Interviews

School Counselors:

Both counselors that we interviewed had a few encounters with cyberbullying. A lot of the encounters were about someone sending something inappropriate to another student. Some people were also saying things that can make people feel offended. They think that cyber bullying can be anonymous, it can feel rewarding, and no direct impact is considered to be the cause of cyberbullying.

Both counselors know that cyberbullying is bad, but the person who is cyberbullying others may think that it is okay. Nobody should cyberbully. People post negative things which makes the person getting cyberbullied feel insecure or feel ashamed about themselves.

Ms. Eunke Karin Nadine Matitaputty and Ms. Annissa Samantha are the school counselors who mainly organize the cyberbullying issue to incorporate a sense of reassurance toward the victims. The counselor takes specific measures by acknowledging the victim’s emotions and building a positive learning environment which contributes to rebuilding the victim’s self-esteem and confidence.

Ms. Eunike Karin Nadine Matitaputty & Ms. Annissa Samantha think that any form of cyberbullying or bullying is not okay. They said that cyberbullying could affect a person's mental health in a bad way and a student might not be able to come to school because she/he had negative thoughts about themselves like losing self-worth

The counselors think that cyberbullying leads to negative impacts on an individual’s mental health that could eventually make them think that they just want to end their sufferings so they end their own life and they say that it is the worst thing that could happen. 

Ms. Karin & Ms. Annissa have never been cyberbullied, but they can choose to confront the bully, ignore it, or report it.

Psychologist, Ms. Vartika:

She gave a brief explanation of what cyberbullying is. She said that "Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, intimidate, or harm someone repeatedly. It can take many forms, such as spreading rumors, making threats, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, or excluding someone from online groups or conversations

She also gave a short description of the types of cyberbullying. The types were harassment, trolling, cyberstalking, flaming, outing, impersonation (description in Research LOI 1) 

She also stated that "According to a survey conducted by the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association in 2021, around 25% of Indonesian internet users have experienced cyberbullying. This is a major increase from the 2019 survey results, which found that 15% of Indonesian internet users had experienced cyberbullying. The most common form of cyberbullying in Indonesia is through social media platforms, with around 85% of cyberbullying cases occurring on social media. The survey also found that young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are the most vulnerable group to cyberbullying in Indonesia"

We asked her what cyberbullying meant to her, she answered "According to me, Cyber Bullying is the use of technology, such as social media or texting, to intentionally harm, threaten, or harass someone. This can take many forms, including spreading rumors, posting hurtful comments or images, or impersonating someone else online. Cyberbullying can be especially harmful because it can happen at any time, and the victim may not be able to escape it even when they are outside of school or work. In general terms, cyberbullying is a form of bullying that happens online or through technology and can cause emotional, psychological, and even physical harm to the victim."

She also showed us some examples of cyberbullying in India and Indonesia. India: "In India one case was there In 2019, a 17-year-old boy from Mumbai we ll call him A, who was cyberbullied and harassed by his classmates. A had a speech impairment, which made it difficult for him to speak fluently, and his classmates would often mock him for it. However, the situation escalated when his classmates created a fake profile in his name and posted degrading comments about his family and friends. They also posted A's personal phone number and encouraged others to harass him. The cyberbullying became so severe that A was trying to harm himself but was fortunately saved in time by his family. The incident led to public outrage and renewed calls for stricter laws against cyberbullying in India."

Indonesia: "In Indonesia also one case happened In 2021, a teenage girl we'll call her S was cyberbullied and ultimately took her own life. S had posted a video of herself singing on social media, which was then edited by someone else to make it appear as though she was singing a provocative song. The edited video was shared widely on social media, and S became the target of intense cyberbullying and harassment. She was called degrading names and received threatening messages, which eventually led to her suicide. The incident sparked outrage in Indonesia and renewed calls for greater awareness of cyberbullying and its harmful effects."

She also shared her own experience with cyberbullying: "I experienced cyberbullying during their 11th grade year at a new school, receiving threatening messages on their Instagram account from someone I sought for social support from trusted individuals, such as parents and friends, which can be an important step in coping with the emotional toll of cyberbullying. The cyberbullying caused me to feel scared and panicked, unsure of how to deal with the situation or who to turn to for help. Finally, I confronted the bully directly, and making it clear that their behavior is not acceptable can be an empowering action to take, and contacting the cyber Crime authority can also be helpful in addressing cyberbullying."

"It was a really tough time for me. It took a toll on my mental health and I struggled with a lot of symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, and feeling constantly on edge. My heart would race and I became very self-conscious. However, I knew I had to take action to stop cyberbullying. Finally, when this all stopped I took care of my mental health and well-being by seeking out coping strategies and resources. This may have included things like practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques, engaging in physical activity or hobbies that you enjoy, or seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. By prioritizing my own mental health, I was able to regain a sense of control and resilience to face of a challenging situation. And of course with my parents' support, I came out of it."

She also explained why cyberbullying is a bad problem, she said: "

Prevalence: According to various studies, a significant number of children and teenagers experience cyberbullying. This means that cyberbullying is not an isolated or rare occurrence, but rather a common problem that affects many people. 

Impact on Mental Health: Cyberbullying can have serious negative effects on mental health. Victims of cyberbullying may experience anxiety, and depression, and even contemplate self-harm or suicide. 

Difficulty in Escaping: Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can follow a person 24/7, making it hard for them to escape from it. Even when someone is not using social

media, they can still receive notifications of hurtful comments or messages, which can be triggering. 

Anonymity: Cyberbullying can be done anonymously, which means the cyberbully may not be held accountable for their actions. This anonymity can also make victims feel more vulnerable and isolated, as they don't know who the attacker is.

Lack of Regulation: While there are laws and regulations against cyberbullying, it can

be difficult to enforce them. Social media platforms may not have sufficient measures

in place to prevent cyberbullying, and there may be limited ways to hold someone

accountable for their actions." 

We also asked her the causes of cyberbullying, her answer was :

" There are many potential causes of cyberbullying, and it can be difficult to pinpoint a single

root cause. However, some common factors that may contribute to cyberbullying include:

LACK OF CONSEQUENCES

In some cases, cyberbullying may not result in any significant consequences for the

perpetrator, which can make them more likely to continue engaging in this behavior. For

example, if someone posts hurtful comments on social media and doesn't get caught, they

may feel encouraged to continue engaging in this behavior.

EXPOSURE TO INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT

Exposure to inappropriate content or negative online behaviors at a young age can have a

variety of negative effects on young people, including desensitization to violence or

aggression, increased anxiety or depression, and a greater likelihood of engaging in

negative online behaviors themselves.

ANONYMITY

The internet can provide a sense of anonymity, which can make people feel less

accountable for their actions and more likely to engage in negative behaviors like

cyberbullying. For example, a person might create a fake social media account to post hurtful

comments about someone else without fear of being identified.

LEARNED BEHAVIOR

Some people may learn to engage in cyberbullying from peers, family members, or media

influences.For example, if a child grows up in a home where bullying behavior is normalized,

they may be more likely to engage in this behavior themselves. Similarly, if a person sees

others engaging in cyberbullying online, they may be more likely to do the same.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

People who engage in cyberbullying may themselves be struggling with mental health

issues such as depression, anxiety, or anger management problems. For example, a

person who is feeling depressed or anxious may lash out at others online as a way to cope

with their own negative emotions.

SOCIAL DYNAMICS

Cyberbullying can be a way for people to assert power and dominance over others,

particularly in social situations where status and popularity are important.For example, a

group of popular kids might target a less popular classmate with hurtful comments online in

an effort to maintain their social status.

She gave a few impacts of cyberbullying which are: "

LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Cyberbullying can damage a person's self-esteem and make them

feel worthless and unimportant.

Example: A teenager receives cruel comments on her social media profile, causing her to

feel self-conscious about her appearance and withdraw from social situations.

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Cyberbullying can trigger depression and anxiety, which can lead to

a range of physical and emotional symptoms.

Example: It can have long-term effects on a person's mental health.

A young man is

repeatedly cyberbullied on social media, with hurtful comments and messages being sent

to him every day. Despite trying to ignore the messages and block the sender, the

bullying continues, causing the young man to develop anxiety and depression. Even after

the bullying stops, he continues to struggle with his mental health and may require

therapy or counseling to recover.

SOCIAL ISOLATION

Cyberbullying can make a person feel isolated and alone, leading to

a lack of social support and connection.

Example: A young boy is constantly bullied online by his classmates, causing him to feel

isolated and alone. He stops participating in social activities and becomes increasingly

withdrawn.

SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE

In extreme cases, cyberbullying can lead to self-harm or suicide.

Victims may feel as though they have no other way out of the

situation, leading to tragic outcomes.

In 2016, a 15-year-old girl from Mumbai, India, committed suicide after being

cyberbullied for several months. The girl was being harassed and threatened on social

media by a group of classmates, which led to her taking her own life.

RELATIONSHIP ISSUES

Cyberbullying can cause problems in a person's relationships, both

online and offline. Victims may become distant from friends and

family or have trouble forming new relationships due to trust issues

Example: A victim may feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their experience with

others, causing them to withdraw from social situations and miss out on opportunities to

form new friendships.

cyberbullying can cause rifts in existing relationships, as the victim

may struggle to communicate with friends and family members who don't understand

what they're going through.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS

Cyberbullying can also have physical effects on a person.

Example: A teenage girl is cyberbullied by a group of boys who share a doctored image

of her on social media. The girl begins to experience physical symptoms such as

headaches and stomachaches, and she becomes afraid to leave her house. The

cyberbullying causes her to feel unsafe in her own community and affects her overall

well-being."

She even found a few simple solutions in order to reduce the cases of cyberbullying in our community which are:"

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Learn about cyberbullying, its impacts, and ways to prevent it. This can help you recognize

when cyberbullying is happening and take steps to address it.

ENCOURAGE EMPATHY AND KINDNESS

Teach children and young people to treat others with kindness and respect, both online and

offline. Encourage them to put themselves in the shoes of others and think about how their

actions might affect others.

CREATE A SAFE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT

Parents, educators, and policymakers can work together to create safe online spaces where

cyberbullying is not tolerated. This can include setting clear rules and guidelines, monitoring

online behavior, and providing support for victims.15

WORK WITH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES

Technology companies can play a big role in preventing cyberbullying by implementing

measures such as blocking and reporting tools, providing education and resources to users,

and taking swift action against cyberbullying behavior on their platforms.

SPEAK OUT

If you see cyberbullying happening, speak out against it. This can be as simple as

commenting on a hurtful post to show support for the victim or reporting the behavior to the

appropriate authorities.

She came to a conclusion saying: 

"In conclusion, cyberbullying is a serious problem that can have long-lasting negative

effects on individuals. It can impact mental health, relationships, academic or work

performance, and even lead to self-harm or suicide in extreme cases. It's important to

be aware of cyberbullying and take steps to prevent it, such as promoting kindness and

respect online, reporting bullying behavior, and seeking support from mental health

professionals if needed."