Research

Questions:

• What are the different types of social media platforms? 

• Why do people cyberbully others? 

• How to handle cyberbullying? 

• What are the impacts of cyberbullying? 

What are the different types of social media platforms?

    The three types of media are mostly known as news media, social media and web media. Some other forms of modern forms are print media, television, movies, and video games. Using various types of social media may lead you to connect with the wrong people or in other words internet trolls. Social media users can possibly be bullied through different types of internet platforms such as:

• Social Networking Sites - Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, and etc 

• Image-based sites

• Video sharing/streaming platforms - Youtube, Twitch

• Discussion forums

• Blogs and community platforms

• Key Takeaways

• Community blogs

Why do people cyberbully others?

    People may cyber bully because of many different reasons. Through both primary and secondary research conducted, there are many reasons why cyberbullying occurs. Some people cyberbully because they feel that hurting and intimidating others make them superior. The more they bully people, the more they experience a pleasing feeling of satisfaction knowing that others will look inferior in front of them. Another reason why people bully others is that they have their own insecurities and issues they have to deal with. Family (life) background is another cause of cyberbullying. There is a possibility that the bully might be the victim of bullying or verbal abuse in their personal or family life that affected their mental health. They experience the pain of being bullied, yet they would like to have the experience of bullying others as well.

 In addition, people would anonymously do cyberbullying to keep them safe so that they wouldn't get caught or be reported and permitted from facing their victims.

 Cyberbullying is characterized by the following elements:

•  Anonymity—Cyberbullying allows bullies to avoid facing their victims, so it requires less courage and provides the perspective that bullies won’t get caught. 

• Ignorance of the consequences—The National Council on Crime Prevention reports that in a survey of teenagers, 81% said they believe others cyberbully because they think it’s funny. Because they don’t see their victims’ reactions in person, cyber bullies may not realize how much damage they are doing. 

• Social pressure—Some cyberbullies may think their behavior is normal and socially acceptable, especially when friends egg them on.

How to handle cyberbullying? 

Do the 5-step strategy

There are many different ways to handle cyberbullying professionally:

Strategy 1: Do not respond

Cyberbullies bully to annoy others. So if you do not respond, they will feel like they failed and will stop.

Strategy 2: React when calmer when you are calmer, you will think clearly and respond wisely.

Strategy 3: Take screenshots as evidence 

If you have evidence, you can report the person and they will get banned.

Strategy 4:  Limit the use of social media 

Strategy 5:  Report and block

What are the impacts of cyberbullying?

 Cyberbullying is a very serious issue affecting not just the young victims, but also the victims' families, the bully, and those who witness instances of cyberbullying. However, the effect of cyberbullying can be most detrimental to the victim, of course, as they might experience a number of emotional issues that affect their social and academic performance as well as their overall mental health.

• • • The anonymity that the Internet affords has specific consequences. In most cases, cyberbullies know their targets, but their victims don’t always know the identity of their cyberbullies. This can lead to suspicion and alienation among people.

• • • Young people posting messages on the internet do not feel as responsible for their actions as they might otherwise. They are not immediately confronted with the consequences of their actions and they don’t fear being punished for them. The nature of the medium means digital content can be shared and seen by a very wide audience almost instantly and is almost impossible to delete permanently. Young people may not be aware that the nature of cyberbullying provides for a permanent record of the bullying offense which could impact them in the future.

    • Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to harass, threaten, or humiliate someone. This can include sending mean texts or emails, posting hurtful messages on social media sites, or spreading rumors online. Cyberbullying can be very harmful and can lead to depression, anxiety, and in some cases, even suicide.