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Cyberbullying: what is it and how to stop it, what teens want to know about cyberbullying..

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We brought together UNICEF specialists, international cyberbullying and child protection experts, and teamed up with Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and X to answer some of the most common questions about online bullying and give advice on ways to deal with it. 

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies. It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones. It is repeated behaviour, aimed at scaring, angering or shaming those who are targeted. Examples include:

• spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone on social media
• sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages, images or videos via messaging platforms
• impersonating someone and sending mean messages to others on their behalf or through fake accounts.

Face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying can often happen alongside each other. But cyberbullying leaves a digital footprint – a record that can prove useful and provide evidence to help stop the abuse.

If you are worried about your safety or something that has happened to you online, you can seek help by calling your national helpline . If your country does not have a helpline, please urgently speak to an adult you trust or seek professional support from trained and experienced carers.

The top questions on cyberbullying

• Am I being bullied online? How do you tell the difference between a joke and bullying?
• What are the effects of cyberbullying?
• How can cyberbullying affect my mental health?
• Who should I talk to if someone is bullying me online? Why is reporting important?
• I’m experiencing cyberbullying, but I’m afraid to talk to my parents about it. How can I approach them?
• How can I help my friends report a case of cyberbullying especially if they don’t want to do it?
• How do we stop cyberbullying without giving up access to the internet?
• How do I prevent my personal information from being used to manipulate or humiliate me on social media?
• Is there a punishment for cyberbullying?
• Technology companies don’t seem to care about online bullying and harassment. Are they being held responsible?
• Are there any online anti-bullying tools for children or young people?

1. Am I being bullied online? How do you tell the difference between a joke and bullying?

All friends joke around with each other, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if someone is just having fun or trying to hurt you, especially online. Sometimes they’ll laugh it off with a “just kidding,” or “don’t take it so seriously.” 

But if you feel hurt or think others are laughing at you instead of with you, then the joke has gone too far. If it continues even after you’ve asked the person to stop and you are still feeling upset about it, then this could be bullying.

And when the bullying takes place online, it can result in unwanted attention from a wide range of people including strangers. Wherever it may happen, if you are not happy about it, you should not have to stand for it.

Call it what you will – if you feel bad and it doesn’t stop, then it’s worth getting help. Stopping cyberbullying is not just about calling out bullies, it’s also about recognizing that everyone deserves respect – online and in real life.

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2. What are the effects of cyberbullying?

When bullying happens online it can feel as if you’re being attacked everywhere, even inside your own home. It can seem like there’s no escape. The effects can last a long time and affect a person in many ways:

• Mentally – feeling upset, embarrassed, stupid, even afraid or angry 
• Emotionally – feeling ashamed or losing interest in the things you love
• Physically – tired (loss of sleep), or experiencing symptoms like stomach aches and headaches 

The feeling of being laughed at or harassed by others, can prevent people from speaking up or trying to deal with the problem. In extreme cases, cyberbullying can even lead to people taking their own lives. 

Cyberbullying can affect us in many ways. But these can be overcome and people can regain their confidence and health.

3. How can cyberbullying affect my mental health?

When you experience cyberbullying you might start to feel ashamed, nervous, anxious and insecure about what people say or think about you. This can lead to withdrawing from friends and family, negative thoughts and self-talk, feeling guilty about things you did or did not do, or feeling that you are being judged negatively. Feeling lonely, overwhelmed, frequent headaches, nausea or stomachaches are also common.

You can lose your motivation to do the things that you usually enjoy doing and feel isolated from the people you love and trust. This can perpetuate negative feelings and thoughts which can adversely affect your mental health and well-being.

Skipping school is another common effect of cyberbullying and can affect the mental health of young people who turn to substances like alcohol and drugs or violent behaviour to deal with their psychological and physical pain. Talking to a friend, family member or school counsellor you trust can be a first step to getting help.

The effects of cyberbullying on mental health can vary depending on the medium through which it happens. For example, bullying via text messaging or through pictures or videos on social media platforms has proven to be very harmful for adolescents.   

Cyberbullying opens the door to 24-hour harassment and can be very damaging. That’s why we offer in-app mental health and well-being support through our feature “ Here For You .” This Snapchat portal provides resources on mental health, grief, bullying, harassment, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, stress, and suicidal thoughts. It was developed in partnership with leading international advocacy and mental health organizations to help Snapchatters contend with some very real issues. Still, our foundational piece of guidance for any well-being issue is to talk to someone: a friend, parent, caregiver, trusted adult – anyone whom you trust to listen.

At Snap, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our community.  Reach out and tell us how we might be able to help.    

Cyberbullying has the potential of having a negative impact on people's mental health. It's why it's so important that you reach out to someone you trust – whether it's a parent, teacher, friend or caregiver – and let them know what you're going through so that they can help you.

The well-being of our community matters hugely to us, and we recognise that cyberbullying can have an adverse impact on people's mental health. As well as taking strong action against content or behaviour that seeks to shame, bully or harass members of our community, we have partnered with experts to develop our well-being guide to help people learn more about improving their well-being, and keep TikTok a safe and inclusive home for our community.

4. Who should I talk to if someone is bullying me online? Why is reporting important?

If you think you’re being bullied, the first step is to seek help from someone you trust such as your parents, a close family member or another trusted adult.

In your school you can reach out to a counsellor, the sports coach or your favourite teacher – either online or in person.

And if you are not comfortable talking to someone you know, search for a helpline in your country to talk to a professional counsellor.

If the bullying is happening on a social platform, consider blocking the bully and formally reporting their behaviour on the platform itself. Social media companies are obligated to keep their users safe.

For bullying to stop, it needs to be identified and reporting it is key.

It can be helpful to collect evidence – text messages and screen shots of social media posts – to show what’s been going on.

For bullying to stop, it needs to be identified and reporting it is key. It can also help to show the bully that their behaviour is unacceptable.

If you are in immediate danger, then you should contact the police or emergency services in your country.

Facebook/Instagram

At Meta, we take bullying and harassment situations seriously. Bullying and harassment is a unique challenge and one of the most complex issues to address because context is critical. We work hard to enforce against this content while also equipping our community with tools to protect themselves in ways that work best for them.

If you're experiencing bullying online, we encourage you to talk to a parent, teacher or someone else you can trust – you have a right to be safe and supported.

We also make it easy to report bullying directly within Facebook or Instagram. You can send our team a report from a post, comment, story or direct message (DM). Your report is anonymous; the account you reported won’t see who reported them. We have a team who reviews these reports 24/7 around the world in 70+ languages and we will remove anything that violates our policies.

Meta’s Family Center offers resources, insights and expert guidance to help parents, guardians and trusted adults support their teen’s online experiences across our technologies. Additionally, the Meta Safety Center provides bullying prevention resources that can help teens seeking support for issues related to bullying like what to do if you or a friend is being bullied or if you've been called a bully. For educators , we have expert-backed tips on how to proactively handle and work to implement bullying prevention strategies

Bullying is something no one should have to experience, either in person or online. 

Snapchat’s Community Guidelines clearly and explicitly prohibit bullying, intimidation, and harassment of any kind. We don’t want it on the platform; it’s not in keeping with why Snapchat was created and designed. Learn more here .

Letting us know when you experience or witness someone breaking our rules allows us to take action, which helps to protect you and other members of our community. In addition to reporting violating content or behaviour to Snapchat, speak with a friend, parent, caregiver, or other trusted adult. Our goal is for everyone to stay safe and have fun!

Everyone has the right to feel safe and to be treated with respect and dignity. Bullying and harassment are incompatible with the inclusive environment we aim to foster on TikTok. 

If you ever feel someone is bullying you or otherwise being inappropriate, reach out to someone you trust - for example, a parent, a teacher or a caregiver – who can provide support.

We deploy both technology and thousands of safety professionals to help keep bullying off TikTok. We also encourage our community members to make use of the easy in-app reporting tools to alert us if they or someone they know has experienced bullying. You can report videos, comments, accounts and direct messages so that we can take appropriate action and help keep you safe. Reports are always confidential. 

You can find out more in our Bullying Prevention guide for teens, caregivers, and educators on how to identify and prevent bullying, and provide support.

Being the target of bullying online is not easy to deal with. If you are being cyberbullied, the most important thing to do is to ensure you are safe. It’s essential to have someone to talk to about what you are going through. This may be a teacher, another trusted adult, or a parent. Talk to your parents and friends about what to do if you or a friend are being cyberbullied.

We encourage people to report accounts to us that may break our  rules . You can do this on our  Help Center  or through the in-post reporting mechanism by clicking on the “Report a post” option.

Last updated: January 2022.

5. I’m experiencing cyberbullying, but I’m afraid to talk to my parents about it. How can I approach them?

If you are experiencing cyberbullying, speaking to a trusted adult – someone you feel safe talking to – is one of the most important first steps you can take.

Talking to parents isn’t easy for everyone. But there are things you can do to help the conversation. Choose a time to talk when you know you have their full attention. Explain how serious the problem is for you. Remember, they might not be as familiar with technology as you are, so you might need to help them to understand what’s happening.

They might not have instant answers for you, but they are likely to want to help and together you can find a solution. Two heads are always better than one! If you are still unsure about what to do, consider reaching out to other trusted people . There are often more people who care about you and are willing to help than you might think!

6. How can I help my friends report a case of cyberbullying especially if they don’t want to do it?

Anyone can become a victim of cyberbullying. If you see this happening to someone you know, try to offer support.

It is important to listen to your friend. Why don’t they want to report being cyberbullied? How are they feeling? Let them know that they don’t have to formally report anything, but it’s crucial to talk to someone who might be able to help.

Anyone can become a victim of cyberbullying.

Remember, your friend may be feeling fragile. Be kind to them. Help them think through what they might say and to whom. Offer to go with them if they decide to report. Most importantly, remind them that you’re there for them and you want to help.

If your friend still does not want to report the incident, then support them in finding a trusted adult who can help them deal with the situation. Remember that in certain situations the consequences of cyberbullying can be life threatening.

Doing nothing can leave the person feeling that everyone is against them or that nobody cares. Your words can make a difference.

We know that it can be hard to report bullying, but everyone deserves to feel safe online. If your friend is experiencing cyberbullying, encourage them to talk to a parent, a teacher or an adult they trust.

Reporting content or accounts to Facebook or Instagram is anonymous and can help us better keep our platforms safe. Bullying and harassment are highly personal by nature, so in many instances, we need a person to report this behaviour to us before we can identify or remove it. You can report something you experience yourself, but it’s also just as easy to submit a report for one of your friends. You can find more information on how to report something on our How to Report Bullying section  at the Meta Safety Center.

You and your friends may be reluctant to report to a technology platform for any number of reasons, but it’s important to know that reporting on Snapchat is confidential and easy. And remember: You can report Snaps (photos and videos), Chats (messages) and accounts – about your own experiences or on behalf of someone else. 

In the more public places of Snapchat, like Stories and Spotlight, simply press and hold on the piece of content and a card with “Report Tile” (as one option) will appear in red. Click that link and our reporting menu will appear. Bullying and harassment are among the first categories in the reporting list. Just follow the prompts and provide as much information as you can about the incident. We appreciate you doing your part to help us protect the Snapchat community!  

If you believe another member of the TikTok community is being bullied or harassed, there are ways you can provide support. For example, you can make a confidential report on TikTok so that we take appropriate action and help keep your friend safe. 

If you know the person, consider checking in with them and encourage them to read our Bullying Prevention guide so they can find out more information about how to identify bullying behaviour and take action.

If your friends are experiencing cyberbullying, encourage them to talk to a parent, a teacher or an adult they trust.

If a friend of yours does not want to report their experience, you can submit a bystander report  on their behalf. This can include reports of private information , non -consensual nudity  or impersonation.

7. How do we stop cyberbullying without giving up access to the Internet?

Being online has so many benefits. However, like many things in life, it comes with risks that you need to protect against.

If you experience cyberbullying, you may want to delete certain apps or stay offline for a while to give yourself time to recover. But getting off the Internet is not a long-term solution. You did nothing wrong, so why should you be disadvantaged? It may even send the bullies the wrong signal — encouraging their unacceptable behaviour. 

We need to be thoughtful about what we share or say that may hurt others.

We all want cyberbullying to stop, which is one of the reasons reporting cyberbullying is so important. But creating the Internet we want goes beyond calling out bullying. We need to be thoughtful about what we share or say that may hurt others. We need to be kind to one another online and in real life. It's up to all of us!

We’re continuously developing new technologies  to encourage positive interactions and take action on harmful content, and launching new tools to help people have more control over their experience. Here are some tools you can use:

• Comment warnings: When someone writes a caption or a comment that our AI detects as potentially offensive or intended to harass, we will show them an alert that asks them to pause and reflect on whether they would like to edit their language before it’s posted.
• Comment and message controls: Comments with common offensive words, phrases or emojis, and abusive messages or messages from strangers can be automatically hidden or filtered out with the ‘ Hidden words ’ setting, which is defaulted on for all people. If you want an even more personalized experience, you can create a custom list of emojis, words or phrases you don’t want to see, and comments containing these terms won’t appear under your posts and messages will be sent to a filtered inbox. All Instagram accounts have the option to switch off DMs from people they don’t follow. Messenger also gives you the option to ignore a conversation and automatically move it out of your inbox, without having to block the sender.
• Block and Mute: You can always  block  or  mute  an account that is bullying you, and that account will not be notified. When you block someone on Instagram, you’ll also have the option to block other accounts they may have or create, making it more difficult for them to interact with you.
• Restrict: With ‘Restrict,’ you can protect your account from unwanted interactions in a quieter, or more subtle way. Once Restrict is enabled, comments on your posts from a person you have restricted will only be visible to that person. You can choose to view the comment by tapping “See Comment”; approve the comment so everyone can see it; delete it; or ignore it. You won’t receive any notifications for comments from a restricted account.
• Limits:  You can automatically hide comments and DM requests from people who don’t follow you, or who only recently followed you. If you’re going through an influx of unwanted comments or messages — or think you may be about to — you can turn on Limits and avoid it.

Our priority is to foster a welcoming and safe environment where people feel free to express themselves authentically. Our Community Guidelines make clear that we do not tolerate members of our community being shamed, bullied or harassed. 

We use a combination of technology and moderation teams to help us identify and remove abusive content or behaviour from our platform. 

We also provide our community with an extensive range of tools to help them better control their experience – whether it's control over exactly who can view and interact with your content or filtering tools to help you stay in control of comments. You can find out about them on our Safety Centre . 

Since hundreds of millions of people share ideas on X every day, it’s no surprise that we don’t all agree with each other all the time. That’s one of the benefits of a public conversation in that we can all learn from respectful disagreements and discussions.

But sometimes, after you’ve listened to someone for a while, you may not want to hear them anymore. Their right to express themselves doesn’t mean you’re required to listen. If you see or receive a reply you don’t like, unfollow  and end any communication with that account. If the behaviour continues, it is recommended that you block the account . If you continue receiving unwanted, targeted and continuous replies on X, consider reporting the behaviour to X here .

We are also working proactively to protect people using our service through a combination of human review and technology. Learn more about how to feel safer on X here .

8. How do I prevent my personal information from being used to manipulate or humiliate me on social media?

Think twice before posting or sharing anything on digital platforms – it may be online forever and could be used to harm you later. Don’t give out personal details such as your address, telephone number or the name of your school.

Learn about the privacy settings of your favourite social media apps. Here are some actions you can take on many of them: 

• You can decide who can see your profile, send you direct messages or comment on your posts by adjusting your account privacy settings. 
• You can report hurtful comments, messages, photos and videos and request they be removed.
• Besides ‘unfriending’, you can completely block people to stop them from seeing your profile or contacting you.
• You can also choose to have comments by certain people to appear only to them without completely blocking them.
• You can delete posts on your profile or hide them from specific people. 

On most of your favourite social media, people aren't notified when you block, restrict or report them.

9. Is there a punishment for cyberbullying?

Most schools take bullying seriously and will take action against it. If you are being cyberbullied by other students, report it to your school.

People who are victims of any form of violence, including bullying and cyberbullying, have a right to justice and to have the offender held accountable.

Laws against bullying, particularly on cyberbullying, are relatively new and still do not exist everywhere. This is why many countries rely on other relevant laws, such as ones against harassment, to punish cyberbullies.

In countries that have specific laws on cyberbullying, online behaviour that deliberately causes serious emotional distress is seen as criminal activity. In some of these countries, victims of cyberbullying can seek protection, prohibit communication from a specified person and restrict the use of electronic devices used by that person for cyberbullying, temporarily or permanently.

However, it is important to remember that punishment is not always the most effective way to change the behaviour of bullies. Sometimes, focusing on repairing the harm and mending the relationship can be better.

On Facebook, we have a set of  Community Standards , and on Instagram, we have  Community Guidelines . We take action when we are aware of content that violates these policies, like in the case of bullying or harassment, and we are constantly improving our detection tools so we can find this content faster.

Bullying and harassment can happen in many places and come in many different forms from making threats and releasing personally identifiable information to sending threatening messages and making unwanted malicious contact. We do not tolerate this kind of behavior because it prevents people from feeling safe and respected on our apps.

Making sure people don’t see hateful or harassing content in direct messages can be challenging, given they’re private conversations, but we are taking steps to take tougher action when we become aware of people breaking our rules. If someone continues to send violating messages, we will disable their account. We’ll also disable new accounts created to get around our messaging restrictions and will continue to disable accounts we find that are created purely to send harmful messages.

On Snapchat, reports of cyberbullying are reviewed by Snap’s dedicated Trust & Safety teams, which operate around the clock and around the globe. Individuals found to be involved in cyberbullying may be given a warning, their accounts might be suspended or their accounts could be shut down completely. 

We recommend leaving any group chat where bullying or any unwelcome behaviour is taking place and please report the behaviour and/or the account to us.  

Our Community Guidelines define a set of norms and common code of conduct for TikTok and they provide guidance on what is and is not allowed to make a welcoming space for everyone. We make it clear that we do not tolerate members of our community being shamed, bullied or harassed. We take action against any such content and accounts, including removal.

We strongly enforce our rules to ensure all people can participate in the public conversation freely and safely. These rules specifically cover a number of areas including topics such as:

• Child sexual exploitation
• Abuse/harassment
• Hateful conduct
• Suicide or self-harm
• Sharing of sensitive media, including graphic violence and adult content

As part of these rules, we take a number of different enforcement actions when content is in violation. When we take enforcement actions, we may do so either on a specific piece of content (e.g., an individual post or Direct Message) or on an account.

You can find more on our enforcement actions here .

10. Technology companies don’t seem to care about online bullying and harassment. Are they being held responsible?

Technology companies are increasingly paying attention to the issue of online bullying.

Many of them are introducing ways to address it and better protect their users with new tools, guidance and ways to report online abuse.

But it is true that more is needed. Many young people experience cyberbullying every day. Some face extreme forms of online abuse. Some have taken their own lives as a result.

Technology companies have a responsibility to protect their users especially children and young people.

It is up to all of us to hold them accountable when they’re not living up to these responsibilities.

11. Are there any online anti-bullying tools for children or young people?

Each social platform offers different tools (see available ones below) that allow you to restrict who can comment on or view your posts or who can connect automatically as a friend, and to report cases of bullying. Many of them involve simple steps to block, mute or report cyberbullying. We encourage you to explore them.

Social media companies also provide educational tools and guidance for children, parents and teachers to learn about risks and ways to stay safe online.

Also, the first line of defense against cyberbullying could be you. Think about where cyberbullying happens in your community and ways you can help – by raising your voice, calling out bullies, reaching out to trusted adults or by creating awareness of the issue. Even a simple act of kindness can go a long way.

The first line of defense against cyberbullying could be you.

If you are worried about your safety or something that has happened to you online, urgently speak to an adult you trust. Many countries have a special helpline you can call for free and talk to someone anonymously. Visit  United for Global Mental Health to find help in your country.

We have a number of anti-bullying tools across Facebook and Instagram:

• You can block people, including any existing and new accounts they might create.
• You can  mute  an account and that account will not be notified.
• You can limit unwanted interactions for a period of time by automatically hiding comments and message requests from people who don’t follow you, or who only recently followed you.
• You can use ‘ Restrict ’ to discreetly protect your account without that person being notified.
• You can  moderate comments  on your own posts.
• You can  modify your settings  so that only people you follow can send you a direct message.
• We will notify someone when they’re about to post something that might cross the line, encouraging them to reconsider.
• We automatically filter out comments and message requests that don’t go against our Community Guidelines but may be considered inappropriate or offensive. You can also create your own custom list of emojis, words or phrases that you don’t want to see.

For more tips and ideas, visit Instagram’s Safety page and Facebook’s Bullying Prevention Hub . We also offer resources, insights and expert guidance for parents and guardians on our Family Center .

We want teens and young adults to be aware of the blocking and removal functions on Snapchat. Clicking on the person’s avatar will bring up a three-dot menu in the upper right-hand corner. Opening that menu offers the option of “Manage Friendship,” which, in turn, offers the ability to Report, Block or Remove the person as a friend. Know that if you block someone, they will be told that their Snaps and Chats to you will be delivered once the relationship is restored.  

It’s also a good idea to check privacy settings to ensure they continue to be set to the default setting of “Friends Only.” This way, only people you’ve added as Friends can send you Snaps and Chats.  

We also recommend reviewing your Friends’ list from time to time to ensure it includes those people you still want to be friends with on Snapchat.  

Alongside the work that our safety teams do to help keep bullying and harassment off our platform, we provide an extensive range of tools to help you control your TikTok experience. You can find these in full on our Safety Centre . Here are a few highlights:

• You can restrict who comments on your videos to no one, just friends or everyone (for those aged under 16, the everyone setting is not available)
• You can filter all comments or those with specific keywords that you choose. By default, spam and offensive comments are hidden from users when we detect them.
• You can delete or report multiple comments at once, and you can block accounts that post bullying or other negative comments in bulk too, up to 100 at a time.
• A comment prompt asks people to reconsider posting a comment that may be inappropriate or unkind, reminding them of our Community Guidelines and allowing them to edit their comments before sharing.

We want everybody to be safe on X. We continue to launch and improve tools for people to feel safer, be in control and manage their digital footprint. Here are some safety tools anyone on X can use: 

• Select who can reply to your posts  – either everyone, only people you follow or only people you mention
• Mute – removing an account's posts from your timeline without unfollowing or blocking that account
• Block – restricting specific accounts from contacting you, seeing your posts, and following you
• Report – filing a report about abusive behaviour
• Safety mode  – a feature that temporarily blocks accounts for using potentially harmful language or sending repetitive and uninvited replies or mentions.

With special thanks to:  Meta, Snap, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter). Last updated: February 2024.

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Essay on Social Media Bullying Prevention

Students are often asked to write an essay on Social Media Bullying Prevention in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Social Media Bullying Prevention

Understanding social media bullying.

Social media bullying is when someone uses the internet to hurt or embarrass another person. It’s like being mean or teasing someone, but it happens online. This can make the person being bullied feel sad, scared, or alone.

Ways to Stop It

To stop bullying on social media, we can start by being kind to everyone online. If you see someone being mean, tell an adult like a teacher or parent. It’s also good to support the person who is being bullied by being their friend.

Creating a Safe Online Space

Schools and parents can help by teaching kids how to be safe and kind on the internet. They can also make rules about using social media in a good way. This helps make the internet a happier place for everyone.

250 Words Essay on Social Media Bullying Prevention

What is social media bullying.

Social media bullying is using electronic devices to bully or harass someone. It can include sending mean or threatening messages, posting hurtful comments or pictures, or spreading rumors online.

Effects of Social Media Bullying

Social media bullying can have serious effects on the victim. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. It can also damage the victim’s reputation and make it difficult to make friends or get a job.

Preventing Social Media Bullying

There are several things that can be done to prevent social media bullying. Parents and caregivers can talk to their children about the dangers of social media bullying and teach them how to respond to it. Schools can implement anti-bullying policies and provide resources to students who are being bullied. Social media companies can also take steps to prevent bullying by monitoring their platforms and removing harmful content.

Responding to Social Media Bullying

If you are being bullied on social media, there are several things you can do. You can block the bully, report the bullying to the social media company, and talk to a trusted adult. You can also reach out to a crisis hotline or mental health professional if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Social media bullying is a serious problem, but it can be prevented and stopped. By working together, parents, caregivers, schools, and social media companies can create a safe and positive online environment for everyone.

500 Words Essay on Social Media Bullying Prevention

Social media bullying is when someone uses social media to say or do mean or hurtful things to another person. This can include posting hurtful comments or pictures, sending mean messages, or spreading rumors. Social media bullying can be just as harmful as face-to-face bullying. which can be just as harmful as face-to-face bullying.

Why is Social Media Bullying Prevention Important?

Social media bullying can have a devastating impact on a person’s life. Victims of social media bullying may experience depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. They may also have trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating in school. In some cases, social media bullying can even lead to physical violence. It is important to prevent social media bullying because it can have a devastating impact on a person’s life.

What Can You Do to Prevent Social Media Bullying?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent social media bullying, both online and offline. The first step to preventing social media bullying is being aware of the problem. Talk to your children about social media bullying and let them know that it is never okay. Make sure they know how to identify social media bullying and what to do if they are ever bullied online.

How to Respond to Social Media Bullying

If you are being bullied online, there are a few things you can do to respond: First, try to ignore the bully. It is important not to engage with the bully, as this will only encourage them to continue their behavior. Second, block the bully from contacting you.

Social media bullying is a serious problem, but it is one that can be prevented. By being aware of the problem, talking to your children about it, and teaching them how to respond to social media bullying, you can help to keep your children safe online.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Why Deadlines Are Important
• Essay on Social Media Benefits For Students
• Essay on Social Media Ban For Under 18

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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How to Prevent Cyberbullying

Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

Cyberbullying is a growing social problem that has become all too common in online communities. Research indicates that one in five tweens has been cyberbullied, while 59% of teens have been harassed online. And the rate at which online bullying is occurring does not seem to be declining.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberbullying escalated . During stay-at-home orders, research shows cyberbullying increased 70% and toxicity on online gaming platforms increased 40%.

These numbers illustrate that despite increased education and improved school bullying prevention programs , incidences of cyberbullying continue to escalate. So parents need to do what they can to prevent cyberbullying in their kids' lives.

Why Prevention Is Important

Cyberbullying is deliberately and repeatedly inflicting harm using electronic devices, gaming apps, and online social media platforms. It often manifests as hate accounts, hurtful social media posts, online rumors and gossip , and mean comments while gaming. The intention is almost always to embarrass, threaten, humiliate, intimidate, or abuse the intended target.

Research has shown that those who are cyberbullied suffer a number of different consequences , including struggling emotionally, physically, mentally, and academically. What's more, cyberbullying is a significant stressor in a young person's life. Cyberbullying leaves young people feeling hurt, embarrassed, and sometimes even scared.

Not only do they often blame themselves for the torment and harassment they experience, but they also are left feeling extremely stressed out. In fact, one study found that nearly 35% of those targeted by cyberbullies reported symptoms of stress.

Kids targeted by cyberbullies also may experience physical symptoms in response to the stress they are experiencing. They may complain of stomachaches, headaches, skin conditions, and other physical ailments.

Kids' sleeping and eating habits can be impacted by cyberbullying. Sometimes kids who are cyberbullied will crash diet or binge eat as either a way of coping with the cyberbullying or as an attempt to alter the way they look in hopes the cyberbullying will end.

Grades and extracurricular activities may also suffer as a result of harassment. Teens may skip school or have trouble concentrating on their studies because cyberbullying is consuming all of their time and energy.

It's also not uncommon for cyberbullying victims to feel alone and isolated. Many kids who are targeted report being ostracized at school . This experience, in turn, impacts their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Ultimately, cyberbullying can lead to self-harm and even suicidal thoughts.

When kids are regularly harassed by others through social media posts, text messages, instant messaging, and blog posts, they can start to feel hopeless. They may start to think that the only way to escape the torment is through suicide. Because the risks associated with cyberbullying are so significant, it's important that parents take steps to prevent cyberbullying in their kids' lives.

If your tween or teen is having suicidal thoughts, they can contact the  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  at  988  for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If they are in immediate danger, call 911.

Ways to Manage Cyberbullying

While there is no foolproof way to prevent your child from ever being cyberbullied, there are things you can do together to reduce the likelihood they will be targeted. This includes implementing safety measures as well as having ongoing conversations about cyberbullying. You need to discuss what cyberbullying is, the risks associated with experiencing it, and how it can escalate.

It's also important to talk to your tweens and teens about how to use social media safely and responsibly and what they should do if they are bullied online.

Protect Accounts and Devices

When it comes to preventing cyberbullying, and similar behaviors like catfishing , it's important that your child use passwords on everything. Passwords are one of the most effective ways to protect accounts and devices.

Emphasize that your child should never share their passwords with anyone, including their best friend. Even though they may trust that friend implicitly, the reality is that friends come and go and there is no guarantee they are going to be friends forever.

Use Privacy Tools and Settings

No matter what your teen does online, make sure they are aware of the privacy settings and tools offered by the organization. Almost every social media platform including Instagram , Twitter, SnapChat , and TikTok have privacy settings.

Go through each account with your child and help them set their privacy settings to the most secure settings. This means making accounts private, preventing people from tagging them, requiring other people to get permission before sharing one of their photos, and so on.

Keep Personal Stuff Private

Kids should never share their address, cell phone number, or email address online. They should be careful about sharing too much information about where they go to school, especially if they have friends or followers online that they don't know really well.

Remind them that people are not always who they claim to be online. Even though the profile photo is of a teenage girl, that doesn't mean the person behind the account is actually a teenage girl. It could be someone pretending to be a young girl in order to gather information on other teens.

Manage Location Sharing

Some smartphones allow users to share their location with friends. This means that if they share their location with people, these people will always know where they are. Have a discussion with your child about who they can share their location with or if they can share it at all.

Likewise, some photos taken with smartphones already contain geotags that indicate where the photo was taken. People can use these photos to determine your child's location, even if they never mention where the photo was taken.

Your child needs to be mindful about which photos they are sharing and when. For instance, you may want them to refrain from posting vacation pictures until you have returned from vacation. This way, you are not letting the entire online world know that no one is at your home for the next two weeks.

Teach Them to Think Before Posting

Help your tweens and teens get in the habit of taking some time before posting. For instance, they could create a post offline and then come back to it in an hour and decide if they still want to post it. Doing so will keep them from posting things that they may later regret.

Cyberbullies may take what your child posted and use it against them in some way, so it might be helpful to encourage your child to take time to think before posting. Of course, if someone wants to use something against them, it won't necessarily matter what the content is.

But by taking their time to craft a post, your child will be able to think through what they are posting and determine whether or not it's something they want to say publicly. This is a good practice for kids in order to maintain a healthy relationship with social media.

You also need to teach your tween or teen how to practice digital etiquette . Using social media and other online tools is a privilege, not a right, and one that can be taken away if they are unable to use it responsibly.

Conduct a Social Media Audit

Every month or so, sit down with your tween or teen and go through their social media accounts. Together, determine what posts may need to be deleted from their account. This exercise is especially important as they prepare to apply to college or look for a new job.

Many times, college recruiters and hiring managers will look through an applicant's social media accounts to get a feel for their personality and character. Together along with your teen, be sure your teen's posts and photos are sending the message they want others to receive.

Log Out When Using Public Devices

Remind your tween or teen that when they are using public computers or laptops at school or the library, they should log out of any account they use. This includes logging out of email, social media accounts, their school account, Amazon account, and any other account they may open.

Simply closing the tab is not enough. If someone gets on the computer immediately after they are done, they may still be able to get into your child's account. And once they have access, they can take control of that account by changing passwords.

Once they have control, they can impersonate your child online by making fake posts and comments that make your child look bad. Plus, once you lose access to an account, it can be difficult and time-consuming to regain control.

Refuse to Respond to Cyberbullies

If your child does experience cyberbullying, they should refrain from responding. This means they should not argue, try to explain, or engage in any way with a cyberbully.

Cyberbullies are looking for an emotional response, but if your child refuses to give them anything to go on, they are left with one-sided communications.

In the meantime, they should take screenshots of the harassment and save it as proof of the encounter. This documentation may be needed when reporting a cyberbully.

Report Cyberbullies

Make sure your child knows that they should always report cyberbullying. This includes not only telling you what is happening, but also letting the social media platform, internet service provider, and any other necessary parties know what is going on. You may even need to contact the school or the police to put an end to the harassment.

Once all the reports have been filed, take the appropriate steps to block the person or account responsible for the cyberbullying. Doing so doesn't prevent them from using a different account or a public space to continue to cyberbully your tween or teen, but it will slow them down.

Teens also should learn to be good bystanders too. If they witness cyberbullying online, they should refrain from participating in the cyberbullying and instead look for ways to support the person being targeted. They should also report what they witness online to a responsible adult like you, a teacher, or a principal—especially if they know who is doing the cyberbullying.

More often than not, kids are cyberbullied by people they know from their school or their community. So standing up for the person being targeted can help prevent future cyberbullying incidents, especially if the cyberbully is not getting the reaction they want.

A Word From Verywell

Whether you are looking to protect your child as they embark on the online world or they have already experienced cyberbullying, it is never too late (or too early) to implement strategies to prevent cyberbullying. Even college students and young adults can benefit from added safety measures.

Sit down with your kids and strategize how they can not only use online tools safely, but also how they can protect themselves from trolls , cyberbullies, and other toxic people online. You should also talk to them about what steps to take if they are cyberbullied, including how to report cyberbullying to the appropriate authorities.

And remember, technology and the internet are not the issue. It's the people who use it to harm others that are the real problem. Try to refrain from taking away technology or limiting your child's access to online tools. Instead, teach them how to use these tools safely and responsibly. Doing so will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Cyberbullying Research Center in Partnership With Cartoon Network. Tween cyberbullying in 2020 .

Pew Research Center. A majority of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying .

L1ght.  Rising levels of hate speech & online toxicity during this time of crisis .

Nixon CL.  Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health .  Adolesc Health Med Ther . 2014;5:143-58. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S36456

Extremera N, Quintana-Orts C, Mérida-López S, Rey L.  Cyberbullying victimization, self-esteem and suicidal ideation in adolescence: does emotional intelligence play a buffering role? .  Front Psychol . 2018;9:367. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00367

Alavi N, Reshetukha T, Prost E, et al.  Relationship between bullying and suicidal behaviour in youth presenting to the emergency department .  JdCan Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry . 2017;26(2):70-77.

By Sherri Gordon Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. 

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Home / Parenting, Kids & Teens / What is cyberbullying and how can it be prevented?

What is cyberbullying and how can it be prevented?

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Bullying has blighted childhood and growing up since time began. Bullying can include mean words, teasing, spiteful pranks, the spreading of false rumors, name-calling, the taking of personal items, exclusion from social groups and events, graffiti scrawled on a locker, pushing and shoving, harassment, threats, and in its worst form, physical violence. Bullying is repetitive, not just a single act of aggression.

Kids who are bullied often withdraw socially, begin to underperform academically, feel anxious, sleep badly, and may eventually become depressed and feel trapped if the bullying goes on long enough.

As seen in the media, extreme bullying scenarios have resulted in a tragic and growing list of young people who take their own lives, at least in part to escape persistent bullying.

Most forms of in-person bullying now also take place online, potentially doubling a child’s exposure to bullying. Online, screen-based or technology-based bullying, which can happen across any medium where social interaction takes place, is called cyberbullying.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying involves actions like:

• Sharing photos or videos of people without consent to embarrass them, make them feel bad about themselves, or enact revenge for a friendship or relationship that has broken down.
• Name-calling, teasing, belittling, mocking or social exclusion.
• Spreading false rumors.
• Creating fake social media accounts in an individual’s name and posting outrageous statements about a peer to isolate, degrade and prank both people.
• Circulating a person’s private messages sent in confidence to a group for amusement and the power of violating privacy.
• Sharing a person’s videos sent in confidence with a chat group or a class to cause embarrassment and ridicule.
• Sending anonymous critical, harassing or threatening messages to people to damage their self-esteem, make them doubt that their friendship group cares for them or instill a sense of not being safe.
• Texting or direct-messaging explicit, unsolicited images, real, altered or fake.
• Leaking an individual’s personal information such as home address or phone number to peer groups to invade privacy and encourage personal attacks.
• Unsolicited forwarding to an individual hurtful or hateful comments that were made by a social peer to undermine confidence and cause conflict within a social group.
• Posting mocking or spiteful comments on an individual’s social media accounts both to cause upset and to encourage other followers, usually from the same school, to join in, triggering group cyberbullying.

While cyberbullying seems at first glance different from in-person bullying, [WNJ1]  experts see similarities.

“It’s the same sort of behavior,” says Bridget K. Biggs, Ph.D., L.P., a psychologist at Mayo Clinic. “Verbal aggression like name-calling, relational aggression like spreading rumors and trying to cut people out of relationships, and threatening or physical aggression — the effects are about the same, broadly speaking: lower mood, reduced self-esteem and anxiety, particularly social anxiety.”

Dr. Biggs underscores one key difference: unlike in-person bullying — unless it is caught on school security cameras — cyberbullying can be proved.

“Cyberbullying leaves a trail of indelible evidence, with the exception of disappearing message capabilities unless one can take a screenshot fast enough. But if a peer sends an unflattering or sexualized video or photo, that’s out in cyberspace forever. So there are positives and negatives to this permanence.”

What is the percentage of cyberbullying?

“The good news is that bullying overall, including cyberbullying, tends to decline after its prevalence peaks in mid-adolescence,” affirms Dr Biggs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cyberbullying is experienced by the highest percentage of kids in middle schools (33%) followed by high schools (30%) and primary schools (5%).

Among high school students in the U.S., 1 in 6 has been cyberbullied, compared with 1 in 5 who has been bullied in person. Furthermore, for children who identify as LGBTQ+, the Cyberbullying Research Center reports that 31% experience cyberbullying versus 21% of heterosexual students.

It’s no wonder that when Google surveyed U.S. teachers in 2019, bullying and cyberbullying headlined as their No. 1 concern.

What is the difference between cyberbullying and bullying?

Cyberbullying Facts: There are several ways that cyberbullying differs from in-person bullying:

What are the effects of cyberbullying?

If you were ever bullied at school, you’ll remember how quickly you felt shut out of life and how going into school each day was fraught with fear or a feeling of torture. Targets of cyberbullying are affected in much the same way as those bullied in person and can develop some or all of the following symptoms:

• Difficulties sleeping.
• Not wanting to go to school.
• Declining academic performance.
• Acting distracted at home.
• Reduced self-esteem.
• Feelings of not fitting in or belonging.

As the extent or longevity of bullying increase, it’s possible for more extreme reactions to occur, including:

• Self-harming behaviors such as cutting or burning.
• Depression.
• Thoughts of dropping out of school.
• Suicidal thoughts.
• Suicide attempts.

“With traditional face-to-face bullying,” says Dr. Biggs, “when you get home, you at least get a break from it. But if that social connection is also online, then you are still connected via cyberspace when you get home. Cyberspace therefore becomes just one more place to experience bullying.”

In a rare minority of cases, there have been tragic, high-profile stories of kids in the U.S. driven to suicide by cyberbullying. However, research on this subject by Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center is careful to underscore that suicide is always complex, with multifaceted drivers.

“There’s an increased risk for suicidality if a child is being bullied, yes,” Dr Biggs adds. “But note that of all the kids experiencing bullying, it’s a really small number who commit suicide. That’s important for parents to know.”

Why do people cyberbully?

As with in-person bullying, bullies court popularity and power and see bullying as a means to exert influence, control friendships, and dominate classrooms and playgrounds. In making others feel small, they feel bigger. There are often familial factors behind bullying and cyberbullying, and those can include witnessing verbal or physical aggression at home, which can lead to similar behavior socially or at school. With cyberbullying, if the bully has a high number of followers on social media, the validation of likes and shares for bullying behaviors can be intoxicating and signal a formula for popularity.

How to stop a child who is cyberbullying

• Explain what cyberbullying is , how it traumatizes others and its consequences.
• Set out what behaviors are unacceptable and explain that you will monitor behavior.
• Praise improved behaviors and set consequences, such as limiting gaming time, if your child cyberbullies again.
• Propose a meeting with administrators at your child’s school if behavior deteriorates.

Is cyberbullying illegal?

Strictly speaking, no. But if cyberbullying touches on laws around stalking, criminal online harassment or sexting that involves third-party possession or wider distribution of nude photos of minors, then authorities can be engaged. And if cyberbullying — as with in-person bullying — leads to a physical attack on the victim, then assault charges may become valid. Relative to state and federal law, schools can intervene when bullying of a student is taking place by another student or group of students, though according to Pew Research Center, only 34% of parents whose child is being cyberbullied report it to the child’s school.

How can parents prevent cyberbullying?

One can’t prevent cyberbullying. After all, it’s impossible to live screen-free in our world today. But Dr. Biggs does advocate parents helping their child divert focus toward building a healthy social circle.

“The effects of being bullied are mitigated when people have strong social support,” she explains. “Even one good-quality friendship can make a difference. If a child has this, then the child may feel able to say ‘That’s a chat group I don’t want to be part of.’ Parents can support their kids by encouraging the fostering of friendships and activities that are positive. You can even ask: ”Who do you want to surround yourself with?’ That’s a very positive coping strategy, surrounding yourself with good people.”

As well as encouraging positive friendships, parents can also help clarify context.

“With cyberbullying,” Dr Biggs says, “if children show you a message that upsets them, which the cyberbully is calling a joke, you might say something like, ‘Well I didn’t find that very funny — I suggest you shrug it off and don’t engage, because this person just wants to pull you in.’ “

Dr. Biggs, a mother of two herself, sees conversations about cyberbullying as just another part of teaching children about online safety.

“Start having conversations about safe behaviors online as soon as your kid begins using technology. That shouldn’t be one conversation; it should be ongoing. You need to talk about phishing, scamming, people who may say they’re somebody but they’re actually somebody else and what information is safe to provide. And you should warn that there are people who do mean things online who might also do mean things in person. If kids already have that awareness, then when it happens, they can think, ‘I remember, a safe adult told me about that and predicted that this is something that could happen.’ “

Overall, though, Dr Biggs advises a delicate balance of supervision and distance.

“Not helicopter parenting and not letting them fly the helicopter,” she says. “Kids are more likely to use the internet safely and positively when their parents pay attention to what they are doing, provide guidance and set limits around use — but also allow some choice, input and autonomous decision-making, all while keeping the lines of communication open between themselves and their kids. It seems that providing some education about the benefits and dangers of the internet — including the possibility of aggression occurring in digital platforms — is beneficial. As with other responsibilities, it makes sense to ease restrictions and allow greater autonomy and choice as kids get older and as they demonstrate their ability to use the resource responsibly.”

How kids can limit their exposure to cyberbullying

• Never respond unless a parent encourages you to assert a clear boundary and take a screenshot of your request — for example, “Please stop saying these things to me,” “I don’t want you to treat me this way” — so it can be used as evidence of online harassment, if needed.
• Take a screenshot of all hostilities to establish a record of evidence.
• Show a parent the messages or comments and talk it over.
• Block and report cyberbullies on social media if doing so won’t inflame an already difficult situation.
• If your parents agree, arrange a discrete meeting with a teacher.
• Use privacy settings to protect personal posts on social media from being accessed by strangers.
• Wait for at least 60 minutes before acting on an impulse to share sensitive photos, videos or information with a peer.
• Have designated digital-free time each day .

The future of cyberbullying

Because it is next to impossible to live in a device-free world while growing up nowadays, parents may fear that nothing can stop their child being cyberbullied. However, Dr. Biggs cites one effective peer-to-peer method that does work: upstanding.

“Upstanding is when witnesses speak up and communicate that aggression is not acceptable and that treating others with respect is socially desirable or ‘cool,’ ” Dr Biggs says. “That does reduce bullying.”

There are also small poignant ways parents can reduce bullying of any type though, as Dr Biggs concludes:

“I heard of a parent responding to news that her child had been bullying another child on the bus. She told her son that she had heard that bullying had been happening — without indicating that she knew who was doing it — and asked him to look out for the child, as she knew that child to be a kind and responsible person. The bullying stopped.”

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Social Media Bullying – Definition, Effects, And Prevention

While social media provides a forum for connection, it also gives people the opportunity to engage in potentially harmful behavior. Social media bullying can be unnamed, persistent, and difficult to avoid; and it can have serious effects, such as academic or professional struggles and mental health-related concerns. This form of bullying can also, however, be addressed and even prevented with the right approach. Below, we’re discussing social media bullying, its effects, and how you can address it if it’s occurring in your life.

What is bullying?

Bullying is a behavior in which one person intentionally and repeatedly causes another harm or pain (including emotional pain). The intimidating or cruel person can be anyone, not just a stereotype of a tough playground bully hurting a small, weak child, for example. Typically, the target of bullying behavior has not done anything to “cause” the attacks. They may have difficulty knowing how to defend themselves.

According to the American Psychological Association,  bullying is behavior in which one person “intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort”. Bullying can be verbal, physical, emotional, or virtual, and it can take place in a variety of contexts. Both online and in-person bullying can have lasting negative effects on the person who is bullied.

What is social media bullying?

Social media bullying, a form of cyberbullying, takes place digitally through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok. Social media bullying can include sending someone threatening messages, spreading false information about them, giving their personal details without consent, and a variety of other actions.

Social media bullying—and cyberbullying more broadly—is a pervasive concern. According to surveys by Pew Research Center, 59% of teens and 41% of adults have experienced online harassment at some point.

Social media bullying often takes the form of threatening, demeaning, or harassing comments. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Tik Tok allow users to communicate with one another in a variety of ways, whether through direct messages, comments, or posts. While this can encourage further connection and the exchange of ideas, it can also engender bullying. Some users may spread false information through posts, repeatedly message an individual against their will, or make threatening comments. 

Some people bully others by posting pictures on social media platforms that are meant to embarrass or demean another person. Others post personal details about an individual online without consent. Doxing —using the internet to reveal sensitive information about someone—is a common form of social media bullying. The internet can also be used to stalk others.

Social media bullying can be harder to recognize or track than other forms of harassment. Users can set up fake accounts, allowing them to bully others namelessly. It can also be a more persistent form of bullying. Because people can get internet from almost anywhere now, and social media sites are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, people who are being bullied may have a hard time getting away from this behavior. 

What are the effects of social media bullying?

Social media bullying can impact people in the same ways that other forms of bullying do while also prompting unique challenges. Children who are bullied are more likely to experience mental and physical health concerns , including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, changes in eating patterns, feelings of sadness, loneliness, isolation, and a loss of interest in things they used to enjoy. Cyberbullying is also associated with an increased risk of suicide in young people. Children and adolescents who have experienced bullying are more likely to have lower grades and drop out of school.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7. If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

When perpetrated against adults, cyberbullying can lead to challenges with an individual’s career, social life, and mental health. Social media bullying may also involve blackmail or fraud, which can lead to financial duress.  Cyberbullying has been linked to higher levels of anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and decreases in work performance. Additionally, there is a connection between growing social media use and an increase in real-life stalking .

What to do if you experience social media bullying

To limit the above-mentioned effects social media bullying, it can help to be aware of strategies for addressing online harassment. If you’ve experienced this form of cyberbullying, there are several steps you can take to navigate the situation. 

Avoid responding

By not replying to bullying behavior, you might take some of the power from the aggressor and limit future interactions with them. Alternatively, engaging with the individual who is bullying you may exacerbate the situation and lead to further harassment. Instead, consider following the below steps, which can provide you with recourse and make it easier for you to avoid contact with that user.  

Block the user 

Most social media platforms allow you to block accounts. This typically prevents the individual from looking your profile, messaging you, or commenting on your posts. If someone makes hurtful or threatening comments directed at you or engages in other bullying behavior, blocking them may defend you from further harassment. Though it can differ depending on the platform, you can usually block a user through settings located on their profile; and it can often be done without the individual knowing that you’re blocking them. 

Report the behavior 

Reporting online harassment is a way for you to defend yourself and others from bullying. Most social media platforms have channels for reporting harmful behavior. StopBullying.gov has a list of links for reporting harassment to various social media platforms. 

If the bullying is being perpetrated by a fellow student or co-worker, you can also report the behavior to your school or place of work. There may be policies in place to help end the harassment. Additionally, many states have laws regarding cyberbullying . Understanding the rules that apply in your area can help you better respond to bullying. 

Reach out for help

Support from others—such as family, peers, and licensed mental health professionals—is often crucial in efforts to build resilience following bullying. Talking about bullying and asking for help can be challenging, though. Many who are survivors of bullying may feel intimated or embarrassed to discuss their experience. But it can be healthy and productive to acknowledge the way you’re feeling and talk to someone who can support you, such as a parent, a school counselor, a trusted teacher, or a friend. Additionally, consider seeking out support groups, either in person or online, where you can connect with others who have survived cyberbullying. 

What to do if your child is being bullied online

If your child is experiencing social media bullying, taking steps to address the situation can be important for their emotional health and safety. One of the most constructive steps you can take is to keep records of the bullying that has taken place. Screenshots, messages, pictures, or other indications that your child is being bullied can be used when you report the behavior. 

Talking with and listening to your child is important during this time. Try to learn as much as possible about what happened and how it’s affecting your child. Acknowledging the seriousness of what they’re experiencing can ensure they feel heard, while letting them know you’re available to talk anytime can provide them with emotional support. 

If the aggressor is a classmate, working with the school’s administration can be another important step toward a resolution. You can also contact the social media platform through which the bullying occurred. Cyberbullying typically violates the terms of service of social media platforms. As mentioned above, contacting the platform can help the company take action, potentially leading to the individual being banned. 

You may also consider talking to a mental health professional. A licensed therapist can your child manage the potential mental health effects of bullying, such as anxiety, worry, low self-esteem, isolation, and depression. They can also help your child learn helpful coping strategies and positive social skills as they move forward after a bullying incident.

Certain popular forums are more likely to be frequented by people who engage in social media bullying. To keep your child away from these sites, consider putting parental controls on their devices. 

Addressing the effects of bullying with online therapy

Research suggests that online therapy can help individuals cope with the potential negative impacts of social media bullying and similar forms of harassment. In a study published in the journal Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, researchers found that online therapy improved trauma-related symptoms in participants who had experienced bullying. The study also noted the ability of online therapy to help individuals reframe negative thoughts about bullying. 

Online therapy can be a useful resource for recovering from bullying, building self-esteem, and learning ways to engage in positive, helpful thought patterns and behaviors. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp , you can participate in sessions remotely, which can be helpful if you’re not comfortable discussing potentially sensitive topics, like cyberbullying, in person. BetterHelp works with a team of therapists with diverse specialties and areas of expertise, so you’ll have a good chance of connecting with someone who knows how to address your specific concerns regarding bullying, trauma, or similar challenges. 

Social media bullying is a pervasive and harmful concern in modern society, affecting people of all ages and leading to serious impacts. By reporting harassment, helping spread awareness, and reaching out for help, you can help address this issue—both in your life and the lives of others. If you’re struggling with the effects of bullying, trauma, or similar concerns, consider getting matched with a licensed therapist online . With the right help, you can address social media bullying, limit its effects in your life, and continue caring for your mental and emotional well-being.    

What are the social effects of cyberbullying *?

Cyberbullying online can have a variety of social effects. Even in a safe environment, people who have been cyberbullied may not feel safe to express their emotions or discuss their experiences with others (like a school staff member or a loved one). This may lead them to feel isolated or become more socially withdrawn. 

Experiencing bullying may also be a risk factor for bullying others. In a study published in 2018, researchers tracked 2,844 students from fourth grade to eighth grade to look at the relationship between being bullied and engaging in bullying behaviors. They found a “significant overlap” between those who bullied others and those who experienced bullying . 

What are cyberbullying and body shaming on social media?

Social media cyberbullying is the harassment, intimidation, or shaming of others on social media platforms. Some examples include:

• Sending someone derogatory messages
• Spreading lies about someone
• Impersonating someone
• Posting hurtful comments about someone
• Publishing someone’s information, such as their address, pictures, or screen shots of conversations

Body shaming is another form of social media cyberbullying. It involves criticizing or mocking someone for their physical features (like their hair, weight, height, or perceived attractiveness). 

What are the mental effects of cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is a personal experience that can impact different people differently. Its possible mental health effects may include:

• Depression 
• Substance use disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Feeling lonely or isolated
• Reduced self-esteem

Cyberbullying may also be a source of chronic stress, which can lead to symptoms like irritability and changes in eating and sleeping patterns. 

What are the effects of cyberbullying on the student's performance?

Cyberbullying has been found to have negative academic impacts on students. In 2015, researchers looked at two large-scale samples of U.S. middle school and high school students. They found that cyberbullying was a risk factor for being absent from school and getting poor grades . 

Does social media addiction cause cyber bullying?

According to research, social media addiction may make a person more likely to engage in cyberbullying. In a 2021 study, researchers surveyed 428 adolescents to look for relationships between cyberbullying behaviors and other factors, like gender, depression, anxiety, and addiction to social media. They found that high levels of social media addiction, and spending many hours online, were two risk factors for engaging in cyberbullying . 

How does social media cause body shaming?

Although social media may not directly cause body shaming, body shaming may be more common on social media. Exposure to altered photos and videos may cause people to develop unrealistic beauty standards. These factors may all lead to increased body shaming on social media. 

• Body Language—What Is It And Why Does It Matter? Medically reviewed by Paige Henry , LMSW, J.D.
• Five Examples Of Bullying: Where And Why It Can Happen Medically reviewed by Aaron Dutil , LMHC, LPC
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Cyberbullying: Everything You Need to Know

• Cyberbullying
• How to Respond

Cyberbullying is the act of intentionally and consistently mistreating or harassing someone through the use of electronic devices or other forms of electronic communication (like social media platforms).

Because cyberbullying mainly affects children and adolescents, many brush it off as a part of growing up. However, cyberbullying can have dire mental and emotional consequences if left unaddressed.

This article discusses cyberbullying, its adverse effects, and what can be done about it.

FangXiaNuo / Getty Images

Cyberbullying Statistics and State Laws

The rise of digital communication methods has paved the way for a new type of bullying to form, one that takes place outside of the schoolyard. Cyberbullying follows kids home, making it much more difficult to ignore or cope.

Statistics 

As many as 15% of young people between 12 and 18 have been cyberbullied at some point. However, over 25% of children between 13 and 15 were cyberbullied in one year alone.

About 6.2% of people admitted that they’ve engaged in cyberbullying at some point in the last year. The age at which a person is most likely to cyberbully one of their peers is 13.

Those subject to online bullying are twice as likely to self-harm or attempt suicide . The percentage is much higher in young people who identify as LGBTQ, at 56%.

Cyberbullying by Sex and Sexual Orientation

Cyberbullying statistics differ among various groups, including:

• Girls and boys reported similar numbers when asked if they have been cyberbullied, at 23.7% and 21.9%, respectively.
• LGBTQ adolescents report cyberbullying at higher rates, at 31.7%. Up to 56% of young people who identify as LGBTQ have experienced cyberbullying.
• Transgender teens were the most likely to be cyberbullied, at a significantly high rate of 35.4%.

State Laws 

The laws surrounding cyberbullying vary from state to state. However, all 50 states have developed and implemented specific policies or laws to protect children from being cyberbullied in and out of the classroom.

The laws were put into place so that students who are being cyberbullied at school can have access to support systems, and those who are being cyberbullied at home have a way to report the incidents.

Legal policies or programs developed to help stop cyberbullying include:

• Bullying prevention programs
• Cyberbullying education courses for teachers
• Procedures designed to investigate instances of cyberbullying
• Support systems for children who have been subject to cyberbullying 

Are There Federal Laws Against Cyberbullying?

There are no federal laws or policies that protect people from cyberbullying. However, federal involvement may occur if the bullying overlaps with harassment. Federal law will get involved if the bullying concerns a person’s race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, or religion.

Examples of Cyberbullying 

There are several types of bullying that can occur online, and they all look different.

Harassment can include comments, text messages, or threatening emails designed to make the cyberbullied person feel scared, embarrassed, or ashamed of themselves.

Other forms of harassment include:

• Using group chats as a way to gang up on one person
• Making derogatory comments about a person based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or other characteristics
• Posting mean or untrue things on social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, as a way to publicly hurt the person experiencing the cyberbullying  

Impersonation

A person may try to pretend to be the person they are cyberbullying to attempt to embarrass, shame, or hurt them publicly. Some examples of this include:

• Hacking into someone’s online profile and changing any part of it, whether it be a photo or their "About Me" portion, to something that is either harmful or inappropriate
• Catfishing, which is when a person creates a fake persona to trick someone into a relationship with them as a joke or for their own personal gain
• Making a fake profile using the screen name of their target to post inappropriate or rude remarks on other people’s pages

Other Examples

Not all forms of cyberbullying are the same, and cyberbullies use other tactics to ensure that their target feels as bad as possible. Some tactics include:

• Taking nude or otherwise degrading photos of a person without their consent
• Sharing or posting nude pictures with a wide audience to embarrass the person they are cyberbullying
• Sharing personal information about a person on a public website that could cause them to feel unsafe
• Physically bullying someone in school and getting someone else to record it so that it can be watched and passed around later
• Circulating rumors about a person

How to Know When a Joke Turns Into Cyberbullying

People may often try to downplay cyberbullying by saying it was just a joke. However, any incident that continues to make a person feel shame, hurt, or blatantly disrespected is not a joke and should be addressed. People who engage in cyberbullying tactics know that they’ve crossed these boundaries, from being playful to being harmful.

Effects and Consequences of Cyberbullying 

Research shows many negative effects of cyberbullying, some of which can lead to severe mental health issues. Cyberbullied people are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts, actions, or behaviors and engage in self-harm as those who are not.

Other negative health consequences of cyberbullying are:

• Stomach pain and digestive issues
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulties with academics
• Violent behaviors
• High levels of stress
• Inability to feel safe
• Feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness

If You’ve Been Cyberbullied 

Being on the receiving end of cyberbullying is hard to cope with. It can feel like you have nowhere to turn and no escape. However, some things can be done to help overcome cyberbullying experiences.

Advice for Preteens and Teenagers

The best thing you can do if you’re being cyberbullied is tell an adult you trust. It may be challenging to start the conversation because you may feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, if it is not addressed, it can get worse.

Other ways you can cope with cyberbullying include:

• Walk away : Walking away online involves ignoring the bullies, stepping back from your computer or phone, and finding something you enjoy doing to distract yourself from the bullying.
• Don’t retaliate : You may want to defend yourself at the time. But engaging with the bullies can make matters worse.
• Keep evidence : Save all copies of the cyberbullying, whether it be posts, texts, or emails, and keep them if the bullying escalates and you need to report them.
• Report : Social media sites take harassment seriously, and reporting them to site administrators may block the bully from using the site.
• Block : You can block your bully from contacting you on social media platforms and through text messages.

In some cases, therapy may be a good option to help cope with the aftermath of cyberbullying.

Advice for Parents

As a parent, watching your child experience cyberbullying can be difficult. To help in the right ways, you can:

• Offer support and comfort : Listening to your child explain what's happening can be helpful. If you've experienced bullying as a child, sharing that experience may provide some perspective on how it can be overcome and that the feelings don't last forever.
• Make sure they know they are not at fault : Whatever the bully uses to target your child can make them feel like something is wrong with them. Offer praise to your child for speaking up and reassure them that it's not their fault.
• Contact the school : Schools have policies to protect children from bullying, but to help, you have to inform school officials.
• Keep records : Ask your child for all the records of the bullying and keep a copy for yourself. This evidence will be helpful to have if the bullying escalates and further action needs to be taken.
• Try to get them help : In many cases, cyberbullying can lead to mental stress and sometimes mental health disorders. Getting your child a therapist gives them a safe place to work through their experience.

In the Workplace 

Although cyberbullying more often affects children and adolescents, it can also happen to adults in the workplace. If you are dealing with cyberbullying at your workplace, you can:

• Let your bully know how what they said affected you and that you expect it to stop.
• Keep copies of any harassment that goes on in the workplace.
• Report your cyberbully to your human resources (HR) department.
• Report your cyberbully to law enforcement if you are being threatened.
• Close off all personal communication pathways with your cyberbully.
• Maintain a professional attitude at work regardless of what is being said or done.
• Seek out support through friends, family, or professional help.

Effective Action Against Cyberbullying

If cyberbullying continues, actions will have to be taken to get it to stop, such as:

• Talking to a school official : Talking to someone at school may be difficult, but once you do, you may be grateful that you have some support. Schools have policies to address cyberbullying.
• Confide in parents or trusted friends : Discuss your experience with your parents or others you trust. Having support on your side will make you feel less alone.
• Report it on social media : Social media sites have strict rules on the types of interactions and content sharing allowed. Report your aggressor to the site to get them banned and eliminate their ability to contact you.
• Block the bully : Phones, computers, and social media platforms contain options to block correspondence from others. Use these blocking tools to help free yourself from cyberbullying.

Help Is Available

If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial  988  to contact the  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  and connect with a trained counselor. To find mental health resources in your area, contact the  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline  at  800-662-4357  for information.

Cyberbullying occurs over electronic communication methods like cell phones, computers, social media, and other online platforms. While anyone can be subject to cyberbullying, it is most likely to occur between the ages of 12 and 18.

Cyberbullying can be severe and lead to serious health issues, such as new or worsened mental health disorders, sleep issues, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm. There are laws to prevent cyberbullying, so it's essential to report it when it happens. Coping strategies include stepping away from electronics, blocking bullies, and getting.

Alhajji M, Bass S, Dai T. Cyberbullying, mental health, and violence in adolescents and associations with sex and race: data from the 2015 youth risk behavior survey . Glob Pediatr Health. 2019;6:2333794X19868887. doi:10.1177/2333794X19868887

Cyberbullying Research Center. Cyberbullying in 2021 by age, gender, sexual orientation, and race .

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: StopBullying.gov. Facts about bullying .

John A, Glendenning AC, Marchant A, et al. Self-harm, suicidal behaviours, and cyberbullying in children and young people: systematic review .  J Med Internet Res . 2018;20(4):e129. doi:10.2196/jmir.9044

Cyberbullying Research Center. Bullying, cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students .

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: StopBullying.gov. Laws, policies, and regulations .

Wolke D, Lee K, Guy A. Cyberbullying: a storm in a teacup? . Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;26(8):899-908. doi:10.1007/s00787-017-0954-6

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: StopBullying.gov. Cyberbullying tactics .

Garett R, Lord LR, Young SD. Associations between social media and cyberbullying: a review of the literature . mHealth . 2016;2:46-46. doi:10.21037/mhealth.2016.12.01

Nemours Teens Health. Cyberbullying .

Nixon CL. Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health . Adolesc Health Med Ther. 2014;5:143-58. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S36456

Nemours Kids Health. Cyberbullying (for parents) .

By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space.

• (206) 741-4862

How to Prevent Cyberbullying

While it is impossible to stop every instance of cyberbullying from happening, there are certain things parents can do to help prevent cyberbullying from happening to their kids on social media. These may include making your teen aware of cyberbullying, keeping open lines of communication about what they do on social media, and getting to know the popular apps and how to use them.

• Content last updated on: 
• February 26, 2024

Written and edited by our team of expert legal content writers and reviewed and approved by

Attorney Matthew Bergman

What You’ll Learn

What is cyberbullying.

• How Serious is cyberbullying

How can parents help protect their teens from cyberbullying?

How can you help your teen if cyberbullying is already happening.

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online or via digital devices. This form of technology-based bullying can happen through text messages, on social media platforms, within gaming communities using live chats, and via other forums, message boards, instant or direct messaging, email, or applications used to communicate by digital means. It is often persistent, permanent, and not easily detected.

Typically, a cyberbully engages in behaviors intended to embarrass, humiliate, intimidate, or otherwise harm another person. These harmful actions might include sending, posting, or sharing negative, false, sensitive, or private information about someone else.

Often, people mistake cyberbullying as being anonymous, “joking,” or having no repercussions. Not only is cyberbullying emotionally scarring to its targets, but it can sometimes have legal consequences, with some actions considered criminal offenses in certain states.

How serious is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying isn’t harmless. Teens suffering from the effects of cyberbullying might experience:

• Feelings of sadness, loneliness , hopelessness, and powerlessness
• Higher rates of depression or feelings of worthlessness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Physical complaints, health concerns, or psychosomatic symptoms, including headache, stomachache, poor appetite, and skin problems
• At least one symptom of stress, reported by 32% of cyberbullying targets in one study
• Emotional distress, per findings from the Second Youth Internet Safety Survey indicating 38% of teen victims were extremely upset by online harassment
• Disruptions in relationships, fewer friendships, and problems with peers
• Reduced school attachment, academic problems, and disciplinary issues
• Loss of trust in others
• Increased social anxiety
• Lower self-esteem
• Increased risk of developing an eating disorder

Higher likelihood of thinking about or attempting suicide compared to their peers not involved in cyberbullying (this effect of cyberbullying extends to both victims and perpetrators, with targets being almost twice as likely to attempt suicide and perpetrators being 1.5 times more likely)

Due to the accessibility and pervasiveness of the Internet, it’s not always possible to prevent every instance of cyberbullying, especially among youth populations. However, parents and other adults can take steps to become more aware of what it is, how it affects children and teens, how to detect it, and how to respond effectively when it’s happening.

Knowing what children are doing online and how they’re vulnerable, plus, educating them on how to handle cyberbullying situations when they occur, are all great ways you can help protect your teens and prevent or at least mitigate the effects of cyberbullying .

Keep Open Lines of Communication with Your Child

The more your child trusts you, the more likely they are to open up to you when they’re having a problem. Unfortunately, many teens don’t speak up because they’re afraid of how their parents might respond, they’re ashamed or embarrassed, or they think they can handle it on their own.

Engaging in effective and meaningful conversations with your teenager often, not just about cyberbullying, is important to foster an open line of communication. By doing so, you let them know that you can be a valuable resource and ally to them when problems or conflicts arise. 

Make Your Teen Aware of What Cyberbullying Is

It’s important to be transparent and straightforward with your teenager about the dangers of social media and the Internet. Kids won’t always know what cyberbullying is until they’re in the thick of it, so it’s best to provide them with real-life examples that can happen on digital devices and networking channels they’re already using.

It’s important for your child to understand that even seemingly joking or light-hearted comments can be hurtful to those being targeted. Let them know that all types of cyberbullying are unacceptable whether they’re on the giving or receiving end, or even if they’re just watching it happen.

However, don’t use this opportunity to scold your child. Instead, allow your teen to ask questions and share in the conversation without fear of judgment. Doing so can help make you aware of where they still need guidance and if they’re currently having a problem. Additionally, being direct yet compassionate with your child and providing them with a safe space to speak openly with you is an excellent way to bolster trust.

Equip Your Teen to Respond Appropriately

Teach your child how to respond (or how not to respond) when they notice the warning signs of cyberbullying . Having a plan in place and the appropriate tools or resources to carry out that plan can give your teen the confidence they need to handle cyberbullying incidents effectively and productively.

Responding incorrectly could potentially increase the frequency or severity of the cyberbullying. Also, “seeking revenge” can lead to your child becoming a cyberbully. So, it’s important to have a strategy in place to end the cyberbullying or report it when necessary. 

Know the Popular Apps and Platforms

It’s important to know what’s trending in the online realm. Being aware of the sites and applications your child is likely to access and understanding how they work and what they’re used for, can help you better assess your child’s potential risk of cyberbullying and accompanying dangers.

Popular apps and social media platforms change over time, and teens quickly become aware of new ways to use them and, also, misuse them, making it important for parents to stay up to date on the evolution of the digital world to help protect their children. 

Monitor What Your Child is Doing Online

In line with the above, you need to know what your child is doing online. “Spying” on your child’s phone or computer might seem like a breach of privacy, but there are ways to go about monitoring your child’s or teen’s online or digital activity while still allowing them some autonomy.

First, establish ground rules for social media and phone use. Set time limits and discuss appropriate and inappropriate online behaviors. Allow your child to pursue the positive benefits of technology, but make them aware of the dangers, too. Knowing what apps and platforms they’re accessing and who their online friends are, or who they’re talking to, and how they’re using these digital or online channels can help alert you to potential problems.

If your child or teen fails to follow your initial ground rules, you can install parental controls on their personal laptops to prevent them from accessing certain sites. There are apps available on both iPhones and Androids to help monitor when new apps are uploaded, and purchases are made. Additionally, these apps enable you to view your child’s text messages and online activity and, in extreme situations, block their phone remotely if they’re engaging in questionable behaviors.

Finally, it might be necessary to sign off line for a bit until your child can handle the responsibility of social media, text messaging, and Internet access. You have to do what’s right for you, your family, and your child’s safety and well-being. 

Empower Your Teen to Use Social Media Responsibly

As parents, it’s important to acknowledge the significant roles of social media and the Internet in your children’s lives. Social media and online networking aren’t going away. In fact, new apps and new ways to communicate, using words, hashtags, emojis, pictures, video, voice, and other media, are consistently being developed. This digital realm we’re living in is only going to continue to grow.

With the amount of information circulating and the level of access to anyone at any time, it’s easy to want to protect your child or teen by restricting access altogether or monitoring their actions too closely. Another approach that might be helpful is to teach your tweens and teens the necessary skills to safely and responsibly navigate the online world. While you can’t always protect them from others’ actions, it is entirely possible to guide them on cautious and beneficial social media use so that they can independently establish their online voice and formulate their identities in their own space.

Information published by Pew Research Center in 2018, regarding teens’ experience on social media , showed that overall teens believe social media is important to strengthen their friendships and promote positive feelings. However, 45% of teens stated feeling overwhelmed by drama encountered on social media (with unfriending or unfollowing being the popular way to handle it), and 26% said accessing these sites made them feel worse about themselves and their lives.

Positive aspects of social media use include feeling involved, establishing confidence, promoting authenticity, and feeling engaged or connected, with a minority of teens instead feeling excluded, insecure, fake, and reserved. So, how can you help empower your teen to access the positive benefits of social media?

Refer to the following tips when educating your child about using social media responsibly :

• Think about what’s being posted. There’s a   formula you can refer to when starting a conversation with your teen about what messages or images they’re portraying online:

• Use security settings to keep personal information private.  Along those lines, advise your teen to never share their address, phone number, or other identifying information. Also, coach them on keeping photos and messaging appropriate, and never sharing anything that they wouldn’t want you, their teachers, grandma, a future employer, or others to see. There’s no trust factor when disseminating sensitive photos and information digitally or online. Sharing inappropriate material makes them vulnerable to permanent harm.
• Take breaks as needed.  Encourage your teen to make their time spent online meaningful rather than mindless. Doing so will help limit the amount of wasted time scrolling or engaging in non-productive or harmful activities.
• Do not react.  Remind your teen that everything they post online becomes permanent, even if it’s later deleted. For this reason, they should never post when they’re experiencing negative emotions. If they’re upset, they should talk about their feelings in person with a parent, counselor, or therapist, close friend, or another trusted adult. Doing so can help them gain valuable insight and a more positive perspective to address their problem or emotions constructively rather than destructively.
• Be aware of the dangers and have a plan.   Help guide your child on appropriate and inappropriate online behaviors so that they’ll recognize wrong behaviors when they’re happening. Have a plan in place so that your child knows what’s expected of them when handling the situation.  
• Be a role model for your teen.  Teach them appropriate social media use through your own actions. If you want them to set limits, you need to be mindful of how often you’re signing online, too. Additionally, show them examples of meaningful and productive posts by referring to your own social media profiles. Children often model their behaviors after what they observe. Make sure you’re providing them with a positive and beneficial view of social media and digital use.
• Create a “contract” for social media and cell phone use.  Have your child agree to your ground rules in writing. In exchange, you can agree to provide them with some online autonomy without embarrassment and with some independence to resolve their own digital problems. Both of you can sign the agreement and adhere to its terms. Have the consequences clearly outlined so that they know what will happen if they violate the agreement, such as increased parental controls or only using their digital devices in shared spaces within the home.

If cyberbullying is already happening, your teen should not engage with the bully. Instead, they need to start by blocking them. If they receive threats to their safety or well-being or are in immediate physical danger, you must call 911 so that law enforcement can get involved and take any necessary actions to protect your child.

If you are not in need of help from law enforcement, you can also  report cyberbullying  to online social networking providers or school administrators. If your teen’s mental health is declining or they’re having suicidal thoughts due to the online bullying, contact the National Suicide Lifeline right away at 1-800-273-8255 or access their online chat for help.

Finally, for more information about cyberbullying and its link to teen depression and suicide, contact the Social Media Victims Law Center .

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We only handle cases on a contingent fee basis. This means that we are paid a portion of any recovery obtained in the case and you do not owe us any attorneys’ fees if the lawsuit does not result in a recovery.

Every case is unique. Our attorneys will work with your family to evaluate your potential case and help you evaluate whether filing a lawsuit or other legal proceeding is in your family’s best interest. Generally speaking, the types of cases we handle involve serious mental health effects, including attempted or completed suicide, eating disorders, inpatient mental health treatment, or sexual trafficking/exploitation that was caused by or contributed to through addictive or problematic social media use by teens and young adults.

We are a law firm based near Seattle, WA comprised of lawyers who have spent their entire careers representing victims who have been harmed by dangerous products. We are also parents. Shocked and troubled by the recent revelations about the harm caused to teens and young adults by social media platforms, which powerful technology companies have designed to be highly addictive, Social Media Victims Law Center was launched specifically to help families and children who have suffered serious mental harm or exploitation through social media use to obtain justice.

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Associations between social media and cyberbullying: a review of the literature

Renee garett.

1 ElevateU, Los Angeles, CA, USA;

Lynwood R. Lord

2 University of California Institute for Prediction Technology, Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Sean D. Young

Cyberbullying is a significant public health concern that can lead to increased risk of mental health issues, including psychological and developmental problems or suicide. However, because cyberbullying is a relatively recent phenomenon, there is a lack of agreement among researchers about the definition and prevalence of cyberbullying as well as methods for measuring its prevalence. In this review, we evaluate papers published between January 2013 to August 2015 that explored cyberbullying through the medium of social media. The aims of the study are to (I) clarify the characteristics of people involved in cyberbullying, and (II) identify the types of instruments used to measure cyberbullying on social media. In particular, we attempt to understand the factors underlying abuser behavior, how abusive behavior affects the well-being of victims, and how bystanders mitigate or contribute to the act of cyberbullying.

Introduction

Social media has had a profound effect on how young people interact with their peers.

The use of social networking sites has increased tremendously over the past decade, with an estimated 80% of U.S. teenagers now using some form of social media ( 1 , 2 ). Social media websites offer an increasingly broad set of functionality and are characterized by user-generated content and a collective communication style ( 3 ). Unlike traditional websites, social media allows selective sharing of information and content based on settings the user chooses on his or her account. This ability to share has given young people unprecedented access to private information and a readily available platform to leverage that information against others.

Cyberbullying, a growing problem associated with social media use, has become a significant public health concern that can lead to mental and behavioral health issues and an increased risk of suicide. Cyberbullying has been associated with face-to-face confrontations, concern about going to school, and physical altercations ( 4 ). In the United States, a majority of students aged 12 to 18 reported that they were cyberbullied at least twice during the past year ( 5 ). Children who are bullied are more likely to experience symptoms of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, changes in sleep and eating habits, increased feelings of loneliness, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy ( 6 ). Moreover, traditional bullying and cyberbullying victims report self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation, and exhibit suicidal behaviors at similar levels ( 7 ).

Although the field of research on cyberbullying is relatively new, several cyberbullying literature reviews have been published. These reviews have focused on the consequences of cyberbullying ( 8 ), defining cyberbullying, and reporting its prevalence ( 9 - 11 ). Additionally, other reviews have focused on more narrow topics such as the relationship between cyberbullying and schools ( 12 ), the impact of cyberbullying on adolescents ( 13 ), and influencing school policy ( 14 ). One study, by Berne and colleagues, concentrates solely on the instruments used by researchers to measure cyberbullying ( 15 ).

In this review, we focus on papers that explore the relationship between cyberbullying and social media, with an emphasis on articles that discuss how cyberbullying affects the well-being of young people. The specific aims of the study are (I) to explore the characteristics of people involved in cyberbullying, and (II) to clarify what measurement instruments will lead to consistent, evidence-based evaluations of cyberbullying on social media. In particular, we attempt to understand the factors underlying abuser behavior, the mental health characteristics of victims, and how bystanders mitigate or contribute to the act of cyberbullying.

A systematic search of PubMed and PsycINFO was conducted to identify relevant papers. For each search, the term “cyberbullying” was used as the main search term and one of the following terms was included: social media, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter. In total, we identified 307 papers, with 98 papers appearing in PubMed and 209 listed in PsycINFO ( Figure 1 ).

Flowchart of articles evaluated for the literature review.

There is still some debate about how to define cyberbullying. However, researchers have agreed on a working definition that includes four criteria: (I) the sender must intend to harm the receiver; (II) there is a power imbalance between the sender and receiver (e.g., age, social status, anonymity, physical strength); (III) acts of aggression are usually repeated; and (IV) a personal computer, mobile phone, or other electronic device is used to communicate. For the purposes of this review, this definition was used to parse the search results.

The following inclusion criteria were used to select papers:

• Published in a peer-reviewed journal between January 2013 to August 2015;
• Available in electronic form;
• The acting definition of cyberbullying matched the definition presented above;
• The research design included a social media platform (e.g., Twitter, Facebook);
• An empirical study and original dataset was used (i.e., not a literature review).

Using these guidelines eliminated papers that discussed similar concepts to cyberbullying, such as flaming or harassment. The search results returned numerous papers that discussed traditional bullying but not cyberbullying. Furthermore, many papers evaluated cyberbullying, but did not explore the relationship between cyberbullying and social media; these papers were eliminated from the analysis.

Our initial evaluation of 307 papers resulted in 73 papers being selected for in-depth review. The in-depth review focused on criteria points 3 to 5 above to ensure that each paper detailed an independent empirical study of cyberbullying and its relationship to social media. The in-depth review was completed by a team of two reviewers who worked independently, and a third reviewer made the final selection of papers to retain for the analysis ( Figure 1 ).

Data analysis

Data extracted from the papers comprised the following categories: (I) author(s) and year of publication; (II) sample characteristics (sample size, % female, school level, and country); (III) study characteristics (social media platform used for cyberbullying, subpopulation studied, and purpose/objective of paper); (IV) factors significantly related to cyberbullying for the population researched (bullies, victims, bystanders); and (V) cyberbullying definition and frequency (i.e., instrument used to measure cyberbullying and the reported frequency of bullying/cyberbullying).

First, we categorized studies according to the instrument used to measure cyberbullying. The breakdown of instruments was similar to that reported by Berne and colleagues ( 15 ), but was not as extensive. Second, we created a list of the various factors mentioned in each text to explain cyberbullying and to characterize subjects in the study. The papers focused on three subpopulations: victims, bullies, and bystanders. The researchers ran a regression model or conducted a correlation analysis in order to estimate the relationship between cyberbullying and numerous different factors. In these regression models/correlation matrices, a measure of cyberbullying was used as an independent or dependent variable. The factors or variables of interest in the models served as characteristics of the three different subpopulations. If a factor was found to be statistically significant or highly correlated with a measure of cyberbullying, it was added to a list of factors that explain cyberbullying (with respect to each subpopulation).

There was a steady increase in the number of cyberbullying studies published during the 3-year review period: 1 each in 2013 and 2014 (4.5%, respectively), 7 in 2014 (31.8%), and 11 in 2015 (50%). Appendix A summarizes the 22 papers that were reviewed.

There was a general consensus that cyberbullying only affects youths. Of the 22 papers, 14 (63.6%) used a sample consisting of middle school/high school students, 9 (40.9%) included university students, and 3 (13.6%) included primary school students. This youth-oriented focus resulted in 20 (90.9%) of studies being sampled by the school level. The average sample consisted of seven schools, with 7 (31.8%) studies sampling from a single school; 5 (22.7%) studies failed to report the number of schools. Similarly, 6 (27.2%) studies used a non-random convenience sample and 12 (54.5%) studies used some type of randomization. Overall, the average sample size was 129.9 (54.2% female) and the majority of studies did not collect data longitudinally (n=20; 90.9% of the studies consisted of a one-time data collection event).

The most commonly cited social media platforms were Facebook (n=10, 45.4%) and MySpace (n=3, 13.6%). Four other platforms were mentioned, but they were infrequently cited: instant messaging was mentioned twice (9.1%) and Twitter, Instagram, and chat rooms each received one mention (4.6%).

Instruments

The most prevalent instruments used to measure cyberbullying were multi-question surveys (45.4%) followed by direct questions (27.3%) ( Table 1 ). The multi-question surveys ranged from 9 to 32 questions in length. Both the multi-survey instruments and the “direct question to subject” instruments asked subjects to recall a period of time ranging from the previous week to the previous year. Of the 10 studies that used multi-question instruments, 9 used instruments featured in previous studies.

*, of the 10 papers, 9 (40.9%) used survey tools that were established in previous research papers; † , time periods ranged from the previous week to the previous year.

To identify the characteristics of individuals involved in cyberbullying, we began by classifying studies according to subpopulation. Studies most frequently researched cyberbullying victims (n=15, 68.2%) or bullies (n=11, 50%), and a smaller number evaluated bystanders (n=7, 31.9%). Ten (45.4%) studies examined both victims and bullies, 5 (22.7%) studies looked at victims alone, and 1 (4.5%) study looked at bullies alone.

As noted above, all multi-question and direct-question instruments asked subjects to recall a specific period of time. For instance, “In the previous year, how many times were you cyberbullied?” Of 13 studies that reported on the prevalence of cyberbullying within their sample, 12 reported timeframes ranging from 1 month to 1 year. These 12 papers used the criteria of being “cyberbullied at least once” during that timeframe as their definition of having experienced cyberbullying ( Table 2 ). When a subject provided a smaller timeframe or was asked about more frequent bullying, the prevalence rate lowered. For example, Navarro and colleagues noted that only 2.9% of their subjects reported being cyberbullied multiple times per week (1.8% reported being bullied multiple times a week) ( 16 ).

This table reports the average levels of bullying/cyberbullying seen in the literature. Four (17%) papers failed to report any values and 5 (21%) papers did not research victim/bully subpopulations.

The findings in each paper were analyzed to create a list of characteristics for the cyberbullying subpopulations. The majority of papers (n=15, 68.2%) modeled cyberbullying/conducted a correlation analysis of cyberbullying or proposed a model that used cyberbullying as an independent variable. Five other papers (22.7%) explored the motivations/perceptions of bystanders with respect to cyberbullying. Only those characteristics found to be statistically significant or highly correlated with cyberbullying were added to the list for each subpopulation. Characteristics of victims (n=21), cyberbullies (n=17), and bystanders (n=10) were compiled. A list of the most commonly cited characteristics was compiled for Table 3 .

We found that the most commonly used instruments are sophisticated surveys designed to measure multiple dimensions of cyberbullying. In many studies, researchers favored the use of tailored instruments for each subpopulation. The use of complex questionnaires reflects growing sophistication in the field, but it also indicates a lack of agreement on which instrument to use. Of the nine studies that used instruments from previously published work, the most frequently referenced source was from Olweus ( 17 ) in three studies. In our analysis, 18 of the 22 (81.8%) studies were published in 2014 or 2015, which reflects the burgeoning state of the field of social media research and cyberbullying.

We agree with the conclusion posited by Berne et al . ( 15 ) that the lack of consensus regarding cyberbullying instruments reflects the fact that there is little agreement as to the exact concept being researched (i.e., cyberbullying, electronic bullying, and/or Internet harassment). In counterpoint, this may be the reason why researchers use multiple-dimension surveys: the instruments are used to account for the complexity of cyberbullying/harassment over social media, with specific measures geared toward various aspects of well-being. Another method used to handle complexity was to simplify the concept of cyberbullying for the subjects. Six studies (27.3%) supplied a statement that defined cyberbullying and then asked a direct question based on that definition (e.g., “How many times were you cyberbullied in the last months?”). Two papers (9.1%) went so far as to narrow the working definition of cyberbullying to refer to negative comments and/or embarrassing photos (n=2, 9.1%).

When evaluating the characteristics of the subpopulations, we found that the literature has advanced beyond limited objectives that estimate the frequency of cyberbullying. While 13 studies (59.1%) did report this value, the majority of papers (68.2%) focused on modeling the relationship between cyberbullying and other independent variables. A common question in many papers was, why do some people become cyberbullies, victims, or bystanders?

Unfortunately, there was little agreement among the studies when it came to interpreting how to distinguish these three categories. The high degree of variability in the findings is reflected in the large number of significant characteristics (17 for bullies and 21 for victims) and the minimal overlap between the findings. The most common characteristics of a bully and victim were found in only 20% and 18% of studies, respectively. In fact, one of the more consistent findings was that the variables were found to be not significant. In at least 3 (27.2%) papers that focused on victims, variables such as age, gender, and ethnicity were found to not be significantly related to cyberbullying, which suggests that the field remains relatively open.

Furthermore, the papers we reviewed did not reveal why bullies and victims assumed their respective roles. We did note that certain characteristics were common among cyberbullies (e.g., being a victim of bullying themselves), and among victims, symptoms of depression were common. More details about these characteristics are listed in Table 3 .

Finding a solution to cyberbullying was an implicit objective of the studies evaluated for this review, yet there was a lack of consensus among papers concerned with bullies or victims. However, the work on bystanders provided several interesting insights. Of the five papers that focused solely on bystanders, four were experimental studies that introduced interventions designed to influence bystander behavior. Several solutions to engaging bystanders are suggested, with the most common being social support for or against a bully. Two papers found that if others publicly disagreed with a bully, then a bystander was more likely to also disagree and intervene in favor of the victim. However, if others publicly joined the bully, then a bystander was more likely to agree with the bully and intervene in favor of the bully.

Several papers attempted to estimate the relationship between cyberbullying and another concept that could be impacted by cyberbullying. For example, in Cénat et al . ( 18 ) and Bauman and Baldasare ( 19 ), cyberbullying was used as an independent variable in a model that measured psychological distress as the dependent variable. Navarro and colleagues ( 20 ) conducted a similar analysis, but instead looked at the relationship between cyberbullying and happiness at school.

One limitation of our study was that we may not have evaluated enough papers to make firm conclusions. Four keyword combination searches were used in order to obtain the final selection of papers, but the literature on social media-based cyberbullying is new and evolving nearly as quickly as the technology itself. This made it difficult to create the most effective keyword searches. An additional limitation is that the study did not use a meta-analysis methodology, which may have proven useful for determining factors associated with the three subpopulations.

Future research should aim to create a standardized set of instruments to evaluate cyberbullying. While some studies appear to have made an important impact and informed the general approach to cyberbullying (e.g., the work of Olweus ( 17 )], the large number of multi-question surveys suggests a need for accurate, reliable instruments. Only with consistent reporting of the incidence and features of cyberbullying will we be able to develop focused prevention strategies.

Future research should aim to advance the cyberbully modeling work outlined in this review, which can be done in three suggested directions. The first suggestion relates to the lack of reliable instruments. This lack of consistency could be indicative of instruments that are not measuring the same concept or are failing to measure significant indications of cyberbullying. Furthermore, there was a significant degree of variability in the nature of the questions posed by the study authors. For example, some researchers focused their questions on negative comments to postings ( 21 ), some focused on the media that was used ( 22 ), others focused on the number of cyberbullying incidents during a particular time period ( 23 ), and still others focused on the emotional impact of the interaction ( 24 , 25 ). This suggests the need for a standardized set of questions that focuses on content and disregards platform.

The second suggestion is to improve study design. Asking a sample of young people their experience with cyberbullying is a sensitive and deeply personal topic for many youth (80.9% of the papers surveyed youth who were high school level or lower). One indication of this problem is that the average non-reply/refuse-to-participate rate was 39% in one study, and as high as 91% in another study. Moreover, most studies required parental consent, which was often obtained via a letter brought home by the student or mailed to parents by school administrators. These refusal rates suggest that many samples in the literature underrepresent the number of children affected by cyberbullying. One worrisome indication of this lack of representation is that the majority of independent variables were found to be insignificant in several studies ( 20 , 23 ). However, it is possible that the students most likely to be cyberbullied are also the most likely to not participate in a cyberbullying study.

The third suggestion is that researchers should limit their objectives and focus on specific aspects of subpopulations. Many studies started with a broad concept of cyberbullying and then designed a model with a similarly broad array of independent variables. By increasing specificity, future research could supply more practical results.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Justin P. Smith for his assistance on the data analysis and a previous version of this manuscript. The authors wish to thank Claire Houlihan for her help conducting the literature review.

Funding: This work was funded by the National Institute on Mental Health and the University of California Office of the President Award to the University of California Institute for Prediction Technology.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Good Argumentative Essay About Ways To Prevent Social Media Bullying

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Sociology , Education , Crime , Bullying , Internet , Social Media , Media , Teenagers

Words: 2750

Published: 03/05/2020

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The use of social media has become a gift and a curse to the society. It has become a gift to the society because; it is an easy way of communication with people and friends around the globe. People communicate easily through messages and posting through social networks such as Twitter, Whatsapp, Facebook, MySpace, just to mention but a few (Baran, 2012). Most teens use the social media to communicate and use it others for fun. On the other hand, it has become a curse because, many people are suffering from social media bullying. Social networks have made it easier for many people, especially for teens to bully others, even without feeling any remorse. As the number of people are embracing the social media for easier communication, many others are using it to harm others, by carrying out attacks on them, and even stalking them every time. Bullying is an act of intentional physical or mental harassing, intimidating, and even insulting another person. Social media bullying, also known as cyber bullying is a deliberate act of harming another person repeatedly through information technology or the social media (Schmidt, 2013). It involves sending vulgar messages, posting sensitive information about someone, pretending to be someone else by using his/her accounts to hurt others, and posting nude pictures of someone. In addition, social media bullying involves creating fake accounts and web pages and using them to harass other people on social networks. The social media is a platform for communication, interaction, and socialization, and it is mostly web based. The advancement in technology, especially social networking has adverse effects on the society. Most teenagers are using these advances for the worse, particularly the social media for bullying their peers; and this has adverse effects because, some youth, even ends up committing suicide, due to social media bullying. Therefore, it is important to find effective ways to prevent social media bullying since if a better solution for this problem can be found, teens will be safe and confident, while using social networks since they are protected from social media bullying. In addition, by preventing social media bullying, the adverse effects caused by this problem will be forgotten in the society. Therefore, social media bullying is unacceptable, and everyone should play a part in preventing it. Cyber bullying is inhumane an efforts need to be made in order to end it completely. The growth of the social media has formed a social issue, called cyber bullying, which is affecting most social network users. The issue of social media bullying has become a worldwide problem that has caused many states to put regulations in place, which are aimed at minimizing the cyber bullying cases. Social media bullying happens everywhere, every day, every hour, minute and second. Most teens have taken social media as a lifestyle since it has become part and parcel of their teenage life. Therefore, most teenagers have become a target in social media bullying and something has to be done to stop this menace (Boyd, 2014). Social media bullying perpetrators are mostly teenagers, who harass and bully their peers, and they should be stopped before it becomes a worldwide scourge. This is because; teenagers are the largest consumers of the social media services, and this makes it easy for the perpetrators to select their victims, access their information, and torment them. Social media bullying is, as a result of, a number of factors. For instance, victims of social media bullying can be racially targeted by a particular group of people (Hinduja and Patchin, 2008). In addition, most victims who are bullied in the social media come from a minority group. Therefore, social media bullying has become a major problem and a threat to the youth in the world today, and until preventive measures are taken, it will continue to haunt most youths. In order to stop social media bullying, educational institutions ought to develop mechanisms aimed at preventing the growing trend. This can be done by putting in place strategies, which will enhance social media security, and this will help in preventing the crime in a significant way. In addition, educational institutions can deny their students access to social media networks while in the school setting, and this will help in prevent social media bullying in schools. This is because, according to Hinduja and Patchin, the school setting makes it easier for the victims to be selected, considering that many students love using social sites to communicate and post information about their life and activities they like (2009). In addition, in order to stop social media bullying, teachers should set out rules on how to use social networks, and consequences that follow if any students breaks the rules. Social media bullying is unacceptable, therefore, students found harassing and intimidating other in school over the social media should be suspended, or even expelled from school if they make it a habit. All schools should have a zero tolerance for bullying. Consequently, educational institutions can play a vital role in preventing social media bullying by setting harsh and strict rules, against those students who bully others on the social media. The most effective and simple way of preventing social media bullying is by monitoring what happens in the social media. Kowalski, Sue and Patricia assert that, monitoring social media sites is the best and effective way of preventing social media bullying (2012). Moreover, this will help in monitoring everything that is posted on social sites, and it will make it easy to track those bullying others on social media. In addition, by monitoring social sites, it will be easy to scare away the perpetrators, since they will be fully aware that they will be caught; thus they will avoid bullying others. Moreover, those who still plan to continue bullying others in the social media will be warned of the consequences of their actions through the monitoring system, and this will stop them from executing their plans. Likewise, parents can play a significant role in monitoring what their children do online, and what social sites they frequently visit. Through monitoring, it will be easier for them to recommend safe sites for their children. Parents can put passwords on computers, and before their children use them, they have to consult with their parents first and this will be easier to find out what social sites these teenagers visit. Furthermore, they will be able to discuss with their kids about social media bullying, and how they can avoid it. In addition, parents through monitoring what their children post on social networks, they will be able to help them not to bully others and not to post and share anything that could hurt or even embarrass others. Moreover, parents can teach their children to refuse to pass cyber bullying messages, and to tell their friends to stop social media bullying in addition to being nice to everyone on social sites. Therefore, the monitoring approach is the best way to prevent the social media bullying, since it will completely prevent the perpetrators from committing any social media crime. Likewise, it will enable parents to monitor what their children do on social networks and advise them not to bully others. In addition, the states should provide platforms whereby, the victims will be able to report these crimes. Laws and policies developed to stop cyber bullying have significantly minimized its occurrence probability since the perpetrators fear being reported. The victims will find a platform, whereby they will be able to seek help when abused, and this will prevent the many deaths being caused by social media bullying. Laws in the justice system should be used to prevent social media bullying, through the juvenile justice that can be used to prosecute the offenders. The legal prosecution of social media bullying offenders will significantly reduce the cyber bullying problem. According to Schmidt, cyber security laws have been developed in Wisconsin, and are aimed at minimizing cyber crimes in the social media (2013). The Wisconsin laws include the penalties for the offenders, and these laws have helped curb social media bullying cases in the United States. Therefore, in order to prevent social media bullying, the state should develop strict laws to govern social networks use, and this will help curb cyber crimes (Schmidt, 2013). Laws and penalties meted to offenders of cyber crimes will help curb social media bullying in the best way possible. Social media bullying can be prevented through launching educational campaigns on its effects. The sensitization of this problem should mostly target academic institutions that record the highest number of victims. Through these campaigns, the consequences of social media bullying will be spelt out, and this will help prevent the cyber bullying problem, as most of the perpetrators will fear committing these crimes. Educating the masses on social media bullying will help minimize cyber bullying cases in the social media. In addition, programs about the prevention of social media bullying should be incorporated in school curricula, and this will make online use safe for all people. Through these programs, many teens will be taught how to avoid potential social media bullies by blocking them, and even increasing security on their home and school computers. Moreover, the victims of cyber bullying will be taught how to cope with social media bullying, and how to combat future social media bullying crimes. According to Campbell (2005), most social media bullying crimes goes unreported, therefore, through these campaigns and school based programs; many teens who have been abused or harassed in the social media will know the protocol to follow in reporting these crimes. Another way to prevent cyber bullying is through making use of the private setting on every site. Most people who use the social media should make sure they go through the settings and keep most of their contents private, in order to block the cyber bullies from getting access to their personal profiles and pages. In most social sites, the pages can be adjusted to only the people one wants to be able to see the profiles and personal information. Boyd (2014), states that, blocking the social media bullying offenders is among the perfect ways of preventing cyber bullying. This can be done by going to the settings button on either a computer or phone and block all the unwanted contacts and profiles. In addition, social network users should make sure that their personal information remains personal, and this can be done by not revealing their personal information to the public. This will help curb cyber bullying because, the offenders will not know much about the social network user, thus will have no information to use against them or harass them. Social media bullying may lead to serious emotional distress to the victims. Victims of cyber bullying always have a low self esteem, emotional breakdowns, most of them are always frustrated, depressed and angry which might even lead to suicide. According to Hinduja and Patchin, suicide is a notable outcome of social media bullying in the United States (2008). Most teens who are bullied on social sites end up committing suicide because, they cannot stand the humiliation and intimidations their peers make them go through. A good example is the case of a 15 year old that dated a senior footballer, Phoebe Prince of South Hadley, Massachusetts, who ended up committing suicide after being bullied on the social media (CNN, 2010). Prince was referred to as a whore, on facebook and Twitter and because she could not stand these insults, she opted for suicide, therefore, social media bullying should be prevented in order to prevent such cases in the future. Furthermore, most of them will always shun away from friends because of the frustrations they receive from the social media. Most teens become frustrated and angry and this affects them psychologically. Cyber bullying should be completely eliminated in order to give the teens and youth who use the social media an ample time while using the internet. In addition, social media bullying can lead to poor grades for teens because of the depression they suffer after being bullied by their peers. Moreover, in some cases, the social media has been reported to cause eating disorders, and self-mutilation. Cyber bullying makes many teens hate themselves after being insulted by their peers, and they end up causing themselves bodily harm. Additionally, most teens will end up becoming drug addicts and even alcoholics in order to forget what their peers talk about them, or even the names they are called on social sites. Therefore, social media bullying is a serious problem that has to be addressed and proper prevention methods put in place in order to save the lives of our teenagers (Mooney, David and Caroline, 2009). Social media bullying can be very dangerous and needs to be addressed by everybody, since it not only happens to the teenagers, but also to the adults. Moreover, cyber bullying is serious problem that leaves most of the victims helpless, and if not addressed, it will lead to the death of many teens, since many of them commit suicide after the bullying incidents. Combating social media bullying is vital since in the modern world, technology is everything and it cannot be avoided at any cost. In conclusion, with the development of social networking technologies and the internet, social media bullying will become more common and severe. The social media bullying is a social problem, just like any other social problem, therefore, it should be prevented at all costs, just like other social problems are prevented. Technology is here to stay, and so its effects, therefore, it is vital to look for the most effective way to curb the social media bullying menace. The social media is being used to harm and intimidate others for their gratification. In addition, it leads to frustrations of many school going children and this affects their performance in school. Many teens are dying due to others intimidating and bullying them through the social media. Hence, it is important to stop this ill in order to avoid all of the above problems. Even though it is difficult to control the young people who use the social media, because of the fastest growing technology world, it is also easier to control how they use the internet and the social sites they visit on a daily basis. It is important to educate these teenagers on the use of social media, the dos and don’ts, and what is cyber bullying and how to avoid/ overcome it. Hence, it is important for every individual to realize the importance of the social media, and the disadvantages that come along with it, and help to prevent them. It is the duty of every parent to ensure that, their children are protected and are taking part in preventing the social media bullying menace. Social media bullying is a serious matter that should be taken seriously whether we like it or not. In addition, it has become one of the biggest topics of the 20th century, and it needs serious attention, and due to the much advancement in technology, people have to educate themselves in order to advance with the technology. Further research on social media bullying should be continued in order to come up with more effective methods to prevent this problem. If this is not done, there will be more reported cases of social media bullying and increasing numbers of teens being harassed and bullied while using social networks. The solution to prevent social media bullying is as simple as getting adults involved in this matter, and this will help shutdown the bullying, before even it starts. Social media bullying should be prevented at all cost for the reason that, it is unacceptable.

Campbell, M. A. (2005). “Cyber Bullying: An Old Problem in a New Guise?” Australian Journal of Guidance and Counseling 15(1), 68-76. "Phoebe Prince’s Suicide: Cause of death revealed". Today24News. July 23, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010. Baran, S. J. (2012). Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Schmidt, D. (2013). Cyber-bullying and General Bullying Laws in Wisconsin. Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Council. Hinduja, S. and Patchin, J. W. (2008). Cyber bullying: An Exploratory Analysis of Factors Related to Offending and Victimization. Deviant Behavior, 29(2), 129–156. Hinduja, S. and Patchin, J. W. (2009). Bullying beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyber bullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Boyd, D. (2014). It's Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Kowalski, R., Sue L. and Patricia W. (2012). Cyber bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Mooney, L., David. K and Caroline, S. (2009). Understanding Social Problems. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

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What Educators Need to know about Social Media, Online Bullying, and Hate Speech in Schools

• September 29, 2020

The Internet has revolutionized much of modern life, especially when it comes to education. There are benefits when students can learn and socialize in online spaces, but it comes with a dark side.

Nearly three out of five U.S. teens say they have been harassed or bullied online. And most youth say adults aren’t doing enough to stop it.[1] Hate speech has flourished online, with racist, sexist, homophobic, and other speech sometimes leading to real-world violence or harm.

When bullying or hate speech happens in person, on school grounds, taking disciplinary actions for the aggressors and knowing how to aid the victims can be obvious. when that harassment is online, taking the right actions feels murkier. October is Bullying Prevention Month , so here are some things to know about online bullying and hate speech.

What Is Online Bullying, and How Widespread Is It?

Online bullying, or cyberbullying, has many of the same characteristics as other types of bullying in schools, but it takes place over cell phones or the Internet. It can be channeled through social media posts, while gaming, through direct messages, and much more.[2]

Cyberbullying statistics show that 59% of teens have reported being the target of cyber bullying, with name-calling, spreading rumors, and receiving explicit images they didn’t ask for as some of the most prevalent abusive behaviors.[1]

Cyberbullying has unique characteristics that make it especially troubling. While real-world bullying at least has physical boundaries, cyberbullies can stalk students wherever they go, whether at home or at school. Because many students have 24/7 access to a smartphone, online bullies can follow them around, giving no sense of relief. The victim can’t just walk away. It also is more permanent and pervasive—posts or messages can spread like wildfire and remain online indefinitely. Cyberbullying is also easier to hide from teachers or parents, who aren’t privy to the online communications students share.[2]

While cyberbullying can happen outside the school grounds, it can also take place and affect children when they’re in school. Of students who said they were bullied at school during the school year, 15% were bullied online or by text.[3]

Some common types of cyberbullying go beyond name-calling, though that is the most common kind, with 42% of teens saying they’ve been called names online. About a third of teens said someone has spread false rumors about them online, 21% report online stalking, and 16% say they’ve been the target of physical threats.[1]

When Online Speech Becomes Hate Speech

Most people who’ve been online have seen content that pushes the line of acceptable behavior or good taste but is protected in the United States by the First Amendment. Things get trickier when the content could be considered hate speech, and school professionals may need to take action.

What is hate speech? There’s not a concrete definition, but it can be any form of expression (online or off) intended to “vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or class of people.” Hate speech is like bullying in that it’s marked by aggressive behavior toward another. It’s different in that it specifically targets someone or a group of people for their characteristics.[10]

Bullying that centers on things like race, national origin, immigration status, sexuality or gender identity, and more could all be classified as hate speech. In the online world, that “speech” can extend beyond words and include memes or videos. Sometimes it’s difficult to nail down whether something is hate speech, especially when the poster will use dog whistles (a derogatory term with enough plausible deniability) or innocuous language in their messages.[4]

Hate speech online has been linked to real-world acts of harm and violence. Researchers found that perpetrators of racist attacks like those in Charleston, South Carolina, or El Paso, Texas, and more have often been active in online spaces where hate speech and conspiracy theories flourish.[9] Social media, with sophisticated algorithms fine-tuned to capture the user’s attention, allows ideas to spread quickly.

Freedom of Speech in Schools, Hate Speech, and Bullying

In a 1969 case (Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District), courts ruled that students do have the right of freedom of speech in schools unless that speech “materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of the appropriate discipline in the operation of the school.”[4]

When it comes to online issues, a 2017 court ruling determined that social media activity that happens off campus can still be considered school speech, if those acts or posts were made by students and with the intention to disrupt school.

School districts and state policies might dictate an educator’s next steps when they suspect cyberbullying.[8] Half of US states have laws about bullying in schools, and 12 states have laws specifically targeted at cyberbullying in elementary schools.[13]

Districts have been sued for inaction when it comes to cyberbullying. That’s why some districts have started monitoring their students’ social media accounts. The methods range from simple alerts for mentions of the schools or “friending” students, to hiring outside firms to monitor social media and taking disciplinary action on problematic posts.[11] However, that’s led to questions about students’ rights. Civil rights advocates encourage schools to be mindful and handle online problems appropriately, while also respecting students’ free speech and privacy rights.[6]

How to Recognize and Help a Student Being Cyberbullied

Students can be traumatized by bullying or hate speech, even if there’s no physical violence involved. That’s just as true for cyberbullying and online hate speech. Even if the harassment is virtual, the pain is real. That’s when it can become an issue of discipline and require counseling in the school.

Because online bullying is almost impossible to overhear or see in the classroom, educators can be unaware it’s happening. The clues can be subtle, but may include signs from students who: ● Suddenly and unexpectedly stop using devices ● Become uneasy about going to school ● Attempt to avoid unstructured time ● Request not to work in groups or with a specific student ● Avoid discussions about what they are doing online[7]

In addition, students may exhibit classic symptoms of being bullied, like: ● Depression and anxiety ● Low self-esteem ● Showing signs in class of not getting enough sleep ● Chronic stress ● Self-destructive behaviors[12]

Many signs may not be immediately obvious or could indicate other problems. But adults must be ready to help a student who may be victimized by online hate speech or cyberbullying.

Educators can work with families to identify cyberbullying and promote positive, safe, and responsible media use. Educators can also help create a safe environment by publicly stating that harassment and intimidation have no place in schools, refusing to downplay hate speech, and showcasing other positive behaviors.

One thing that’s crucial to a students’ well-being is knowing that adults are there for them.

Child Psychologist Dr. Howard Stevenson says that children who have been victims of racial trauma tell him that the most hurtful moment isn’t the actual threat, “but when they realized the adults who were supposed to protect them had stayed silent.” Stevenson said educators must prepare themselves to speak out for their students.[5]

1. Anderson, Monica. “A Majority of Teens Have Experienced Some Form of Cyberbullying.” Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/09/27/a-majority-of-teens-have-experienced-some-form-of-cyberbullying/

2. Stopbullying.gov. “What is Cyberbullying.” https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it

3. National Center for Education Statistics. “Indicator 10: Bullying at School and Electronic Bullying.” https://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/ind_10.asp

4. Heller, Brittan and Larry Magid. “Parent’s and Educator’s Guide to Combating Online Hate Speech.” https://www.connectsafely.org/hatespeech/

5. The Educator’s Playbook. “How to Confront Hate Speech at School.” https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/educators-playbook/how-confront-hate-speech-school

6. American Civil Liberties Union. “Preventing Harassment and Protecting Free Speech in School.” https://www.aclu.org/other/preventing-harassment-and-protecting-free-speech-school

7. Cyberbullying Research Center. “Cyberbullying Warning Signs.” https://cyberbullying.org/cyberbullying-warning-signs

8. Oh, Erin Wilkey. “Teachers’ Essential Guide to Cyberbullying Prevention.” Common Sense Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/teachers-essential-guide-to-cyberbullying-prevention

9. Laub, Zachary. “Hate Speech on Social Media: Global Comparisons.” Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/hate-speech-social-media-global-comparisons

10. United Nations. “United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.” https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/UN%20Strategy%20and%20Plan%20of%20Action%20on%20Hate%20Speech%2018%20June%20SYNOPSIS.pdf

11. PBS News Hour. “Schools are watching students’ social media, raising questions about free speech.” https://youtu.be/pQ1Zr-zEwpc

12. Waterford.org. “Your Guide to Preventing and Responding to School Bullies.” https://www.waterford.org/education/how-to-respond-to-bullying-in-schools/

13. Redmond, Jodee. “Cyberbullying in Elementary School.” Love to Know. https://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Cyberbullying_Elementary_School

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Media Guidelines for Bullying Prevention

Media coverage of social issues has a profound impact on how communities understand and address problems. Research and expert opinion suggest that certain trends in media coverage of bullying have the potential to do harm. This section offers help to journalists, bloggers, the entertainment creative community, and others who are developing content about bullying.

What the Public Needs to Know About Bullying

• Although concern about it is growing, bullying isn’t an epidemic. In fact, national rates have decreased slightly in recent years.
• Bullying does not cause suicide; it’s only one of many factors involved.
• Bullying can affect any young person, but there are characteristics and circumstances that put certain youth at higher risk.
• Each bullying incident is a complex interaction. While there might be one “ringleader,” the bystanders often are involved.
• Cyberbullying is not nearly as common as people think.
• Some prevention strategies seem to help, and researchers continue to learn about what works.
• All fifty states have anti-bullying legislation. And, when bullying is based on a protected class and sufficiently serious, it can also be discriminatory harassment that violates federal law .
• StopBullying.gov provides information on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying.

Best Practices

Reporting on bullying poses challenges for journalists and other content creators. It involves reporting accurately on situations with complex emotions and cloudy details. Accurately informing the public is increasingly important as research suggests that certain trends in media coverage have the potential to do harm. Here is a list of best practices to assist journalists and other content creators:

Question which stories about bullying to run

Get the entire, balanced story and present it accurately, use knowledgeable sources and reputable resources, include information that many stories miss.

• Use nuanced, accurate journalism to make the world safer for our youth
• Consider the standards that will shape your coverage of bullying issues  before  news breaks

This section also features examples of balanced and accurate coverage on bullying.

When considering a piece on bullying, ask a few key questions:

• Does the behavior actually meet the  definition of bullying ?
• How will this coverage affect the children and families involved?
• Does the story reflect reality?
• Will this coverage help audiences better understand how they can contribute to preventing bullying?
• Try to talk to everyone involved, including bystanders and the young people accused of bullying.
• State the facts.
• Cover bullying as a public health issue.
• Remember that bullying affects people’s lives and emotions.

Sources make the story. So does accurate information. Without these, journalists and other content creators risk their coverage misinforming the public and doing more harm than good.

• Find an expert.  A bullying prevention expert can help ensure you have the facts about this complex problem. Other sources—principals, teachers, guidance counselors, parents, students—can round out your piece by relaying their own experiences. See a checklist of characteristics in the  Expert Help  section.
• Use verified statistics and research-based facts.  A web search will reveal lots of misinformation about bullying. The  Facts About Bullying  section offers up-to-date information for your review.

Analysis of media articles has shown that certain elements of bullying stories are often missing, including:

• Information about those who bully.  This can be very difficult to obtain, but at least represent what generally is known about youth who bully, including the many risk factors they face, the negative effects bullying has on these youth, and the facts that youth who bully are not all alike and some are also bullied themselves.
• Effects of bullying.  Explain the multitude of problems associated with bullying—not just suicide—such as absenteeism, drug and alcohol abuse, and depression. Many of these effects can last into adulthood. Also include effects on the school and the community.
• Specific ways for individuals to help.  Instead of general advice (e.g., “support your children”), or focusing on prevention through anti-bullying legislation or policies, offer specific action steps your audience can take. See  prevent bullying for tips.

See more about oversimplifying bullying stories in  What to Avoid .

Use nuanced, accurate journalism to make the world safer for kids

Without information about prevention, media coverage implies that bullying has no solution, a misrepresentation of the current state of the research. Audiences are left with only a sense of hopelessness. Consider the following approaches:

• Give practical advice  on how to  prevent bullying  tailored for your audience.
• Highlight successful bullying prevention initiatives.  Though no “silver bullet” approach has been identified, plenty of schools and communities have made progress.
• Discuss new prevention research.  Just as with other public health issues, keep the public informed of progress and setbacks documented in peer-reviewed journals.
• Point to prevention resources.  See the list of  resources  available on StopBullying.gov. For stories that discuss suicide, mention the  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline , 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• Stress the positive  actions, reactions, and interventions by the school or others.

Consider the standards that will shape your coverage of bullying issues  before  news breaks. Be prepared for fast-breaking stories with ethical guidelines already in place.

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Online Assistance

Ways to prevent social media bullying.

When it comes to bullying, the best ways to prevent it is to educate children and to talk about the effects of bullying. Bullying can be very harmful to children, and you can never fully realize the effect your words may have on a person. When it comes to social media, there are specific steps that can be taken to help prevent bullying. First and foremost, as mentioned, educating people on the topic of bullying and its effects is a great to prevent bullying. Also, the rules and terms set by social media, and standing up for what is right can be means of bullying prevention on social media.

We have all heard the unfortunate stories in the news of the devastating and sometimes fatal effects of bullying. Bullying is incredibly hurtful and can fuel the insecurities of developing children. By educating children, and discussing these stories we develop awareness of the effects of bullying. We must encourage our youth to support one another, rather than tearing each other via social media. By creating awareness and a sense of community, we can create safe havens on social media. Social media can be a great outlet for expressive youths, and this should be encouraged without the judgments and taunting of bullies.

In addition to educating the public and youths about the effects of bullying, the rules and terms set by social media are also methods to prevent social media bullying. Unfortunately, despite public education and increased awareness—there will always be bullies out there. These people feel the need to tear people down to deal with their shortcomings and/or persona insecurities. In the event that someone bullies another person on social media there are means of reporting that person, and removing the offensive content. Repeat offenders who abuse the privileges of social media will only be given so many warnings before being banned, which helps eliminate extreme bullying via social media.

Finally, standing up for what is right is another way to fight bullying on social media. Now, we aren’t suggesting that you battle people on social media and instigate confrontations, but if you see someone being mistreated on social media than speak up. Respectfully stand up for what you know to be right, and take the means to report what you know to be bullying. Abusive behavior should not be accepted in public forums and can surely be prevented by increased education, strict rules and standing up for what we know to be right.

Bullying: How Can It Be Prevented?

Bullying is a term used to describe a form of harassment perpetrated by someone who is in some way more powerful, physically or socially than his peers or the people in the immediate environment. While there are those who say that bullying is something that children will soon outgrow , there is no denying the fact that bullying has become prevalent in most schools all over America today.

Given this alarmingly high rate of bullying, the relevance of coming up with methods by which to deal with this social problem becomes more and more apparent. However, to be able to formulate a process by which bullying can effectively be prevented it necessary to first examine bullying, its elements, types and causes. Only through an understanding of bullying can parents, teachers and schools properly come up with the necessary steps to reduce or totally remove the presence of bullying.

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BULLYING Main Elements of Bullying The bullying has been identified by researchers as possessing the following characteristics or elements: aggressive and negative behavior, repeatedly carrying out of the behavior, existent in a relationship with a great imbalance of power and the behavior as being “purposeful” (Hazler 1997). When these characteristics exhibit themselves in any relationship that a person has with another person, it is highly likely that there is bullying.

The aggressive and negative behavior can often be manifested in other factors outside of the relationship between the bully and the victim such as in the classroom or in the manner that the bully interacts with people in authority as compared to the interaction among his (bully) peers. Bullying is not a single and isolated occurrence. A single case of abuse or aggression, be it physical or mental, is often not a case of bullying as it may just be the result of “flaring tempers” or “minor disagreements” among school children (Hazler 1997). Bullying involves constant aggression over a period of time.

In relationships where there is a great imbalance in power between the parties, bullying is most likely to occur. The more powerful and aggressive person has been found to exercise a certain influence over the weaker party and to dominate the other party. Bullying is not just a series of random acts of aggression. According to a study, “the acts perpetrated by a bully are not just random acts of aggression but a series of well designed acts aimed at effectively exercising domination of the victim and being able to extract a certain reaction that the bully is looking (Batsche 1994).

When all of these elements are present in a relationship, bullying is most likely to be occurring or to occur. While these elements are not conclusive in proving or showing the existence of bullying, the existence of these elements has been shown to determine to a certain extent the presence of bullying. Types of Bullying Bullying can basically be segregated into two distinct categories, direct bullying and indirect bullying or social aggression. Direct bullying involves direct physical aggression by the bully over the victim.

This type of bullying is most common among males and is exercised by those who are physically bigger than their peers. Indirect bullying is most common among females and younger children. This is done by “forcing the victim into social isolation through methods such as constant criticism of the victim, refusal to associate with the victim or by making the victim feel left out of any social activity (Batsche 1994). ” Bullying may manifest itself in different ways depending on the direct environment and the parties involved.

“Bullying,” according to a recent study, “is the assertion of power through aggression. Its forms change with age: school playground bullying, sexual harassment. Gang attacks, date violence, assault, marital violence, child abuse, workplace harassment and elder abuse. (Pepler and Craig 1997)”. Reasons for Bullying While bullying is caused mostly by reasons personal to the bully, researches have pinpointed certain factors as key to understanding why bullying exists in the first place.

Researchers have indicated that people who bully have personalities that are authoritarian, combined with a strong need to control (Kim 2006). The same study indicates that a deficit in social skills and a prejudicial view of subordinates can be particular risk factors. Other factors have been determined to be the following: quickness to anger and use of force, addiction to aggressive behaviors, mistaking others' actions as hostile, concern with preserving self image, and engaging in obsessive or rigid actions. (Kim 2006)

TAKING A STAND AGAINST BULLYING Role of Parents, Teachers and Schools Parents, Teachers and Schools should take an active role in remedying the problem of bullying. Bullying is a behavior which often occurs during ones childhood and in certain cases continues in the immediate environment of these bullies upon reaching adulthood. One of the keys to solving this problem therefore lies in being able to deal with the problem in its “infancy” stage (Harris 2006). The following are steps that can be taken to deal with this situation.

Identifying the Problem The first step that can be done to properly address the problem of bullying is to be able to properly identify the presence of bullying. Most students or children who are victims of bullying are afraid to report to the proper authorities for fear of being bullied even more if they are found out. The victims are also hesitant to alert the proper authorities because they do not feel that the authorities can do anything to prevent such bullying from happening.

For these reason, it is important to be able to determine the existence of bullying based on other factors and manifestations. Some of these signs that a child is being bullied are the following: lowered self-esteem, unexplained broken personal possessions, loss of money, loss of personal items, unexplained bruises & injuries or stories that don't add up, missing or incomplete school work, decreased success in class, acting out aggression at home, and lack of interest at social events that include other students.

At the first signs of these manifestations, steps should be taken to determine if there really is bullying going on and this can be best done by communicating to victim in a proper manner that something can be done about the situation if it is reported quickly. Encouraging Victims to Report the Bullying The second most important step in dealing with this problem lies in being able to show to the victim and to other victims who are unwilling to report incidences of bullying that reporting it to the proper authorities is the proper thing to do.

In most cases, victims of bullying are tentative to report any instance of bullying because they are not assured that the problem can be dealt with (Kim 2006). The best method is in being able to assure the victim that there are people who are there to support him and help him out in this process (Storch 2005). The victim has to be assured of the fact that he is not isolated from any help. The victim also needs to know that the incident will not increase in frequency or gravity once it has been reported to the proper authorities such as teachers or school personnel.

In being able to do this, the incidence of bullying can be drastically reduced when other children who have been victims themselves see that something can be done about the problem of bullying (Storch 2005). Assessing the Bully One of the most overlooked aspects in dealing with the problem of bullying has to do with being able to address the problem at the source which means dealing with the bully (Harris 2006).

Bullies who are encouraged or not shown the mistakes that they are committing have a high tendency of exhibiting such aggressive behavior outside of the school setting and eventually bringing them into the other environments which they are immersed in and thus perpetuating this wrongful behavior. The problem of bullying, as mentioned earlier, must be dealt with at its source in other to prevent more acts of bullying from happening.

This method however is trickier than it seems because when approaching or confronting a bully it must be remembered that the person may feel that such act is a sign of aggression and may react conformably. The steps with which to deal with a bully must be done in a very non-threatening manner thus reinforcing the idea that aggression is not the best way to deal with problems (Storch 2005). The bully must be made to understand that such aggressive behavior has a detrimental impact on not only the victim but on the psychological and emotional growth of the bully as well.

Counseling by an expert or peer counseling has been shown to be highly effective in these instances. CONCLUSION Bullying does not have to be something that society just has to tolerate. Neither does bullying have to be something that a child needs to experience and be able to “outgrow” in order to become a more mature and responsible adult. As this discourse has shown, there are indeed steps that can be taken by persons in authority to curb the occurrences of bullying. The problem must first be identified correctly.

The next step is to properly address whatever feelings the victim may have regarding the incident and ensuring that the aggressive behavior that the victim has experienced does not repeat itself. After this, proper programs to encourage witnesses and victims to report any incidents of bullying that occur have to be done. The final step in solving this social problem is in trying to address the problem from the side of the bully and ensuring that whatever reason the bully had for doing such is given attention and making sure that the event does not happen again.

Proper implementation of these measures will surely help in reducing if not ridding society of this problem concerning bullying. References: Batsche, G. M. , & Knoff, H. M. Bullies and their victims: Understanding a pervasive problem in the schools, (1994) School PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW, 23 (2), 165-174. EJ 490 574. Hazler, R. J. , Carney, J. V. , Green, S. , Powell, R. , & Jolly, L. S. Areas of Expert Agreement on Identification of School Bullies and Victims, (1997). School Psychology International, 18, 3-12. Kim, B. L.

Leventhal, Y. -J. Koh, A. Hubbard, and W. T. Boyce School Bullying and Youth Violence: Causes or Consequences of Psychopathologic Behavior? Arch Gen Psychiatry, September 1, 2006; 63(9): 1035 - 1041. Storch, E. and D. R. Ledley Peer Victimization and Psychosocial Adjustment in Children: Current Knowledge and Future Directions Clinical Pediatrics, January 1, 2005; 44(1): 29 - 38. Harris, S. and C. Hathorn Texas Middle School Principals' Perceptions of Bullying on Campus NASSP Bulletin, March 1, 2006; 90(1): 49 - 69.

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Bullying: How Can It Be Prevented?. (2016, Jul 31). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/bullying-how-can-it-be-prevented/

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85 Bullying Research Topics and Essay Ideas

Table of Contents

Bullying is a controversial yet sensitive issue that is worth studying. Therefore, in recent times, some instructors have been asking students to work on bullying research topics. In general, bullying is defined as repeated unwanted aggressive behavior that is intended to hurt a person physically, verbally, or emotionally. Mainly, based on the methods, bullying is categorized into different types such as verbal bullying, physical bullying, social bullying, sexual bullying, and cyberbullying. When it comes to writing a research paper on bullying, you can pick any topic related to these bullying types.

If you are unsure what topic to choose for your bullying research paper, then this blog might be useful to you. For your convenience, here, we have suggested a list of engaging bullying research questions and essay topics. Additionally, we have also shared how to choose a good topic and write a well-researched academic paper on bullying.

Continue reading this blog and get captivating ideas for bullying research paper writing.

Steps for Selecting a Bullying Research Topic

The bullying research topic that you choose will play a vital role in the success of your paper. So, spend some time to identify the right topic for your bullying research paper. If you experience difficulties with topic selection, follow these steps.

• First, determine the area of bullying that you are interested in writing about. It can be any sort of bullying such as verbal bullying, cyberbullying, etc.
• In the chosen area, search and gather relevant bullying research ideas. To collect ideas, you may read already published articles, journals, and magazines related to the theme.
• Next, brainstorm all the gathered ideas and narrow down the list based on its research scope, authenticity, and the availability of sources.
• Refine the shortlisted ideas and pick a unique topic that is researchable and meets your needs.
• Finalize the topic after consulting with your instructors.

Bullying Research Paper Writing

Once you have chosen a research topic, you may go ahead and start preparing the academic paper by executing these steps.

• Deeply analyze the selected research topic and generate a powerful thesis statement to focus on.
• Based on your topic, use either quantitative or qualitative research methods and collect the necessary details for discussion.
• Conduct extensive research on the chosen topic and obtain knowledge of background information by referring to existing materials.
• Organize all the gathered ideas and create a well-structured bullying research paper outline with essential elements such as the introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Elaborate on the outline and begin writing a well-cited bullying research paper. Remember, the paper you compose should contain valid facts and evidence to prove your thesis statement. You may also quote a real-life incident in your paper and present your arguments.
• After you finish writing, proofread the paper multiple times and correct if there are any grammar, spelling, punctuation, and citation errors in it. Submit your bullying research paper only if it is error-free and non-plagiarized.

List of Bullying Research Topics and Essay Ideas

Are you searching for the best bullying research topics or essay prompts? If yes, then without any hesitation, take a look at the list presented below. In the list, we have analyzed and added 85 outstanding bullying research paper topics .

Best Bullying Essay Topics

• Discuss the common characteristics of school bullies.
• Analyze the causes of workplace bullying.
• Write about the bystander effect in workplace bullying.
• Examine the correlation between bullying and suicide.
• Analyze the long-term effects of bullying.
• Explain how cyberbullying affects school children.
• Write about the different physical and emotional forms of bullying.
• Analyze how harassment affects job satisfaction.
• Discuss the effects of anti-bullying measures in schools.
• Explain how to prevent workplace bullying.
• Discuss the importance of anti-bullying laws.
• Analyze the impact of social media on bullying rates.
• Explain the effect of harassment acts on the perpetrators.
• Write about domestic violence and bullying.
• Analyze the impact of bullying on children with developmental disabilities.

Top Bullying Research Topics

• Explain the emotional effects of workplace bullying.
• Analyze the factors of investigating the cases of nurse bullying.
• Examine the factors in group bullying participation.
• Investigate the impact of teacher-initiated bullying reduction strategies.
• Explain how adolescents should cope with bullying.
• Examine the gender differences in harassment behavior.
• Analyze the physical health impacts of bullying on adolescents.
• Examine the role of friendship bonds in bullying experiences.
• Write about the bullying of LGBTQ+ adolescents.
• Evaluate the efficiency of legislation to prevent bullying.
• Analyze the effects of bullying on a victim’s physical health.
• Examine the impact of bullying on the academic performance of teenagers.
• Investigate the effect of harassment on anxiety symptoms.
• Explore the effectiveness of family interventions in addressing bullying.
• Study the correlation between racial differences in aggression experiences.

Good Bullying Essay Ideas

• Explain the role of parenting styles in bullying.
• Write about the anti-bullying practices in the criminal justice system.
• Explain how bullying affects the social learning theory.
• Examine the reasons why people bully others.
• Study the correlation between bullying and substance abuse.
• How does bullying affect those who observe it?
• Write about the reactions when people get bullied.
• Discuss the three key elements of bullying
• Analyze the effects of social media on bullying.
• Explain how to support your peer who has already been bullied.
• Suggest some best tricks to overcome bullying.
• Analyze the adverse effects of bullying in schools.
• Explain how to increase awareness about bullying.
• Examine the consequences that bullied kids suffer.
• Explain the use of technology in bullying prevention.

Also Read: 150 Outstanding Film Research Paper Topics

Cyberbullying Research Questions

• Analyze the factors that help to identify online abuse.
• Research the psychology of aggressors who initiate cyberbullying.
• Examine the role of educators in online abuse issues.
• Suggest some best measures to prevent cyberbullying.
• Discuss the consequences for individuals who cause cyberbullying.
• Prepare a research paper on cyberstalking.
• Explain how cyberbullying affects the social lives of the victims.
• Examine the link between cyberbullying and juvenile delinquency.
• Write about teenage cyberbullying.
• Analyze the effects of cyberbullying and violent behavior on victims.
• Investigate the reasons behind the increasing cases of cyberbullying in modern society.
• Compare cyberbullying and offline bullying.
• Write about laws and regulations that penalize cyberbullying.
• Explore how anti-social behavior results in online victimization.
• Prepare a case study on celebrities who were affected by online harassment.

Interesting Bullying Research Topics

• Examine the impact of bullying on the bully.
• Analyze the correlation between bullying and self-esteem.
• Discuss the legal measures that should be taken to solve bullying.
• Explain the impact of bullying on social relationships.
• Examine the behaviors that children who are bullied exhibit.
• Discuss the importance of empathy in preventing bullying.
• Analyze the psychological consequences of bullying on victims.
• Explain the difference between teasing and bullying.
• Analyze the risks associated with standing up when bullied.
• Examine the legal implications of social bullying.
• Write about bullying in the healthcare environment.
• Discuss the role of HR in preventing workplace harassment and bullying.
• Suggest some recovery strategies to heal from bullying trauma.
• Analyze the effect of bullying on American society.
• Explain how to talk to children about bullying.

Latest Bullying Research Topics

• Write about the countries that have anti-bullying laws.
• Analyze the psychological things that bullies do to their victims.
• Explain the difference between harassment and bullying.
• Analyze the link between bullying and the school dropout rate.
• Write about the workplace bullying prevention policy.
• Discuss the impact of bullying on the mental health of a person.
• Suggest some of the best ways to overcome the urge to bully.
• Examine the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of bullying.
• Write about the bullying of LGBTQ students in American schools.
• Prepare a research paper on bullying and conflict resolution tactics.

Also Read: 180 Impactful Religion Research Paper Topics

Wrapping Up

From the various ideas suggested in the above-published list, choose any topic of your choice and craft a detailed bullying research paper with supporting claims. If you need help with writing a research paper on bullying, contact us immediately.

At greatassignmenthelp.com, we have several academic writers with a strong knowledge of various problems associated with different types of bullying. So, by using their expertise, they will offer you cheap and best bullying research paper help . Especially, according to the guidelines you share with us, our scholarly writers will guide you in composing a plagiarism-free and high-quality bullying research paper. Furthermore, by utilizing our bullying assignment help online , you can wrap up all your tasks ahead of the deadline and rope in top grades in your class.

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Finland School Shooting’s Motive Was Bullying, Police Say

The police said the motive emerged during interviews with the student, who after the shooting also threatened students heading to another school.

By Johanna Lemola and Emma Bubola

Johanna Lemola reported from Helsinki, Finland. Emma Bubola reported from London.

The 12-year-old boy who opened fire at his school in Finland on Tuesday, killing a schoolmate and injuring two others, has offered an explanation for the shooting: He was bullied.

The police said the motive emerged during interviews with the student, who had transferred to his school, north of Helsinki, at the beginning of the calendar year. After the shooting, the police said, the boy also threatened students heading to another school.

The boy, who cannot be criminally charged because of his age, was placed in the custody of social welfare authorities, the police said.

“This incident is deeply upsetting,” Finland’s education minister, Anna-Maja Henriksson, said in an interview on Wednesday. “We have to do more in the society to prevent bullying.”

A number of public officials said it was too early to know exactly what set off the shooting, which resulted in the death of another 12-year-old boy and injuries to two girls of the same age. But many joined in calling for more concerted efforts to address mental health problems among young people, and to combat school bullying.

In the Finnish news media, one editorial called for “an iron grip on the sickness of children and young people,” and others demanded more assurances from the authorities about school safety. The Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat published guidelines to report bullying, because “the responsibility always lies with adults.”

A 2023 government survey showed that about eight percent of young people reported being bullied in Finland, an increase over the previous year.

“We have done a lot of things to make things better,” said Katri Kalske, a deputy mayor for education in the city of Vantaa, where the shooting took place, citing the introduction of lessons about children’s emotions and other initiatives.

“Sadly,” she added, “They haven’t.”

Tightening gun ownership laws has been all but absent from the debate in Finland, which has one of the highest rates of firearm possession in Europe.

Finland has about one gun for every three people, according to the 2018 Small Arms Survey , but its rate of firearms-related deaths is a small fraction of that in the United States, according to the World Population Review .

The discrepancy, experts say, stems from Finland’s tight regulations over who can obtain a weapon, and from the two countries’ contrasting cultures.

Finland’s extensive gun ownership is related to its deeply ingrained hunting culture and its sporting habits, they say, rather a sense that it is a fundamental right aimed at self-protection.

Permits for firearms can be granted only to people who can demonstrate “an acceptable purpose of use” and are considered fit based on their health and behavior. Many pistol and revolver owners must also prove that they continued practicing hunting or shooting sports to keep their license.

“In general our control is working quite well and gun safety is at a high level,” said Mika Lehtonen, the chief of firearms administration for the national police.

Still, questions remained over how a 12-year-old child gained control of a gun.

The police said that the weapon was a revolver that belonged to a close relative, and they were investigating how the child came to possess it. That could result in a violation for the licensed owner.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in London, covering news across Europe and around the world. More about Emma Bubola