Cyberbullying

The Internet is a defining factor of modern education. In fact, education has become more accessible and widespread than ever before because of the Internet. From using digital textbooks to getting a degree online, more classroom functions and student experiences are moving into cyberspace — including, unfortunately, bullying.

Despite all the good that the Internet has brought to students, parents, and teachers alike, there are people who use it with malicious intent. And just as bullying has existed since the dawn of time, virtual bullying has existed since the beginning of the Internet. This guide on cyber bullying from Maryville University Online will help you learn everything you need to know about cyber bullying, from relevant facts and statistics to helpful resources, so you can keep your teen safe online.

Cyber-bullying Definition 

According the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “cyber bullying” was first used in 1998. They define it as “the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person (such as a student) often done anonymously.” But as time has gone on and the Internet itself has evolved, so has the definition of cyber bullying.

Stopbullying.gov defines cyber bullying as “bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets”, whereas the Cyber bullying Research Center describes it as the “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.” Essentially, it’s the use of electronic communication to mirror the way a person would be bullied in real life, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.

Cyber-bullying vs. Face-To-Face Bullying

In contrast with in-person threats, cyber bullying makes use of internet technologies, mobile devices, video games, and social media. Much our children’s lives are conducted across virtual communication systems like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Texts, chats, email, and online games are also rife with opportunities to cyber bully.

Whereas a playground bully must face their victim (and risk witnesses), it’s much easier to engage in cyber bullying behind an anonymous screen. This distance often emboldens bullies to act or say things they would never do in person.

The biggest difference between cyber bullying and face-to-face bullying is that the internet is available 24/7 and “connected” technology is highly pervasive. Consequently, cyber bullying means that hurtful comments, images, or video can:

• .Reach a vast audience in a matter of seconds
• Be repeatedly shared over time
• Never be truly erased from the internet
• Be spread anonymously

Examples of Cyber-bullying

As technology has developed over the last twenty years, cyber-bullying has become an increasingly larger issue. The immense popularity of smart phones, various instant messaging apps, and the rise of social media have opened up an ever-growing number of ways for cyber-bullies to hurt their targets.

Harassment

Much like offline harassment, online harassment involves sending abusive or offensive messages to an individual or group. Harassment takes great effort on the part of the bully to hurt the victim. Further, it is intentional, repeated, and constant. The victim will often have no reprieve from the bully. Especially over a period of time, these messages can have a negative impact on the victim’s self-esteem or confidence.

Cyber-stalking

Cyber-stalking is a form of harassment. These messages are often no longer just offensive or rude, but more threatening in nature. Messages may escalate to threaten the victim’s physical safety. Cyber-stalking can quickly lead to in-person harassment or stalking.

Exclusion

Exclusion comprises of deliberately ostracizing the victim. This may involve leaving them out from social media groups, chat rooms, messages, events, or activities. It may mean purposefully having conversations on social media platforms or apps that the victim does not have access to, or that they see, but are unable to join. The group may then go on to say cruel or rude things about the excluded person behind their back.

Outing

Outing is when the bully publicly shares private messages, pictures, or other information about the victim on the internet. This is done without the victim’s knowledge or consent, and is meant to embarrass, shame, or humiliate them. The information may be trivial or more private and serious, but either way, it is a form of outing.

Masquerading

Masquerading occurs when the bully, or possibly even bullies, assumes another identity to anonymously harass the victim. They may impersonate someone else, use a real person’s account or phone number, or create an entirely fake identity. Often, the bully will know the victim well if they feel the need to hide their identity. The bully may harass or cyber-stalk with victim. This is typically done in an attempt to amuse them or humiliate the victim.

Cyber-bullying Laws

Bullying has become such a pervasive issue in recent years that there are initiatives and laws at multiple levels of government to prevent it

Federal Laws

There are no federal laws that specifically address bullying. Cyber-stalking is a notable exception to this rule. Though there are no federal laws regarding cyber-stalking specifically, it is a criminal action under other anti-stalking and harassment laws.

Bullying may overlap with discrimination, harassment, or hate crimes if it is based on race, national origin, color, sex, age, disability, or religion. If that overlap occurs, federally-funded schools at all levels must address and resolve the harassment.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relation Service offers resources to help communities resolve conflicts, prevent violence, and respond to hate crimes and discrimination. It is a free, confidential service that offers everything from counseling to technical assistance. If harassment persists, victims should consider filing a formal complaint with both the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice.

State Laws

All fifty states have anti-bullying laws in place. Most states, though not all, also have laws meant to prevent cyber-bullying. Some states also have policies in place to help guide schools and their districts respond to bullying.

Familiarize yourself with the laws and policies in your state. You can find more information at the Cyber-bullying Research Center or stopbullying.gov.

There may also be local laws in place at the regional, county, or city level. If nothing else, most school districts or school codes of conduct contain anti-bullying language or rules. Be sure to research the various policies and laws at the local level in your area.