Research paper on Cyberbullying. Social Sciences paper.

Cyberbullying
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Cyberbullying
Bullying is considered an intentional portrayal of aggressive behavior towards another individual, either as a show of power or strength. Traditionally, bullying involved intimidation through social exclusion, physical actions such as punching, as well as verbal bullying, such as the use of abusive language. However, recent advancements in technology have presented a new type of bullying. Cyberbullying, also known as online social cruelty, is termed as the intentional and aggressive action by a person or a group on other defenseless individuals using electronic forms of contact repeatedly over a period of time (Smith et al., 2008). The potential of bullying has become more significant, owing to the excessive use of mobile phones and networked computers among the young generation. Research by the Mobile Life Report indicated that in the UK, more than 91 percent of 12-year-olds and 51 percent of 10-year-olds have mobile phones (Smith et al., 2008). This indicates that children in these categories are more likely to fall victim to cyberbullying. Furthermore, schools are viewed to offer convenient settings for the activity. In the U.S, the issue of cyberbullying has become rampant in high and middle schools (Beran & Li, 2005). Also, students in colleges have reported getting threats, having their private information shared online, or being excluded online. This indicates a rising problem that is bound to have an influence on more children and young adults if no action is taken to prevent the vice. As such, this paper seeks to paint a much clearer picture of cyberbullying and propose solutions to deal with the problem.
Status of Cyberbullying
Majority of individuals who are affected by cyberbullying are children and the youth. Studies indicate that 15 percent of students aged between 12 and 18 reported being bullied via either text or online (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010). Similarly, a study carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted over 12 months indicated that 14.9 percent of the students engaged were electronically bullied over the course of the survey (CDC, 2017). Based on various studies, the frequency of cyberbullying has changed over the past years. In 2007, cyberbullying victimization was reported to be 18.8 percent, and in 2009, the rate increased to 28.7 percent (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010). Research indicates that there are variations in the types of cyberbullying methods used by individuals. The highest number of cyberbullying offenses is carried out through the spread of rumors online, threatening text messages, and hurtful comments online, which account for 13.3 percent, 8.4 percent, and 14.3 percent, respectively (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010). These channels coincide with devices that are commonly used by children and young adults. Young people use mobile phones very often in their daily lives to communicate and browse. The internet is also commonly used among the youth for either schoolwork or social media. Such environments allow cyberbullies to target innocent individuals and manage to stay anonymous. In most cases, victims of cyberbullying have no knowledge or means of tracing the messages to the sender. Moreover, since online sites have billions of users from different locations across the globe, authorities have had difficulties in placing jurisdictional laws to control cyberbullying. This points to the internet and mobile phones as the two main mediums for cyberbullying among the young generation.
On campus, undergraduate students have also reported falling victim to cyberbullying. Tyler Clementi, an undergraduate at Rutgers University, committed suicide after falling victim to cyberbullying (Pena, 2011). College surveys also indicate that high numbers of students either have been cyberbullied or know someone who had been cyberbullied. For instance, in a survey by MacDonald and Roberts-Pittman (2010), on 439 university learners, 21.9 percent claimed to have been bullied, 38 percent claimed to know victims of cyberbullying, while 8.6 percent confessed to having engaged in cyberbullying. A majority of the students had been bullied through either repetitive email threats or instant messages. Research on cyberbullying and gender has also pointed out that cyberbullying affects both boys and girls equally (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010). The conclusion is surprising, considering that traditional bullying mostly took place among the boys through verbal and physical aggression (Griezel, Finger, Bodkin-Andrews, Craven & Yeung, 2012). Conversely, reports indicate that girls mostly employ indirect aggression by excluding the target from the social group or attacking their reputation and spreading rumors online. This shows that the male gender is more prone to direct aggression, whereas indirect aggression is common among the female gender. The division has been associated with several interpersonal and biological factors. For instance, girls have less physical strength than boys, making them less likely to engage in physical aggression. However, the groups that girls form in school have social structures and are more intimate than those created by boys, thus making them more effective forms of attacking online users.
Effects of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying has an effect on an individual’s emotional well-being. Victims of cyberbullying often feel embarrassed and ashamed of confiding in an adult who is capable of offering assistance. The victims feel isolated from peer groups, and this leads to social isolation and loneliness. The result of this social isolation can be depression and low self-esteem. Aside from the victim, cyberbullies are also likely to face serious consequences. Studies reveal that cyberbullies have a higher chance of engaging in anti-social and maladaptive behaviors compared to non-bullies (Cowie, 2013). This means that they are at a higher risk of engaging in alcohol and drug abuse, which increases their risk of suicidal ideation and depression. Also, bullies are likely to carry on their behaviors into adulthood, which can interfere with their ability to progress career-wise as well as in society. Due to the ability of cyberbullies to extend their attacks out of school and at various times of the day and night, cyberbullying can have more effect on an individual’s life compared to traditional forms of bullying. Based on research, cyberbullying victims portray high levels of paranoia, depression, anxiety, and phobic anxiety. Aside from mental health, cyberbullying victims experience less global and domain-specific life satisfaction (Navarro, Yubero & Larranaga, 2015). This correlates to a person’s subjective well-being and evaluation of their life in terms of happiness and satisfaction. Children who are bullied report less subjective well-being and are less optimistic about their lives. A similar occurrence is notable among perpetrators of cyberbullying. According to Navarro, Yubero, and Larranaga (2015), the youth who e...