What is cyberbullying? Forms, examples, and how to combat it

Contents:

• What is cyberbullying
• What are the types of cyberbullying
• Who can become a victim of cyberbullying
• Why do people become aggressors
• What to do if you become a victim of cyberbullying?
• What to do if my child becomes a victim of cyberbullying

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• What is cyberbullying and what types are there?
• Who can become a victim?
• Why do people attack others online?
• What to do if you or your child have become a victim.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is online bullying that can manifest itself in the form of insults, mean jokes in messages or comments, as well as the publication of personal information, such as an address, phone number, or intimate photos. In addition, cyberbullying includes threatening posts. According to a study by the VK service, about 60% of Russians have experienced aggression on social networks at least once. It is important to recognize the seriousness of this problem and take steps to prevent it and mitigate its consequences.

What are the types of cyberbullying?

There are many forms of online bullying, but there are a few main examples. Cyberbullying, or online bullying, includes actions such as insults, threats, spreading false information, and stalking. Trolling, which manifests itself in provocative comments aimed at provoking a negative reaction, can also be considered online bullying. Shaming is the public condemnation of a person for their appearance, behavior, or personal preferences. It is important to recognize that online bullying can have a serious impact on the mental health of victims, so it is necessary to raise awareness of this problem and ways to prevent it.

• Boycott is ignoring the victim on social media or cutting off contact with them. Example: classmates have removed a child from the class chat, and they are cut off from news, shared plans, and events.
• Harassment is when the aggressor regularly threatens the victim online, asks unpleasant, personal questions, or blackmails them. Example: a guy who was rejected from dating messages a girl on different platforms that he knows her address, will come to her, and force her to communicate with him anyway.
• Trolling is ridicule using insults. Example: teenagers turned a friend's bad photo into an offensive meme.
• Outing is the publication of personal information without the owner's permission. Example: you had a fight with a friend, and he posted your phone number asking him to bombard you with insults.
• Dissing is also the publication of personal information, but information that could harm or destroy the victim's reputation. Example: A guy posts intimate photos of his ex-girlfriend for revenge.

Who can become a victim of cyberbullying?

Cases of schoolchildren becoming victims of bullying by classmates are common. Stories of celebrities who face negative comments and insults online are equally common. These examples highlight the relevance of the problem of bullying and online aggression, which requires public attention and effective solutions.

American singer Selena Gomez has limited her online presence due to attacks from haters. Similarly, Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak also shared in an interview how negative comments affect her emotional state. She noted, "I encounter a huge amount of malice and hatred. Every second comment contains threats or insults, such as: 'Die, we hate you, horse, shoot, burn.'" These examples highlight how aggressive behavior online can have a devastating impact on the mental health of people, especially those in the public eye.

Online bullying can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. It's important to recognize that it's impossible to protect yourself from it, and precautions aren't always effective. Understanding the scale of the problem and its consequences is key to combating cyberbullying.

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Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior that manifests itself in humiliation, intimidation, and harassment of the victim. It can occur in various environments, such as school, the workplace, and social media. In the school environment, bullying often manifests as physical or verbal violence between students. This may include teasing, threats, or physical attacks.

In adults, bullying can take the form of psychological pressure or manipulation at work, leading to decreased morale and productivity. On social media, bullying becomes especially prevalent, with bullies exploiting anonymity to post offensive comments, engage in cyberbullying, and spread rumors.

It's important to recognize that bullying has serious consequences for the mental and emotional health of victims. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and other problems. Combating bullying requires a collaborative effort among communities, educational institutions, and employers to create a safe and supportive environment.

Why People Become Bullies

A cyberbullying bully is an individual who initiates or supports acts of harassment online. Most often, people take on the role of a bully for a number of reasons. First, it may stem from a desire to assert power or influence over others. Second, bullies may lack empathy and be unaware of the consequences of their actions on victims. Sometimes they act out of envy or self-doubt, attempting to boost their self-esteem at the expense of others. It is also common for bullies to mimic the behavior they observe in their circles, whether in real life or in the media. Understanding the reasons why people become bullies is an important step in combating cyberbullying and creating a safer online space.

• They themselves have been bullied and now want revenge and/or self-affirmation.
• They believe this is a way to achieve justice. For example, they bully someone who, in their opinion, has offended or hurt someone. Incidentally, this type of aggressor makes up 29% of all bullying initiators.
• They feel hostility towards certain groups of people. For example, towards representatives of other races and nationalities, towards women, and so on.
• They are bored, want to experience emotions, and feel impunity. Unfortunately, there is a category of people who engage in cyberbullying simply because they think it's fun and understand that the Internet provides them with anonymity.

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An abuser is a person who uses psychological, emotional, or physical violence against another person. This can be either a man or a woman. It is important to understand that abusive behavior can manifest itself in many forms and is not limited to romantic relationships. A woman can also become an abuser, harming her partner or even an ex. It is important to note that abuse can also occur in a professional environment, when a colleague uses manipulation or pressure to achieve their goals. Understanding the nature of abuse and its manifestations will help you recognize toxic relationships and protect yourself from them.

What to do if you become a victim of cyberbullying?

• Usually, the behavior of any aggressor is driven by envy, the desire for self-affirmation, and the desire to splash out negative emotions. Therefore, remember that any online insults are a reflection of the bully's insecurity, not your own shortcomings.
• 56% of bullies are dissatisfied with the outcome of their bullying because the victim doesn't react the way they would like. This suggests that the bully is primarily trying to provoke the victim's emotions. Don't show them to the initiator. Ignore the person, or better yet, block them.
• Remember that every social network is obliged to ensure user safety: report the profile of the person bullying you, explaining the reason in detail to the support team.
• If you can't cope with cyberbullying on your own, be sure to tell someone close to you and/or consult a psychologist.
• If the bullying crosses boundaries and threatens your reputation, mental health, or life, contact the police. Often, bullies think they can get away with online abuse, but that's not true: police are required to accept your report, even if the only thing you know about the offender is their nickname.

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Gaslighting is psychological manipulation in which one party causes another to doubt their memory, perception, or common sense. The term comes from the play "Gaslight," in which a husband makes his wife doubt reality, gradually undermining her confidence. Gaslighting can manifest itself in various forms, such as denial of facts, blame shifting, and distortion of information. As a result, the victim begins to lose confidence in themselves and their feelings, which can lead to serious emotional problems. Understanding gaslighting can help people recognize manipulation and protect themselves from psychological abuse.

What to do if my child is a victim of cyberbullying

If your child reported that they are experiencing cyberbullying, this is an important step towards resolving the problem. Often, schoolchildren are afraid to talk about it and prefer to resolve issues on their own. Recognizing the problem is the first step in combating cyberbullying and can help you support your child during this difficult time. It's important to create a safe and trusting environment where your child can openly discuss their experiences and receive the help they need.

Don't discount your son or daughter's experiences. What may seem insignificant to you can be a real disaster for a teenager. Understanding and support during this period are crucial, as adolescence is full of emotional and psychological challenges. Take the time to listen to them, show interest in their problems, and try to see the situation from their point of view. This will help build trust and improve family relationships.

Avoid using language that could cause misunderstandings or negative reactions. Instead, try to formulate your thoughts more constructively and neutrally. This will help avoid conflicts and improve communication. It's best to focus on the positive aspects and offer solutions rather than simply pointing out problems. This approach will create a more productive atmosphere for discussion and interaction.

Don't worry about being excluded from the class chat. Perhaps communicating with these people didn't bring you joy or was unproductive. It's better to focus on those who truly value your company and support you. It's important to surround yourself with those who foster your development and have a positive impact on your mood.

Approach this with humor.

Don't pay attention to it.

Focus on your goals and don't let negativity affect your mood. Ignore provocations and maintain a positive outlook. It's important to stay on top of things and not be distracted by unnecessary irritants. This will allow you to focus on what's truly important and achieve your desired results. Strive for development and self-improvement, despite external circumstances.

Discuss with your child the possibility of blocking bullies and offer various solutions to the problem. Analyze each suggestion together and choose the most appropriate solution.

• If the bully attends the same school as your child, you can contact a social worker. In this case, evidence will be useful; help them gather it: take screenshots, look for witnesses.
• If your child wants to change classes or schools, look for such an opportunity.
• If your child has been threatened, they may need the help of a psychologist. Tell them about these specialists.
• If strangers wrote to them, you should contact the police. Explain to your child why this is necessary.

Reading is an important part of our lives, contributing to the development of thinking and broadening our horizons. It allows us not only to gain new knowledge but also to develop our imagination. Research shows that regular reading improves concentration and memory, and also promotes emotional development. In today's world, where information is available in various formats, it is important to choose quality sources. Read books, articles, and scientific studies to enrich your inner world and become a more educated person. Don't forget that reading is not only useful but also enjoyable. Find time for your favorite works and discover new horizons.

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