Bullying has been a problem for decades, but the internet and social media have introduced a new type of bullying: cyberbullying.
We defined cyberbullying as the use of technology to harass, embarrass, or intimidate someone. While both cyberbullying and traditional person-to-person bullying can be harmful, cyberbullying may be even more dangerous because of its ability to reach a wider audience and the difficulty of escaping it. In this blog, we will explore why cyberbullying may be more dangerous than person-to-person bullying, and provide statistics to reinforce this answer.
The first reason cyberbullying is more dangerous than person-to-person bullying is the reach of the internet. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can take place 24/7 and reach a wider audience. Social media and messaging apps allow bullies to share hurtful messages and images with an unlimited number of people, making it difficult for victims to escape humiliation and embarrassment. This constant bombardment of abuse can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
According to a study by the Cyberbullying Research Center, 34.9% of students have experienced cyberbullying in their lives, and 17.1% reported being cyberbullied in the past 30 days. In comparison, only 19.6% of students reported experiencing traditional bullying in the past year. These statistics highlight the prevalence of cyberbullying and the need for action to combat it.
The second reason cyberbullying is more dangerous than person-to-person bullying is the difficulty of escaping it. While traditional bullying may stop once a victim leaves school or a particular environment, cyberbullying can follow victims wherever they go. It's difficult to block or delete hurtful messages, and victims may feel like they are constantly under attack. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, which can have long-lasting effects on mental health.
This can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, which can have long-lasting effects on mental health.
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, victims of cyberbullying were more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than victims of traditional bullying. The study also found that cyberbullying victims were more likely to engage in self-harm behaviors, such as cutting or burning than traditional bullying victims were. These findings show the serious impact that cyberbullying can have on mental health.
The prevalence of cyberbullying and its impact on mental health highlights the need for action to combat it. What makes cyberbullying so effective is due to children not being as fully secure in themselves and developed mentally as they should be. When you don’t know who you are or have a consistent community or mentor presence around you affirming your worth and identity you fall victim to things on social media that will try and define who you are in that confused and broken space. Most people just strive to be accepted at any cost! The thought of rejection before the masses is like living a Nightmare that you never wake up from. There must be more platforms created that reverse the peer pressure of the behavior allowing hurt people to hurt people. It is imperative that parents get more involved in what their children are experiencing and taking in when it comes to social media on a daily basis.
Truthfully our children have way too much freedom with these devices that literally become unhealthy vices to their minds, spirit, and heart! It is important for parents, educators, and lawmakers to prevent cyberbullying and support victims. This may include teaching children about online safety, creating stricter laws and penalties for cyberbullying, and providing resources for mental health support. By working together, we can help create a safer online environment for everyone. This is the reason VoyceUp was created to give people a Voice to build up and not tear down! To be a mentor to the mentees, Father figured to the Fatherless, a Supporting voice to the Single Moms, and a Light to those lost in these vicious spaces formed by social media platforms.