the prior year.
• Carrying a weapon: Even more concerning is the fact that kids who are cyberbullied are more likely to bring a weapon to school. In fact, one survey found that targets of cyberbullying were eight times more likely to have brought a weapon to school in the last 30 days than their peers.

Physical Effects of Cyberbullying

Being targeted by cyberbullies can be crushing, especially if a lot of kids are participating in it. Possible feelings of overwhelm and stress can manifest physically, which issues such as:

• Gastrointestinal Complications: The stress of bullying also can cause or worsen conditions like upset stomach, abdominal pain, and stomach ulcers. Kids may also struggle with frequent nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Disordered Eating: Kids who are cyberbullied may experience changes in eating habits like skipping meals or binge eating . Because their lives feel out of control, they may look to their eating patterns as something they can control. These efforts may morph into a full-blown eating disorder, especially if the bullying has caused a distorted body image.
• Sleep disturbances: Experiencing cyberbullying can impact a person's sleep patterns. They may suffer from sleep issues like insomnia, sleeping more than usual, or nightmares.

If you notice that your child is experiencing changes in their eating and sleeping habits, or if they are experiencing increased physical issues, it's important to speak with a pediatrician or health care provider. These could be signs of bigger issue that needs evaluation.

The Bottom Line

If your child is being cyberbullied, it's important to help them take steps to deal with the issue and ultimately feel better. This may mean reporting cyberbullying to social media companies, school officials, and even the police. Make sure you do what you can to put an end to the torment , including becoming familiar with the laws surrounding cyberbullying.

In the meantime, do not dismiss your child's feelings. Do what you can to make them feel empowered. Communicate with them daily and keep close tabs on changes in mood and behavior. Seek the help of a health care professional if you notice any changes at all.

People who are victimized by cyberbullying can benefit from having a counselor or therapist who teaches them how to cope with and respond to cyberbullying in healthy ways. Developing effective coping strategies can help your child weather this storm while building resilience and perseverance.

Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health . Adolesc Health Med Ther .

Defining cyberbullying .  Pediatrics .

Cyberbullying victimization, self-esteem and suicidal ideation in adolescence: does emotional intelligence play a buffering role ?  Front Psychol .

Cyberbullying in children and youth: implications for health and clinical practice . Can J Psychiatry .

Karanikola MNK, Lyberg A, Holm AL, Severinsson E. The association between deliberate self-harm and school bullying victimization and the mediating effect of depressive symptoms and self-stigma: a systematic review .  Biomed Res Int . 2018;2018:4745791. doi:10.1155/2018/4745791

• Alavi N, Reshetukha T, Prost E, et al. Relationship between bullying and suicidal behaviour in youth presenting to the emergency eepartment . J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry . 2017;26(2):70-77.

Examining the overlap in internet harassment and school bullying: implications for school intervention . J Adolesc Health .

Cyber victimization is associated with eating disorder psychopathology in adolescents .  Front Psychol .

Related Articles

10 Steps to Help Your Child Prevent and Address Cyberbullying

• October 29, 2021
• Patients and Families

Your tween or teenager spends a lot of time on the internet, smart phones, and video games. I’m sure you wonder if this is ok, but you trust your child and you know this is common among their peers. In this digital era, technology has become intertwined with socialization, education, creativity, and play. And it is always available. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the use on virtual social interactions as the main form of interacting among peers. Close friends, acquaintances, friends of friends, and even bullies have constant access to them through digital devices.

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is defined as repetitive and non-accidental harm that is perpetrated through the digital world via electronic devices. 1 It can include name calling, threats, rumor spreading, sharing of explicit images, and so on. Cyberbullying is pervasive and may take advantage of anonymity and large audiences of the virtual world. 2

The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey identified that 20% of high school students were bullied on school property and that 16% were cyberbullied. 3 However, some data has suggested that most teens have been victims of some form of cyberbullying. Furthermore, 85% of those involved in cyberbullying are also involved in traditional bullying 4 and many victims of cyberbullying are at higher risk of becoming perpetrators later on. 5

How does Cyberbullying Affect Mental Health?

Tweens and teens are vulnerable to the negative impacts of cyberbullying. It can be emotionally and psychologically devastating for youths Research has indicated that 94% of tweens that have been victims of cyberbullying reported that it negatively impacted their life. 2 Victims are at higher risk of developing depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, substance abuse, and anxiety. 6, 7, 8 Despite the negative impact, many teens and tweens may be reluctant to discuss their experience with cyberbullying with their parents or adults. And it can be challenging for parents and families to detect and intervene. Therefore, ensuring that you know how to talk to your child about this is of utmost importance.

Cyberbullying Among Marginalized Populations

There has been more emerging research looking at cyberbullying's impact on mental health among minorities. A study was looked at high school students in Hawaii that are of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and found that cyberbullying is common and causes serious potential consequences that includes youth reporting feeling badly about themselves. 9 A cross sectional study was done on 1,031 adolescents and assessed the prevalence of cyberbullying among minority populations compared to non-minority in an emergency room setting. Sexual orientation and increased use of social media were found to be significantly correlated with higher incidence of cyberbullying. 10

10 Steps to Help Your Child

As a technology consultant and child psychiatrist, Jacques Ambrose, M.D. often receives inquiries from parents about how to protect their children from cyberbullying.  In response, he has developed the following guidelines to help parents approach their children about cyberbullying:

• Focus on the relationship with your child – In combating cyberbullying, one of the most important tools for parents is cultivating their relationships with their children. Many youths have mentioned to Dr. Ambrose that when they inevitably encounter problems, they are unsure if they could turn to their parents/guardians for help: Would they be met with yelling and screaming or guidance and support? Do your children share exciting news about their new friends, seek comfort when there are disappointments in their friendships, or ask for help in potentially perilous social situations? If you are uncertain of the answer, lean into the discomfort and ask your children for specific ways to build better communication.
• Underscore the pillar of safety – As children navigate their own interactions at different stages of their lives, they may attempt new experiences without recognizing the consequences. In navigating your involvement in your children’s social world, it is helpful to emphasize and contextualize your priority as safety.
• Acknowledge the necessity of virtual social interactions – Given the vast variety of social media platforms, it is futile and unhelpful for parents to know and block them all. As a result, aim to cultivate a curiosity about your children’s virtual social interactions as a way to better inform yourself and build connections with your child.
• Establish a regular routine for checking in – Try to create a foundation of trust, openness, and security by proactively establishing a regular schedule to ask about your child’s social interactions. For example, ask about your child’s friends and online experiences during a weekly one-on-one parent-child lunch.
• Validate your child’s emotions – When your child does share about their social lives, you can reinforce further sharing by listening emphatically and mirroring your children’s emotions. For example, “This morning, you said that John sent you a message calling you a demeaning name. It seems to deeply hurt your feelings. Since you considered John a friend, it must have felt like a betrayal.”
• Give your rationale if there will be restrictions – In certain situations, it can be appropriate for parents and guardians to impose healthy boundaries. However, by taking the time to explain your rationale, you can link the restrictions to the concerning behaviors, further reinforcing the focus of safety. For example, “I've noticed you spending a lot of time on Instagram and often comparing yourself to people you see on Instagram, and it seems to bring you down. Could we agree on a limit on Instagram time?”
• Seek your child’s inputs in building a safer online presence – Leaning on your children’s inputs signals that you respect their individuality and growing adulthood and can foster parent-child trust for future social situations. For example, “Since reading the mean comments on your Youtube videos really upset you, I worry about how they may be affecting your emotions. Do you think we should disable the comment section or take a break from Youtube all together?”
• Avoid overly harsh punishments/restrictions – Extreme restrictions and punishments may exacerbate the anxiety in your child for fear of further restrictions, and it may deter them from informing you about precarious situations. For example, in lieu of taking away your child’s internet access for a month, consider a shorter duration or having ways that they can regain access by demonstrating safe and appropriate internet-related behaviors.
• Recognize warning signs – Parents and guardians should be mindful of signs and symptoms where cyberbullying may have already occurred. Depending on the developmental age, children may express irritability and anxiety surrounding online situations. Some children may have trouble with schoolwork. . In severe cases, some children may exhibit severe mood symptoms such as, hopelessness, profoundly depressed mood, or expressing self-harm and suicidal statements and acts.
• Seek professional assistance in refractory and/or dangerous situations – In any situation where you are concerned about significant distress and mental health impacts on your child consider reaching out to a mental health professional, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, for help. In certain situations, it will be essential to involve the school or the social media platforms to intervene on the cyberbullying behaviors by blocking or banning the offenders. In particularly predatory situations, parents and guardians may even consider legal involvement. However, the crux of all these interventions should centralize around protecting the child.

Although navigating the quagmires of virtual social interactions and cyberbullying can be daunting, parents and guardians can model appropriate boundaries and effective communications for their children. Given the ever-changing nature of the internet and social media, investing in building a trusting foundation and framework to maneuver uncomfortable conversations can pay dividends for future parent-child interactions and can help your child manage the challenges of growing up in a digital world.

By Jacques Ambrose, M.D., M.P.H., Rana Elmaghraby, M.D., and Stephanie Garayalde, M.D. on behalf of the APA Council on Children, Adolescents, and their Families

• Cyberbullying Research Center: https://cyberbullying.org/what-is-cyberbullying
• Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2021). Cyberbullying Identification, Prevention, and Response. Cyberbullying Research Center ( cyberbullying.org ).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Supplement on the 2019 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) . MMWR.2019;69(SS-01). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBSDataSummaryTrendsReport2019-508.pdf
• Khan, F., Limbana, T., Zahid, T., Eskander, N., & Jahan, N. (2020). Traits, Trends, and Trajectory of Tween and Teen Cyberbullies. Cureus , 12(8), e9738. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.9738
• Yudes, C., Rey, L., & Extremera, N. (2020). Predictive Factors of Cyberbullying Perpetration amongst Spanish Adolescents. International journal of environmental research and public health , 17(11), 3967. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113967
• Englander E, Donnerstein E, Kowalski R, Lin CA, Parti K. Defining Cyberbullying. Pediatrics. 2017 Nov;140(Suppl 2):S148-S151. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-1758U. PMID: 29093051.
• John, A., Glendenning, A. C., Marchant, A., Montgomery, P., Stewart, A., Wood, S., Lloyd, K., & Hawton, K. (2018). Self-Harm, Suicidal Behaviours, and Cyberbullying in Children and Young People: Systematic Review. Journal of medical Internet research , 20(4), e129. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9044
• Zhu, C., Huang, S., Evans, R., & Zhang, W. (2021). Cyberbullying Among Adolescents and Children: A Comprehensive Review of the Global Situation, Risk Factors, and Preventive Measures. Frontiers in public health , 9, 634909. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.634909
• Goebert, D. Else, I. Matsu, C., et al. The impact of cyberbullying on substance use and mental health in a multiethnic sample. Matern Child Health J, 2011 Nov;15(8):1282-6.
• Duarte, C., Pittman, S. K., Thorsen, M. M., Cunningham, R. M., & Ranney, M. L. (2018). Correlation of Minority Status, Cyberbullying, and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1031 Adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma , 11(1), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-018-0201-4

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The Dangers of Cyberbullying and How To Prevent It

What are some of the dangers of cyberbullying and how can you help? What are some of the possible effects of cyberbullying on social media? Let's find out more about The Dangers of Cyberbullying and How To Prevent It.

What are some of the dangers of cyberbullying and how can you help?

Risks associated with cyberbullying are comparable to any other form of bullying, such as physical and emotional bullying. Children who are the victim of cyberbullying can feel sad, scared and weak.Cyberbullying can affect a child's self-esteem, social skills and confidence. If you are concerned that a child is the victim of a cyberbullying attack, you should look out for the signs that it is happening, such as making comments or posting something online that could hurt or upset the child. You can also try to find out what type of cyberbullying is happening and help the child by reporting it to someone who can help.

There are many ways to help protect children from online bullying. You can offer your child protective information, like the American Academy of Pediatrics' "1-800-SPEAK-OUT" campaign, and talk with them about the importance of cyberbullying prevention. You can also join online communities that focus on cyberbullying prevention, like Safe6teen and CyberSafe. Finally, you can help your child learn the important concepts about cyberbullying, like how to report any suspicious behavior, and how to handle social media interactions that could be considered bullying.

What are some of the possible effects of cyberbullying on social media?

American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes cyberbullying as "a brutally effective form of peer pressure in which children, adolescents, and adults use technology to communicate anonymously and incessantly about their physical and emotional well-being." Cyberbullying can have a wide-ranging impact on social media users, including both bullies and those who are bullied. Bullies can causePhysical health problems, poor academic performance, a desire to drop out of school, and even suicidal ideation. Cyberbullying perpetrators themselves are also at an increased risk of issues such as substance abuse and experiencing violence.

There are a few ways to prevent cyberbullying from happening in the first place. The first is to be Aware of the issue and beigilous of what is happening online. It's also important to be aware of who is online with you, as some people may try toto hurt or harass you simply because they feel like they have the power. You can also report any bullying that you witness, understand that it may not be a crime, and always consult with a trusted friend or family member for support if needed. Finally, one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself is to read about cyberbullying and how it can effect people's social lives. This can help you identify any red flags that could lead to unwanted cyberbullying and help you take steps to stop it from happening in your life.

Do cyberbullying technologies have an impact on physical health?

Warning signs of cyberbullying are observable increase or decrease in device use, emotional responses to what is happening on devices, and few want to be a part of negative behavior. If you see any of these warning signs in your child, take them to the help of a professional, like an educator or therapist. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences for young people and can lead to depression, anxiety and other problems.

Related: What is the dark web and how does it work? What are the dangers of using the dark web? Let's find out more about The Dark Web: What It Is and Why It's Dangerous .

Reduce the Amount of Cyber Bullying - StopBullying.gov Cyberbullying starts with words and continues with behavior. You can help reduce the amount of cyber bullying by being example-ative, bystander-y, and follow up after a situation has been resolved.

What is cyberbullying and how can it be stopped?

Effects of cyberbullying can be serious. Cyberbullying can include mean and harmfulcomments, sending Shifty Pictures, or even physical bullying. It's important to report it to your parents or friends so that they can help you stop the bullies.

Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to bully another person online. It can feel as if someone is playing a game with you, and the bullying can start by saying mean things about you or making fun of you. It can also hurt your feelings and make you feel like you're not good enough. Cyberbullying can also spread from person to person, so it's important to talk to someone who can help you stop it.

What are some negative effects of cyberbullying?

Effects of cyberbullying can be very harmful to both the individual being cyberbullied and also to those around them. If you are the victim of cyberbullying, it is important to take steps to stop it. Here are some tips:

Related: How much screen time do teens get? What factors account for the continued social media use among teens? Let's find out more about The Rise of 'Screen Time' and Its Effects On Teenage Social Lives .

1. Be aware of the impact that your cyberbullying has on yourself and others around you. Be honest with those who care about you about how the bullying has affected your well-being.

2. seek professional help if you feel that you are experiencing difficulties relating to or managing the bullying. there are many therapists who can help improve your mental health, and they may be able to offer support during times of cyberbullying as well., 3. take steps to protect yourself from being bullied online or in other ways too. use privacyprotections on your social media platforms, be aware of those around you when cyberspace is involved, and stay safe when traveling within an online space..

It can lead to feeling lonely and isolated. It can have a negative impact on your self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and regret.

4. It can cause you to become anxious or restless in the night when you are unable to sleep due to the fear of being cyberbullied again.

Do cyberbullying effects childrens well-being.

Dangers of cyberbullying are early childhood development teens and children who experience cyberbullying are at risk of emotional, behavioral and mental health issues. Cyberbullying has even led to teen suicide. Teens who are bullied are at a higher risk for suicide. Some studies have shown that children who experience cyberbullying can be up to two times as likely to attempt suicide.

The consequences of cyberbullying - A child who is targeted by cyberbullying also has a higher chance of experiencing depression, social isolation, excessive drinking and pornography use. Cyberbullying can also lead to difficulties in school, problems with productivity and a desire for revenge.

What are some ways to prevent cyberbullying?

Experience of cyberbullying can have significant consequences for children, including increased self-esteem and feelings of worth. When kids are regularly harassed by others using social media, text messages, instant messaging, and blog posts, they may start to feel hopeless. According to the Compendium on Youth Cyberbehavior (2001), cyberbullying is a problem that affects both boys and girls in school. In recent years, school districts have been taking steps to address the problem, but more needs to be done.

Related: What should I do if I think my child may have been interacting with an online predator? How can I keep my children safe online? Let's find out more about Online Predators and How To Avoid Them .

One way schools can help prevent cyberbullying is by threatening students with punishment if they don't take down harmful comments. Schools also can provide training for teachers on how to handle conversations about cyberbullying among students. Finally, schools should create public policies that restrict online activities that could lead to harassment or harm.

There are a few ways to help prevent cyberbullying:

• 1. Keep your social media platforms private.
• 2. Notify your parents or guardians when you see something that looks like bullying.
• 3. Talk to someone about what you're experiencing online.

What is cyberbullying, and what can you do to prevent it?

Bullying that takes place in the virtual world can be difficult to Spot. The communication and bullying takes place in a virtual setting, making it difficult for parents and teachers to spot the warning Signs. This can lead to a lot of damage being done to the victims' emotional wellbeing. There is a need for professionals who are able to help identify and prevent this type of bullying from happening in the first place.

• - Cyber bullying typically begins with innocuous comments or interactions that seem to berooted in kindness but quickly become rowsdy, hostile, and cruel.
• - It can persist for weeks or even months.
• - victims of cyber bullying may feel Mulitiplevictimized because they are not completely confident in their own abilities.
• - Cyberbullying is often child-led, meaning that children are more likely to engage in it if they feelrespected or at ease around others.

What are the risks of cyberbullying?

Social media victim law center has found that the higher likelihood of thinking about or attempting suicide compared to their peers not involved in cyberbullying (this effect of cyberbullying extends to both victims and perpetrators, with targets being almost twice as likely to and perpetrators being. times more likely). This is due in part to the fact that cyberbullying can have serious mental health consequences for those who are victimized, especially if they are not able to deal with it.

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• - Decrease negative reinforcement of cyberbullying behavior.
• - Encourage individuals who experience cyberbullying to seek support.
• - Advocate for changes in laws and practices that could reduce the occurrence and severity of cyberbullying.

What can I do if my child is being bullied online?

Objective of this article is to provide professional advice on how to prevent cyberbullying and protect your child from harmful digital behavior. Cyberbullying is a form of digital violence where someone talks negatively about another person electronically using electronic means. cyberbullying can damage relationships, disrupt schooling, and even lead to mental health issues for children. There are many steps that you can take in order to protect your child from cyberbullying, but these steps should be taken in conjunction with your child's school or court appointed guardian.

If you or your child has been cyberbullied, report it to a cyberully representative or school resource officer. Use age-appropriate technology tools to help blacklist and protect against online bullying.

Wikipedia:Cyberbullying wikipedia.org Cyberbullying wikipedia.org Cyberbullying Research Center cyberbullying.org Cyberbullying Research Center cyberbullying.org Prevent Cyberbullying stopbullying.gov How to Prevent Cyberbullying stopbullying.gov What is Cyberbullying Cyberbullying tuw.edu The dangers of cyberbullying msu.edu

What are some of the major advantages and disadvantages of using information technology in business? What are the different applications of information technology in business success marketing and business growth? Let's find out more about The Evolving Role of Information Technology In Business.

What are three ways we're using accessible technologies to make our products more accessible? How do I make the most out of technology? Let's find out more about How Can We Make the Most of Available Technology?.

How can parents keep their children's screens turned off during the day? How do you manage screen time for young children? Let's find out more about How Parents Can Manage Their Children's Screen Time.

What are some of the benefits of the Internet of Things? What are some implications of the Internet of Things for sociology? Let's find out more about The Internet of Things - What Are the Implications?.

Do companies monitor employee social media activity when it comes to personal use? What are some companies that monitor social media activity? Let's find out more about Should Employers Be Monitoring Their Employees' Social Media Activity?.

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W.H.O. Declares Global Emergency Over New Mpox Outbreak

The epidemic is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the virus has now appeared in a dozen other African countries.

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By Apoorva Mandavilli

The rapid spread of mpox, formerly called monkeypox, in African countries constitutes a global health emergency, the World Health Organization declared on Wednesday.

This is the second time in three years that the W.H.O. has designated an mpox epidemic as a global emergency. It previously did so in July 2022. That outbreak went on to affect nearly 100,000 people , primarily gay and bisexual men, in 116 countries, and killed about 200 people.

The threat this time is deadlier. Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths. Those most at risk include women and children under 15.

“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern D.R.C., its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.’s director general.

The outbreak has spread through 13 countries in Africa, including a few that had never reported mpox cases before. On Tuesday, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a “public health emergency of continental security,” the first time the organization has taken that step since the African Union granted it the power to do so last year.

“It’s in the interests of the countries, of the continent and of the world to get our arms around this and stop transmission as soon as we can,” said Dr. Nicole Lurie, the executive director for preparedness and response at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a nonprofit that finances vaccine development.

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