Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying refers to bullying that occurs online, such as on computers, tablets and cellphones. Cyberbullying can happen online through social media, gaming where people can read, interact with or exchange content. it can also happen through SMS, and communication applications. Cyberbullying can only be considered as sending, posting or disseminating unfavorable, hurtful or malicious content about someone. It can also involve disclosing sensitive or private information about another individual in away that causes embarrassment or humiliation. Lastly, Cyberbullying occasionally veers into illegal or criminal action.(Cyberbullying, n.d.)

Effects of Cyberbullying

There are three types of effects which are: Emotional effects, Mental effects and physical effects:

1. Emotional Effects

• Cyberbullying is a huge stressor in a young person's life, which is not surprising. According to study, 32% of children who are the targets of cyberbullying say they have experienced at least one stress symptom. In addition to being upset, people could also feel injured, humiliated, and even fear for their safety. They might even attribute the cyberbullying to themselves.

2. Mental effects:

• Victims of persistent cyberbullying could view the world in a different way than other people. For many people, life can seem pointless and without purpose. They might stop taking an interest in activities they once found enjoyable and spend less time connecting with friends and family. Additionally, despair and suicidal thoughts may appear on occasion.

3. Physical effects:

• Children who are bullied online can exhibit the same behavioral alterations as children who are bullied in more conventional ways. They might lose interest in hobbies or behave secretively, for instance. When cyberbullying is severe or persistent, kids can even show more noticeable behavioral changes such as taking drugs or alcohol, skipping school, carrying harmful instruments.

.Ways to protect yourself against cyberbullying

1.  Maximize privacy settings:

• Find out what steps you can take to protect the privacy of the content on the websites you visit. You may change your privacy settings on Facebook and other social networking sites to limit who can access your posts and personal information. Because websites occasionally modify their privacy rules, it's crucial to constantly check these settings

2. Think before you post:

•  Remember that the internet is a public forum. Nothing you post online can ever be taken back. Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say in a room full of strangers. Even sending someone private or unpleasant information via email can have unanticipated results.

3. Keep personal information personal:

•  Avoid sharing personal information online, such as your address, phone number, school, credit card number, etc. Sharing passwords with friends is like giving copies of your house key to both friends and strangers; passwords are there for a reason. your parents alone, should be the only people who know your passwords.