Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?

According to Stopbullying (2021) cyberbullying is a type of bullying that happens on phones, computers and tablets. Additionally Stopbullying (2021) states that cyberbullying happens when people send mean or hurtful messages using phones, apps or social media. Cyberbullying means saying bad things about someone on the internet. This can be spreading lies, being mean or posting negative things about someone else online (Stopbullying ,2021). It is sharing or posting content about someone else that can make them feel ashamed or embarrassed (Stopbullying, 2021).

Effects of Cyberbullying on the Victim:

1. Low Self-esteem: Individuals who have been abused online may start feeling embarrassed and have less confidence in themselves (Dudley, 2020).

2. Dropping Grades: For students, being bullied online can show up in their school marks. When someone is being bullied online, they might start to do badly in school (Dudley, 2020).

3. Depression: Cyberbullying can cause stress and other related problems for its victims. Anxiety and depression occurs as the individual feels worried and sad. When people do not feel confident in themselves, it can be bad for their mental health (Dudley, 2020).

4. Chances of Falling ill: Being cyberbullied can make a person feel very sick. This may include suffering from headaches, stomach aches and chest pains, etc. People who have been harassed online might develop eating disorders as a coping mechanism (Dudley, 2020).

5. Thoughts of Suicide: Studies have shown that cyberbullying can make some people feel like they want to harm themselves. It makes you feel like there is no hope. If someone keeps bothering or bullying victims all the time, they might think about death as the only way to stop it (Dudley, 2020).

How to Address Cyberbullying

Unicef (2023) state cyberbullying as a type of bullying that should be dealt with in the same way as any other type of bullying. If a child is being cyberbullied, adults need to help the child being bullied and talk to the child doing the bullying. Adults and teachers need to teach children that cyberbullying is a bad thing which is totally wrong and we all should try put an end to it (Unicef, 2023).

Futhermore, Unicef (2023) state if someone is cyberbullying you, the most important thing is to ensure you are safe. Additionally Unicef (2023) say it is essential to have someone to talk to when you are experiencing something as difficult as cyberbullying, this person could be a teacher, an adult you trust or your parent. Even discuss with your parents and friends about what to do if you or someone you know is being cyberbullied (Unicef,  2023).

How to Prevent Cyberbullying

1. Educate Yourself: To prevent cyberbullying, you need to know exactly what it means. Investigate what is considered cyberbullying and find out when and where it happens the most (De Lench, n.d.).

2. Protect your Password: Protect your passwords and personal information from people who are trying to look at them without your permission. Do not show your password or personal information to others. Do not share this information with anyone, even your best friend. If other people know about it, you should change it as soon as possible (De Lench, n.d.).

3. Log out of Online Accounts: Do not save your passwords on websites or in your internet browser and do not stay logged in when you leave your computer or phone. An example is if you do not log out of Twitter at the library, someone else who uses the computer after you could get into your account and cause big problems for you (De Lench, n.d.).

4. Pause Before you Post: Do not post anything that might make people think less of you. Others will form opinions about you based on your online presence (De Lench, n.d.).

5. "Google Yourself": Its a good idea to search your name on search engines like Google, Bing or Yahoo to see if there's any information about you that someone could use against you. If there is any, fix it before it becomes a problem (De Lench, n.d.).

6. Keep Photos "PG": Think twice before sharing a sexy photo of yourself online. Would you be comfortable with everyone, including your family seeing it? Bad people can use this picture to make your life very difficult (De Lench, n.d.). 

7. Do not Cyberbully Others: Treat others how you would want to be treated. If you are mean to others to people on the internet, you are contributing to the problem (De Lench, n.d.).

Outcome of the lesson:

Knowing about cyberbullying will help improve education in the 21st century. It will make school safer and everyone feel welcome by teaching students about cyberbullying and its bad effects. Teaching students about cyberbullying can also teach them how to be responsible online and good citizens on the internet. These abilities will be very useful for them as they explore the constantly changing digital world of the present century. Also, when one talks about cyberbullying in class, students will learn to care for and understand how others feel. This will make school a more positive place and teach students to work together with respect and cooperation. Understanding and teaching about cyberbullying will help students become more responsible and caring towards others.