What is Cyberbullying – Proactive Measures for Online Safety

Written By The IoT Academy
Published on May 17th, 2024
Updated on May 20, 2024

Welcome to our blog! Today, we are talking about cyberbullying, which is a big problem online. People of all ages, especially teens, can be affected by it. Because the internet lets bullies hide, they can hurt others easily. We will discuss what cyberbullying is, how it affects people, and what we can do to stop it. By learning about cyberbullying and how to deal with it, we can make the internet a safer and nicer place for everyone. Let’s dive in and learn how to stay safe and kind online!

Table of Contents

Definition of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying happens when people use social media, messages, or online forums to hurt or scare others. They might spread rumors, share personal stuff without asking, or say mean things to make someone feel bad. It is often hard to know who is doing it because they can hide their identity online. Cyberbullying can hurt someone’s feelings and make them feel sad, worried, or alone.

Cyberbullying Example

Imagine a girl named Lily who loves sharing her artwork online. One day, she posts a drawing on a social media platform, hoping to get positive feedback. Instead, she receives hurtful comments from anonymous users, criticizing her art and calling her names. Despite trying to ignore the comments, they keep coming, making Lily feel worthless and ashamed of her passion. The cyberbullying continues, with the bullies even creating fake accounts to spread rumors about Lily. Eventually, Lily feels so overwhelmed and sad that she stops sharing her artwork altogether, depriving herself of something she loves because of the relentless online harassment.

Some Cyberbullying Types

Cyberbullying can take various forms, each with its characteristics and impacts. Here are some common types of cyberbullying:

Harassment: Sending repeated, hurtful messages, threats, or insults to someone online, often via social media, email, or messaging apps.
Cyberstalking: Persistently following and monitoring someone online, often with the intent to intimidate, frighten, or harass them.
Flaming: Engaging in hostile and inflammatory discussions or arguments online, often in public forums or comment sections, to provoke an emotional response.
Exclusion: Intentionally excluding someone from online groups, conversations, or activities, or spreading rumors and gossip about them to isolate them from their peers.
Impersonation: Creating fake profiles or accounts to impersonate someone else online, often with the intent to damage their reputation, embarrass them, or deceive others.

There are more types like Doxing, Outing, Catfishing, Cyberbullying by Proxy, and Trolling. If you want to know about these different ways you can also consider enrolling in a Cybersecurity Course. Such a course will not only help you understand the various tactics used by cyberbullies but also equip you with the skills to protect yourself and your loved ones online.

You’ll learn how to secure your personal information, recognize and respond to threats, and promote safer online environments. Plus, with cybersecurity skills in high demand, it can also open up new career opportunities. So, taking a cybersecurity course can be a smart move both for personal safety and professional growth.

Effects of Cyberbullying

Do you want to know how badly cyberbullying affects our mental health?… Cyberbullying can hurt someone’s feelings and make them feel sad for a long time. Some common effects include:

Feeling Sad and Alone: Cyberbullying makes people feel really bad like they’re always scared, sad, or lonely. It can make them doubt themselves and feel worthless.
Keeping Away from Others: Cyberbullying makes people want to stay away from others, both online and offline, because they’re afraid or embarrassed. It’s hard for them to trust anyone because of all the bad stuff happening to them.
Trouble with School: When cyberbullying happens, it makes it hard for students to focus on school. They might get bad grades, skip classes, or even avoid going to school altogether because they feel so stressed and anxious.
Feeling Sick: Cyberbullying can make people feel physically sick like they get headaches, stomachaches, or can’t sleep well. All the stress from being bullied online can even make them more likely to get sick.
Thinking about Hurting Themselves: Sometimes, cyberbullying can make people feel so hopeless and trapped that they start thinking about hurting themselves or even ending their lives. It is really serious and scary.

Warning Signs of Cyberbullying

It’s crucial to recognize the warning signs of cyberbullying to address the issue promptly. Here are some subtle, not-so-obvious signs that your child might be a target of cyberbullying:

Changes in mood or behavior, such as irritability, withdrawal, or sudden outbursts of anger.
Avoidance of using electronic devices or social media platforms.
Decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, or trouble sleeping due to stress and anxiety.

How to Respond to Cyberbullying

Responding to cyberbullying requires a thoughtful and strategic approach to address the issue effectively while prioritizing the well-being of the victim. Here are some steps individuals can take when dealing with cyberbullying:

Stay Calm: Try not to get too upset or angry. Keeping your cool can help avoid making things worse.
Keep Records: Save screenshots or notes of what’s happening. This info could be important if you need to get help later.
Block and Report: On most sites, you can stop the bully from contacting you and report them to the people in charge.
Talk to Someone: It’s okay to talk to someone you trust, like a friend or family member. They can help you feel better.
Don’t Respond to the Bully: It’s best not to talk back to the person being mean. Ignoring them can help calm things down.
Take Care of Yourself: Make sure you’re doing things that make you feel good, like hanging out with friends or doing hobbies you enjoy.
Think About Legal Help: If things get really bad, you might need to talk to a lawyer who knows about these kinds of problems.
Tell the Police if Necessary: If someone is making threats or being mean, the police might need to know. They can help keep you safe.
Be Kind Online: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Being nice can help make the internet a better place for everyone.
Get Professional Help if You Need It: If cyberbullying is making you feel really bad, it’s okay to talk to a counselor or therapist. They can give you advice and support.

Also Read: What is Cybersecurity Asset Management & Why It Matters?

Conclusion

In conclusion, cyberbullying is a serious problem that can hurt people’s feelings and make them feel bad. We need to talk more about it and do things to stop it from happening. Understanding what cyberbullying is, and how it affects people. And the signs to look out for can help us protect ourselves and support others who might be going through it. When we see cyberbullying, it is important to stay calm, be strong, and ask for help if we need it. By being kind and looking out for each other online. We can make the internet a better and safer place for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the three mental effects of cyberbullying?

Ans. Cyberbullying makes people feel really scared and worried all the time. Which is called anxiety. It can also make them feel very sad and hopeless. Which is called depression. Also, being bullied online can make people feel like they are not good enough, which is called low self-esteem.

Q. What is the act of cyberbullying?

Ans. Cyberbullying is when people use the internet, social media, or messaging to be mean or scary to others. They might send hurtful messages, spread rumors, or post mean comments or pictures without asking. And it is often done without saying who they are. So it is tricky to know who’s doing it.

About The Author:

The IoT Academy

The IoT Academy as a reputed ed-tech training institute is imparting online / Offline training in emerging technologies such as Data Science, Machine Learning, IoT, Deep Learning, and more. We believe in making revolutionary attempt in changing the course of making online education accessible and dynamic.