What are the Consequences of Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying can have serious emotional consequences for both children and teens. Bullying can take many forms but cyberbullying now gives bullies a new platform to be more destructive. Cyberbullying is the utilization of technology to repeatedly intimidate, compromise, humiliate, or shame someone else. While most cyberbullying can be easy to spot, with children it can easily become dangerous and less obvious. With advanced technology and virtual realties, bullies can easily send mortifying or corrupting messages, pictures, or recordings instantly. Furthermore, bullies can remain anonymous and hide their identity though screen names. Because cyberbullying can occur twenty-four hours a day, children are at risk of facing humiliation and suicidal thoughts. Cyberbullying in children is a problem because abuse can go viral, mental and physical health issues can occur, and children may not always disclose the issue to adults.
According to The World Health Organization, bullying is a significant public health problem that requires the purposeful and facilitated time and attention of those who serve in human service, government, and health sectors. The number of children who continue to be cyberbullied has continued to grow. A 2013 Pew Research Center study concluded that 20.8% of kids ages eight to 10 reported that they have been cyberbullied at least once in their life, while 88% of social media-using teens say they have witnessed someone being mean or cruel on a social media site. Unfortunately, not many U.S parents are well educated on the dangers of cyberbullying and only about seven percent are concerned about this situation. However, research shows that 33% of adolescents stated that they had suffered because of cyberbullying.
Research has shown that children who are victims of cyberbullying are targeted for having specific character traits. Children who are socially anxious tend to become loners and some become victims of cyberbullying. Because socially anxious children want limited interaction with peers, they may seek the internet for low impact communication. This can become dangerous because bullies will target these kinds of children. Furthermore, bullies prefer to target children who seem vulnerable and who are lonely. Thus, they will find these kinds of children online. Also, some targets may lack proper social skills.
What Are The Consequences Of Cyberbullying?. (2019, Apr 23). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/what-are-the-consequences-of-cyberbullying/
