In this post, we will answer the question – is cyberbullying worse than before?
Bullying, in whatever form, is, of course, something that should be condemned. There is no place in our society for those who would willingly, and without conscience, actively set out to hurt someone else’s feelings just because they have the capacity to do so.
Bullying is something that millions upon millions of people experience at some point in their lifetime. Research suggests that, in the UK, nearly half (45%) of all adults say that they were bullied before the age of 18, while around one in five school-aged children say that they have been the victims of bullying in the last 12 months.
These statistics are, of course, horrific, but they only reflect the instances of bullying that have actually been reported. Likely, far more people are actually bullied, but they are simply not capable – or willing – of making their voice heard.
Also, it is certainly worth noting the fact that, with the internet now becoming a universal tool of communication and interaction, it is far easier to bully people anonymously, often without consequence.
And, when people with malicious intentions find a medium that allows them to be cruel without having to be wary of punishment, they are far more likely to choose it as their primary bullying method.
Table of Contents
Cyberbullying
According to research carried out by Vodafone and YouGov, who spoke to young people from 11 different countries around the world, cyberbullying is more detrimental to mental health than bullying in person.
The study discovered that around one in five children have been bullied over the internet, while a fifth of these people have admitted that such bullying has made them feel suicidal. 40% also admitted that they do not believe they would be capable of helping a friend should they say they were being bullied.
According to another study, 37% of those who have been cyberbullied then went on to develop a form of depression.
It’s clear, then, that cyberbullying is a major cybercrime that has a severe impact on its victims. But is it getting worse?
The Current State
According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, a think tank dedicated to understanding and analyzing social issues and how they can be tackled, online harassment is getting worse, not better.
The research declared that over 40% of adults have been caught up in a direct case of bullying, while nearly three in four (73%) admit that they have at some point seen bullying happen to someone else.
Bullying is, of course, not the only threat facing people when they are online. More than half of women (53%) say that at some point they have been sent an explicit image that they were not anticipating and did not want. This is a massive increase when compared to the 35% of women who gave the same answer when the first iteration of the study took place in 2014.
What is being done, and what can be done?
Cyberbullying is, undoubtedly, an issue that needs to be tackled. But, given that it is so easy to be anonymous online, and due to the fact that it is incredibly easy to create fake profiles, avatars or email addresses, stopping online bullying is a problem without an obvious solution.
Major social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook have dedicated funds and time to try to mitigate the issue, but this can only do so much. It is, therefore essential that individuals also play a role.
So what can you do?
- If you experience or witness cyberbullying, in whatever form, you must raise the issue to either the platform upon which it is happening or to an authority.
- Keep all of the relevant information – message logs, for example – to ensure that any claim you make can be supported.
- Refrain from engaging and trying to fight back, because many bullies are simply looking for a reaction, and will thrive in such a scenario.
- Don’t give out private information or data, as this will make it far easier for people with malicious intent to target you directly.
Arguments for Cyberbullying Being Worse
- Increased Reach: Social media and online platforms allow cyberbullying to reach a wider audience than traditional bullying, causing more humiliation and distress for the victim.
- 24/7 Nature: Online harassment can be relentless, as victims can't escape it by going home from school or work.
- Anonymity: Cyberbullies can hide behind anonymity, making them bolder and less likely to face consequences.
Arguments Against Cyberbullying Being Worse
- Traditional Bullying Still Exists: Physical bullying and social exclusion haven't disappeared and can still have devastating effects.
- Increased Awareness: There's more awareness and discussion about cyberbullying today, leading to the potential for better prevention and intervention strategies.
- Evidence is Documented: With online communication, evidence of cyberbullying can be preserved (screenshots, messages), which can be helpful when addressing the issue with authorities or schools.
Conclusion
Cyberbullying presents unique challenges due to its reach and potential for anonymity. However, it's important to acknowledge the ongoing presence of traditional bullying as well.
The “worse” label might be subjective, but the focus should be on effective solutions to address all forms of bullying.
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About the Author:
Daniel Segun is the Founder and CEO of SecureBlitz Cybersecurity Media, with a background in Computer Science and Digital Marketing. When not writing, he's probably busy designing graphics or developing websites.
