Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying
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Introduction
The development of both technology and the internet has impacted every part of modern society. Ideally, life has been made more convenient by technology development since people across the globe are connected, and it has also become easy for people to share information. It is essential to note that not only does technology keep families and friends connected, it also presents opportunities to meet new people. Additionally, the development of the internet and technology has also promoted the usage of social media, which has become a significant way that people can connect and communicate with other people through different techniques such as sending text, voice and video messages. However, technology and the internet has also negatively influenced our lives, it has become relatively easy for people to spread fake news with intentions of gaining attention or hurting other people. Since there is are effective regulations against the use of intent, the cases of cyberbullying have become more common in the current society. This literature asserts that cyberbullying is prevalent among young people and that school and parents play a crucial role in preventing cyberbullying by teaching children about social skills and controlling their internet activities.
Cyberbullying
Publishing false and damaging information at a time when it is conveyed first may have undesirable effects on the individuals who would be targeted by such information. Ideally, since people have freedom of speech, it has become relatively easy for many people to publish and share negative news and comments about other people. With the increase of digitalization, most people have become more bullied and victimized, and this is likely to cause serious mental health such as depression among the victims subjected to cyberbullying. Ordinarily, almost everyone has come across or heard about someone who has been subjected to cyber-harassment. It is crucial to comprehend that preventing cyberbullying is not an easy task since the attacks can occur from different people at the same time, which would also have more negative impacts on the victim. However, with proper mechanisms in place, it is relatively easy to ensure that useful monitoring mechanisms are set in place to help and protect the vulnerable groups from facing online attacks and intimidation.[Xiao-Wei Chu, Cui-Ying Fan, Qing-Qi Liu, Zong-Kui Zhou. 2018. "Cyberbullying victimization and symptoms of depression and anxiety among Chinese adolescents: Examining hopelessness as a mediator and selfcompassion as a moderator." Computers in Human Behavior 86: 377-386]
This research is motivated by the need for evaluating and determining the groups of people who are more vulnerable to cyberbullying, how they are affected, and what can be done to help individuals who have been bullied. Although everyone person can encounter online threats and abuse, it is crucial to note that the most vulnerable group of people include active internet users, particularly on the various social media platforms. This research will be mainly focused on individuals who are aged between 14 and 30 years old; people within this age bracket are more conversant with new inventions and technologies, and they are also heavy users of the internet. The research will help people within this age group to comprehend the potential impacts that cyber harassment can have upon them and will also help in determining the most appropriate measures that can be taken to assist and protect individuals who have been cyberbullied.
Cyberbullying has more damaging power than people perceive it; this form of harassment has been regarded as one of the most severe problems that are faced by the young people. Children, adolescents, as well as young adults, are potential targets from online abuse and harassment. Besides, it has also been found that cyberbullying is a significant contributor to suicide-related deaths among adolescents. In most cases, individuals who are subjected to online harassment tend to feel overwhelmed, and this increases the levels of stress, which in some instances may be unbearable to the weak people. Besides, the victims of online harassment are also likely to feel vulnerable and powerless; this is because digitalization can make it possible for people to be invaded even through mobile phones, which makes it possible to people to shield themselves fully from external and unwanted threats.[Vaillancourt, T., Faris, R. Mishna, F. 2017. "Cyberbullying in Children and Youth: Implications for Health and Clinical Practice." The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 62 (6): 368-373.]
The Different perspectives on Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying or online cruelty as it is sometimes usually referred to, has generated massive opinions especially from the various quarters affected by it either directly or indirectly. It doesn’t come as a surprise therefore, that there is indeed a distinct aspect of not only the act itself, but also the manner it is propagated to the victims. To a great extent, the perspectives on cyberbullying span from its psychological impacts on the victims to the legal implications that it draws upon the perpetrators. This therefore, constitutes a wide and intricate maze that is also delicate and at the same time complex in handling.
On the psychological aspects, two perspectives can be looked at; the victim’s and the bully’s points of view. There is a definitely more innate drive that pushes an individual to be a bully, be it a product of their environment or upbringing. It simply comes about as a final or end product, but there is a combination of factors that culminate in the same. It can either point to a deeper failure in proper upbringing of the individual or the failure by the society to have a more all-round approach in taking care and molding of the individual.
Research Question
What are the effects of cyberbullying among young people, and how can they be helped and protected?
Finding answers to this question will help in understanding the possible implications and effects of online harassment and abuse. Additionally, it will also be possible to determine the most effective and appropriate strategies that may be adopted to ensure that bullied individuals obtain the required assistance to facilitate their recovery. Most importantly, the insights derived from this research will make it possible to determine the strategies and mechanisms that can be set in place to ensure that cases of cyberbullying are prevented. This would aid in making sure that vulnerable people are safeguarded from such undesirable issues in the future.
Resources
The article “Estimating the Magnitude of the Relation Between Bullying, E-Bullying, and Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Youth, 2015” has helped in underlying the relationship between bullying and the increase of suicide cases in the United States. It is estimated that suicide has remained a significant cause of deaths among individuals between 12 and 19 years old. Additionally, this article stresses that in 2015 over 8 percent of the adolescents in the United States attempted suicide. The authors have also examined that the cases of suicide among young people have steadily increased since 2010. Special groups such as members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Questioning (GLBG) are at a high risk of getting bullied and that GLBG youth are at a high risk of committing suicide. Researchers, however, find it challenging to conduct experimental studies about suicide because of the ethical concerns associated with the issue. This article helps in determining the group of people who are more likely to face online harassment and has also helped in understanding the impact of bullying among the youth.[Kevin Kuehn, Jennifer Velloza and Annelise Wagner. 2019. "Estimating the Magnitude of the Relation Between Bullying, E-Bullying, and Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Youth, 2015." Crisis The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention 40 (3): 157-165.]
The journal article “Examining adults’ participant roles in cyberbullying” has examined the various ways through which online bullying may be operationalized. Ideally, it is essential to comprehend that bullying can be verbal and nonverbal. The authors have explained that victims of online harassment may receive nasty or unpleasant messages that can be damaging in nature. This resource has provided factors that are crucial in cyberbullying involvement; these may include age, sex, socio-economic status, motive, and technology use, among others. It is vital to understand that this article has presented contrasting issues about the widespread bullying among males and females. It has been suggested that adult females are more likely to involve themselves with cyberbullying-related behaviors and that they are also at risk of getting bullied. On the other side, it has been suggested that adult males are more likely to participate in online bullying. This resource provides insights about the involvement of males and females in online harassment and some of the key factors that push people to cyberbu...