Cyberbullying or Internet bullying. Now offenders can be found not only on the sports ground, but also on the Internet

What is cyberbullying or Internet bullying?

This phenomenon occurs when a child or teenager is harassed or bullied using the Internet or a mobile phone. In this case, both parties to the conflict are minors. If the aggressor is an adult, then this is considered cyberstalking and entails more serious consequences.

Types of Internet Bullying

There are several types of cyberbullying that school staff and parents should be aware of. They are distinguished by the type of offender, his motives and the technologies that he uses to bully. Once school administrators, parents, or law enforcement officials have been able to identify the type of cyberbullying, it is easier for them to take appropriate action to resolve such situations and prevent them in the future.

Insult

Sharp, spiteful comments that the victim receives via SMS, through social networks and chat rooms.

Oppression

Humiliating, hurtful and intimidating messages that can be addressed to a child personally or to a group of children. For such harassment, SMS messages or online communication are used.

Anonymous stalking

Any form of aggressive action or threat by an anonymous abuser. He may use a fictitious name (pseudonym), a blocked phone number, or a borrowed phone designed specifically to intimidate the victim. All this further complicates the search and identification of the identity of the persecutor.

Using a fake name

In this case, the cyberbully is ready to go to any lengths to pretend to be another person. To do this, he can create a Facebook account under a false name and use it for his attacks.

Disclosure of personal information

To do this, the abuser distributes personal data or correspondence that the victim considers confidential.

Cyberbullying Statistics

In recent years, the level of Internet bullying has increased significantly among teenagers of middle and high school age. Online security studies have shown the following figures:

• 42% of children have been harassed online. Every fourth person found himself in such a situation more than once.
• 58% of children admitted that they received angry and hurtful comments when they were online. Four out of ten respondents have experienced this more than once.
• 35% of children received online threats. Nearly one in five teenagers have experienced it multiple times.
• 53% of children admitted to insulting others online. Every third person did it several times.
• 21% of children received threatening letters or messages with insults.
• 58% of children did not tell their parents or other adults that they were the victim of Internet bullying.

However, in 2017, the Cyberbullying Research Center provided statistics on the behavior of middle school children.

• 30% of high school students have experienced one type of online bullying more than twice in the past 30 days.
• 22% of children admitted to using at least one type of cyberbullying more than twice in the last 30 days.

How can parents protect their children?

The Parents and Teachers Association recommends the following methods to protect against cyberbullying:

• Never share information about your children’s online activities with other parents or children, especially your online game nickname or username and password. All this can be used against them.
• Use cyber filtering and blocking software as one of the best ways to protect yourself online. However, it is worth remembering that this approach cannot guarantee 100% security from online harassment.
• Teach your children not to react to aggression. Starting a correspondence with the offender, the child will only aggravate the situation.
• Become an example for your children by using modern technology for good. Don’t make fun of or annoy others when you’re online. This is especially true when your children are near you.
• Be a role model for them.
• Download or save all offensive messages to report to the school administration and, if necessary, law enforcement officials.
• Build open and trusting relationships with your children so that they can turn to you for help in the event of online bullying.
• Contact your ISP to report online conduct violations. This will help take action against the offender.
• Encourage your children to report bullying and discuss it with you or the school counselor. That the weak are unable to defend themselves is a myth.