# data[].attributes.body
MS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Test your knowledge about cyber bullying!

# data[].attributes.body
MS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
contributed by Paula Green, and updated by TeachThought Staff

Preventing cyberbullying is a matter of awareness and response: knowing what children are doing and how they are vulnerable, then helping them learn to respond when their well-being is threatened by bullies, trolls, and other dangerous users online.

If a child is expressing anger or anxiety after going online, it might be one of the signs he/she is being cyberbullied.

Cyberbullying is becoming a burning issue both for parents and teachers. While statistics vary from study to study, it's generally true that children are spending more time than ever 'online.' In fact, some students may spend more time online than offline, which means they might be more likely to be bullied through words on a screen than in a school hallway or bathroom.

The effect of cyberbullying are similar to traditional bullying but traditional bullying stops when the school ends; for online bullying there is almost no escape. Unfortunately, many kids torment and harass each other using the internet apps and social media channels.

7 Surprising Cyberbullying Statistics

It's impossible to prevent cyberbullying altogether, just as it's impossible to completely prevent in-person bullying. But there are some strategies you can use to reduce the likelihood that it occurs and offers them ways to respond when it does.

9 Ways To Prevent Cyberbullying

1. Establish a climate of communication with your child

Every psychologist will tell you that one of the best ways to help your child or student is by establishing a 'climate' of trust and communication.

It's not enough to be 'willing' to talk with a child or 'hope' that they'll come to you if they experience bullying (of any kind). Ideally, there will be communication patterns established where they aren't just likely to discuss this with you, but see you as a resource and support system.

2. Define it

Give them a formal definition of cyberbullying. Give them examples-examples they might actually experience using the online activities they're most likely to use.

There are many forms of cyberbullying, from light-hearted by hurtful comments on facebook to passive-aggressive posts on Instagram to trolling on YouTube to cyberstalking everywhere else.

At the very least, be patient and ask a child about the problem in general: what is cyberbullying, does he/she know someone who is being bullied, what children should do if notice acts of bullying. This way you will see how much your child is involved in the situation and which side he/she is on.

3. Give them strategies to respond

And because the bullying is often done in front of friends and peers, make sure the 'strategy to prevent cyberbullying' has credibility with their peers-that is, that allows them to 'save face' and redirect the attention back to the bully. Ironically, the wrong response could encourage more bullying in the future.

4. Use celebrity card

Modern children aren't so different than we were: they choose role models and are influenced by them.

Today, those role models are YouTubers and video game streamers and athletes as often as they are athletes, actors, musicians, and other 'stars.' And thankfully, many of these 'role models' discuss bullying, advocate for victims, and encourage each of us to create new social norms where bullying isn't just tolerated but is shamed as a behavior.

5. Monitor online activity

Luckily, cyberbullying has one advantage or 'traditional' bullying: you can notice it and save the evidence.

If moving offline completely isn't an option, you can install iPhone and Android phone monitoring apps. These can allow monitoring social media activity (including YouTube, Tik Tok, facebook, snapchat, and Instagram), the viewing of all text messages (even deleted ones), call logs, and general online behavior. You can even block and control the child's phone remotely.

In short, know what they're doing it online-when they're doing it and with whom.

6. Know the apps and platforms

Piggybacking on the above, it's difficult to prevent cyberbullying if you don't understand how the apps work and the most likely ways trolls and others can affect your student or child's well-being. It would be difficult to help students navigate bullying in a physical school if you'd never seen or experienced yourself and the same is true online.

7. Engage parents and youth

Create a community for adults and pupils to send a unified message against cyberbullying. Establish a school safety committee that will control and discuss the problems of online bullying. Just as there are now laws in some states against cyberbullying, teachers and administrators can create policies and rules, including a cyberbullying reporting system.

8. Emphasize positivity

School staff can do a big deal to prevent cyberbullying. As a teacher, you can use staff and parent meetings and even send newsletters. Use your school website to create a page and forum, where parents can discuss the problem. You can also engage bullies and victims by giving them mutual tasks, so they can try to see each other from a different perspective.

9. Remember the big idea

Remember that the ultimate goal is to protect and restore the victim's self-respect and empower them with a mindset, tools, and strategies to protect themselves online and offline in the future.
Mrs. Green takes a big part in NY anti-bullying campaign for young leaders. Right now she works as an independent contributor for Pumpic.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
9 Ways To Prevent Cyberbullying | TeachThought

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
contributed by Paula Green, and updated by TeachThought Staff Preventing cyberbullying is a matter of awareness and response: knowing what children are doing and how they are vulnerable, then helping them learn to respond when their well-being is threatened by bullies, trolls, and other dangerous users online.

# data[].attributes.body
MS

# data[].attributes.body
MS

# data[].attributes.body
MS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Recognizing warning signs and documenting the bullying may help, experts say.

Image

Credit Credit Ollie Silvester

The bullying started with some teasing and mean comments, but escalated significantly when Mallory Grossman, 12, a cheerleader and gymnast from New Jersey, began middle school. It spread to social media where a group of children tormented her.

They took pictures of Mallory at school, without her knowledge, posted them online and taunted her with text messages containing screenshots of the vicious comments made about her. "They called her horrible names, told her you have no friends and said, when are you going to kill yourself," said her mother, Dianne Grossman.

Ms. Grossman frequently reported the bullying to the school, but the harassment continued. She said that by the time she found out about the full scope of the cyberbullying, it was too late. Mallory died by suicide on June 14, 2017.

"The vicious things Mallory's peers said about her became her reality," her mother said. "No matter how untrue they were, she started believing it. Words matter - they have the ability to cause significant harm."

Ms. Grossman is working to pass Mallory's Law in New Jersey - a bill that would create more accountability in how schools in the state respond to bullying.

A report last year from the Pew Research Center found that 59 percent of teens said they had been bullied or harassed online - and that many of them think teachers, social media companies and politicians are failing to help.

Cyberbullying includes tactics like posting vicious comments (including text messages), spreading rumors, making threats, telling people to kill themselves, impersonating someone through a fake account and creating a social media account to harass someone.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that any type of bullying increases a child's risk for anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, academic problems, and there's a significant connection between bullying and suicide-related behaviors.

"Bullied children experience shame and humiliation. When they see others ridiculing them online they worry who else saw it, shared it - how far their image traveled," said Mildred Peyton, a bullying expert in Maryland.

But the impact of cyberbullying is often minimized because of the notion that there is no physical threat - the bully is not there and targeted children could just avoid going online. However, experts say that the children eventually feel the real-life impact when online pictures and rumors about them spread through their schools.

"People are emboldened behind a computer screen and things can escalate very quickly, often turning into a mob of children making cruel comments," Dr. Peyton said. "Victims can't get a break from the harassment since the bullies can access the internet anytime. Even if a child isn't online, pictures of them can still be circulated by their peers - and they are humiliated in school when they find out."

She added: "Children being bullied need help - and oftentimes so do the bullies - their behavior is often indicative of instability in their own lives."

A 2016 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reports that bullying is a "significant public health problem" with long-term negative effects.

"When cyberbullying began, many schools believed that since it was happening off school grounds they weren't required to intervene or they didn't have the legal authority to do so," said Parry Aftab, a lawyer and cybercrimes expert. "Some schools were sued if they tried to take action," she said.

While there has been something of a shift in thinking on how to address cyberbullying and some states have enacted stricter legislation targeting online bullying, it is still a pervasive problem, and states vary in their approaches to fighting it.

"Schools often still treat bullying as if it's about conflict resolution," Ms. Aftab said. "Parents can be seen as overprotective for being concerned - but bullying isn't about peer conflict, it's about a child intentionally being targeted and harassed."

If there are no consequences for online harassment, Ms. Aftab said, "bullies are often emboldened and the behavior continues."

Following are some steps experts suggest parents can take.

Nearly 60 percent of kids don't tell caregivers they're being cyberbullied, making it critical to know the warning signs. These include:

Children appearing upset or mad when they're online.

A significant increase or decrease in online activity.

Becoming withdrawn, anxious or avoiding social situations.

Turning off the computer or changing screens when an adult walks by.

Having difficulty concentrating.

Changes in grades or acting in uncharacteristic ways.

Regularly check children's online presence and privacy settings on their social media accounts.

If someone harasses your child online, take screenshots of the comments. Include the website or app name in the image and a picture of the commenter's profile.

If the cyberbullies attend your child's school, report it to administrators and show them the images. Report harassment to the site or app where it happened and include that these are posts about a minor. Block bullies' online accounts and phone numbers that send harassing texts.

If schools are unresponsive, Dr. Peyton recommends going up the chain of command to the superintendent. Caregivers can also contact their state's department of education and familiarize themselves with local anti-bullying laws.

It's also important to discuss with children what to do if they witness cyberbullying: Don't participate in it, don't share content and tell a trusted adult. Some experts recommend that peers post a positive comment when they see children attacked to offset the abuse.

If your child is physically threatened online, go to law enforcement. If it's not taken seriously, Ms. Aftab recommends speaking to a detective, lieutenant or captain until someone listens.

Discuss cyberbullying with children and explain that if it happens, it's not their fault. Teach them not to ignore it (inform a trusted adult, take screenshots) and create a plan of action outlining what to do if they're targeted.

Children may want to respond to cyberbullies and defend themselves. Discuss with children what, if any, response is warranted and ensure that they understand that any response can also circulate online.

If they experience bullying, the long-term impact can be significant. Ensure that children have support, including speaking to a therapist.

Children often feel ashamed over being bullied or fear that if their parents or caregivers get involved, the bullying may get worse. So it's important for children to have many places to turn, such as the Crisis Text helpline and Stop It Now, which provide free 24-hour support to children.

For parents and caregivers who need support, resources are available through sites including No Bully, the Bully Project or the National Parent Helpline.

Correction:

An earlier version of this article misspelled the first name of the mother of Mallory Grossman. She is Dianne, not Dianna.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Safeguard Children Against Cyberbullying

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Recognizing warning signs and documenting the bullying may help, experts say. The bullying started with some teasing and mean comments, but escalated significantly when Mallory Grossman, 12, a cheerleader and gymnast from New Jersey, began middle school. It spread to social media where a group of children tormented her.

# data[].attributes.body
EH

# data[].attributes.body
EH

# data[].attributes.body
EH

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As the world turns to moretechnology innovation, our lives are also becoming digitalized. The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that we conduct more of our daily existences over the internet than ever before.

In general, this is a good thing. Digital technologies make our lives easier and facilitate business, communication, government, and much more. However, as is the case with most things, with the good also comes the bad, and one negative result of internet use is cyberbullying.

What is Cyberbullying?

As the name implies, cyberbullying is bullying in a digital space, such as on mobile phones, computers, tablets, etc., in arenas such as text messaging, social media, forums, online gaming, and more.

It should come as no surprise that cyberbullying has become a major issue. All that has happened is that an age-old problem has made its way into the digital world.

One could argue that cyberbullying is more damaging than traditional in-person bullying because it can happen anytime. The words people use to bully are in the digital space, so cyberbullying is more challenging to spot, meaning it often goes unnoticed.

To see how big of a problem this is, here are all the statistics about cyberbullying that you need to know:

Cyberbullying in 2023

Cyberbullying is a real problem in today's society. Consider that:

An Imminent Threat

These numbers show that cyberbullying is not some tiny problem experienced by just a select few individuals but is a widespread societal issue. Therefore, we all must understand cyberbullying, why it happens, how to stop it, and how to help victims.

It's Not Just Children

Adults are often guilty of or subjected to cyberbullying. However, cyberbullying is usually called something else when done to adults, such as harassment or sometimes even stalking.

To give you an idea of how prevalent these problems are, sixteen percent of womenand one in 19 men have been stalked at some point in their lifetime. Four in ten Americans have experienced some form of online harassment.

Also, consider that:

These numbers are troubling. It shows that cyberbullying is pervasive and doesn't disappear as we age. Perhaps what it highlights the most is that being nice to one another is what our global society needs more than anything.

More Cyberbullying Statistics Everyone Should Know

At this point, it should be clear that cyberbullying is a significant problem in today's society. But where does cyberbullying occur?

The study also revealed some surprising statistics about the number of people that are perpetrators of cyberbullying. For example, they found that:

69 percent of people report having done something abusive towards others online.

15 percent of people admit to having cyberbullied someone else online.

These statistics are troubling because it suggests a general misunderstanding of precisely what cyberbullying is.

More specifically, it's likely these people who have admitted to doing something abusive towards others online actually engaged in cyberbullying. Still, because of a lack of awareness about this, they do not admit it.

Here are some more cyberbullying statistics to consider:

Why are People Cyberbullied?

To tackle the problem of bullying and cyberbullying, it's essential to look at why people are cyberbullied. The graph below shows us some of the main reasons why people get attacked online:

Based on these details, we can see that people are bullied online primarily because of their physical appearance, status, and preferences.

The Impacts of Cyberbullying

The effects of cyberbullying can have a tremendously negative impact on the mental health and well-being of victims. These impacts are far more severe than "feeling bad" about yourself. They go deeper and touch more sensitive parts of the human psyche.

Victims can feel these effects in the short and long term, and they help point out why we should take cyberbullying so seriously.

Here is a rundown of some troubling statistics about the impact of cyberbullying:

From the data of Cyberbullying Research Center, 64 percent of people who have been cyberbullied say it affects their ability to learn and feel safe at school.

What's perhaps more concerning, though, is the impact cyberbullying has on the one doing the actual bullying.

The Results of Cyberbullying

Below are other impacts that, according to students, were a result of the cyberbullying they had experienced:

25 percent of teens have had an online bullying experience that culminated in a face-to-face confrontation.

13 percent reported cyberbullying made them concerned about going to school the next day.

8 percent reported having physical altercations with someone because of something on a social network.

6 percent reported another student sending an instant message or chat to hurt their feelings.

4 percent reported having something put on a profile page to hurt their feelings.

3 percent reported receiving a nasty email from another student.

How Can You Tell if Someone is Being Cyberbullied?

People who suffer from cyberbullying are unlikely to say anything about it; that is why it is crucial to know the detrimental effects of cyberbullying and the signs that someone is suffering. We can offer help wherein the victims are often too shy or embarrassed to ask for it.

Become shy and withdrawn

Became moody, agitated, anxious, or stressed out

Act more aggressively towards others

Protest more about going to school

Get into trouble at school

Skip school

Experience a dip in academic performance

Have stopped using the computer or other devices that connect to the internet

Change in eating and sleeping habits. For example, they may begin experiencing nightmares

Attempts self-harm or threatens suicide

Suddenly started hanging out with a new group of friends

This is one of the biggest red flags because kids are connected to their devices. If you notice a significant change, you must ask them what they are experiencing.

Recognizing Cyberbullies

On the other side of things, it's essential to look out for some of the signs that someone is engaging in cyberbullying.

As shown by the statistics, more people engage in cyberbullying than you might think, and these numbers are based on those who admit it. There may be more people than the research suggests.

It's tricky to determine when someone is engaging in cyberbullying, but it's not impossible. Typically, children, or adults, who are engaging in cyberbullying will:

Stop using their computer or phone when someone comes near them

Look nervous or jumpy when online

Be secretive about what they are doing online

Spend an excessive amount of time on the computer

Become angry or upset when internet privileges are taken away (this is more the case with children than adults)

If you see anyone exhibiting these types of behaviors, then consider investigating more and intervening where possible.

What Should You Do if You Believe Someone is a Victim of Cyberbullying?

As of 2023, around 81 percent of kids think that bullying is easier to get away with online. Part of this could be that 90 percent of kids who see cyberbullying ignore it.

This suggests that only a small group of people speak up about cyberbullying, which needs to change.

As an adult, if you see a kid being cyberbullied, consider doing one of the following:

Ask your child to go over their list of contacts on their phone and instant messaging apps so that you can know more about the people with whom they communicate.

Talk to your kids about cyberbullying, so they know what it is and how to understand when it is happening.

Emphasize to kids that they will not lose internet privileges if they are being cyberbullied. Believe it or not, this is the main reason kids choose not to speak up about cyberbullying, according to the NCPC.

Raise the issue with teachers and school administrators to look for signs of bullying in school and address the problem in the best way possible.

Reach out to your child's friends. An engaging bystander is a key component of fighting bullying, so those who witness the abuse know what they are seeing and how to react.

Those being cyberbullied have options, too. Ensure kids know this by going over what they should be doing if they feel they are a victim. Some things you can do if you think you're being cyberbullied are:

Tell someone you trust about what's going on so that you can get some help.

Keep emails, texts, comments, etc., that could be evidence of cyberbullying.

Don't strike back. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Report the issue to the website. For example, Facebook and YouTube both have places where you can report cyberbullying in a safe environment.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, cyberbullying is a significant issue in every society worldwide, and it isn't something that only kids have to deal with. Everyone might experience these challenges too.

Hopefully, these statistics have helped you see how serious this problem is and what could be your role in addressing it. Keep an eye out in your digital communities, and if you see someone acting towards someone else in a harmful way, say something. You might just save their life.

FAQ

Which group has the highest risk of being cyberbullied?

The most likely demographic to be cyberbullied is a white, homosexual, 9th-grade girl.

Which group has the highest chance of being a cyberbully?

Strangely, or perhaps not, it turns out that girls tend to be the cyberbully most often as well, especially towards their former friends or dating partners. More research is needed in this area, but these are the initial results.

Does a single incident count as bullying?

Technically, no. An important part of defining either bullying or cyberbullying is its repetitive nature. Though a single instance can certainly be painful, it is not defined as bullying until it has been shown to happen recurrently.

Can adults get cyberbullied?

The Cyberbullying Research Center says cyberbullying as a term should generally only be applied to interactions between adolescent peers. While the same behaviors can certainly happen between adults, there is a distinction between that and when it happens to kids. For adults, the behavior is actually a crime like harassment or stalking.

What are the most common types of cyberbullying?

This is not a conclusive list, but the most frequent type of cyberbullying takes the form of flaming, outing, trolling, name calling, spreading false rumors, sending explicit images or messages, or cyberstalking (harassing or making physical threats).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
All the Latest Cyberbullying Statistics for 2023

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The latest cyberbullying statistics for 2023 show that this notorious online problem isn't going away any time soon or getting better on its own.

# data[].attributes.body
EH

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"We are concerned that too much work in this field has focused on adults telling youth what bullying is and what to do to address bullying behavior. In reality, youth are the primary experts on what is happening at school and on what works best to prevent peer maltreatment....We see authentic youth involvement as key to success in bullying prevention."

Lessons learned from surveying the students can be summarized in the following don'ts and dos:

Don'ts:

#1: Don't try to help youth differentiate between "tattling" and "telling." They key is to have trusting relationships between adults and youth and that means expressing their concerns about what their peers are doing.

#2: Don't imply that a mistreated youth "has it coming" to him or her. No one "deserves" to be bullied or harassed, regardless of their provocations.

#3: Don't overuse the term, "bullying." There are many peer misbehaviors that may not conform to the formal definition of bullying but still have no place in schools. Actions that harm, or potentially harm, others should be the targets, not finding the "bullies."

Dos:

#1: Work collaborative with students to build clear definitions of respectful behavior and respond promptly and consistently, with care and concern, when respectful behavior is not shown.

#2: Encourage youth to reflect on their own behavior and how it relates to their personal aspirations and the school's code of conduct or core values. Students perceive this as showing them considerable trust.

#3: Place a high priority on activities that connect students with one another and school staff, including adviser-advisee times, advisory periods and class meetings, cross-age, interest-based activities in and after school, and meaningful service projects.

#4: Adults must communicate "unconditional positive regard to all students" (p. 142) without exception or hesitation. Students must believe that the adults in the school believe in them and their potential to achieve in the classroom and in life.

#5: All students should be taught "the cognitive skills of social problem solving so they can try different solutions instead of giving up when they experience failure" (p. 142). These skills have the potential to support alternatives to bullying, considering consequences before cyberbullying, determining how to be an upstander, and how to respond with determination if one is victimized or threatened. Social problem solving skills also help youth to evaluate what is said about them and better equip them to "choose how they feel about themselves" (p. 143).

#6: Youth want to see adults respond proactively (i.e., actively discourage hurtful speech and actions), promptly when an incident is reported, and to follow up afterwards. They want to see enduring caring.

Even if the Glass is Half Full, It Needs Filling Up

Looking at general trends across a large number of youth leads to three observations that must be viewed with great caution:

First, the data at times are not "so bad." Fifty-five percent of students who are mistreated because of sexual orientation feel that adults listen to them; 42 percent of the time, they maintain ongoing supervision for a meaningful period of time -- more than happens for other kinds of mistreatment (37 percent). There are many finding like this and one can be tempted to think things are not as dire as one might have predicted. However, why the figures are not 90 percent or more is the real question. Every child deserves to be heard and supported after an incident, whether for reasons of sexual orientation, physical disability, special education status, etc.

Second, students receiving special education services are mistreated by peers more often than their peers and feel noticeably more supported by adults (though not by peers) than other students who are mistreated. While this seems like good news, it is very likely a consequence of social exclusion. These students tend to have a narrower range of contacts with adults than most other student groups, but do feel supported by those adults they do see. On the other hand, their school day will often bring them into contact with a wide range of peers, often without inclusive supports, and those contacts tend to be unsupportive.

Third, general trends mean little in the context of specific schools. Each school must gather and analyze data on incidents of mistreatment and victimization, and tap student voice and involvement and student and staff perception of climate, using anonymous surveys that allow for disaggregation of data while protecting confidentiality. Many schools would find the surveys in Youth Voice to be helpful, at least as starting points for gathering information.

Next Steps

The action implications of these findings, as well as some of the dos noted earlier, are to promote a genuine and broad sense of inclusiveness by educating for true understanding of diversity, especially as manifest in one's own school, to ensure that school codes of conduct and core values are integrated into everyday routines, including opportunities for student reflection and feedback on student report cards (versus being relegated to statements in handbooks or on web sites), and to require that all students are given systematic training in social problem solving or related social-emotional skills and encouraged specifically to use those skills in finding alternatives to mistreating others, seeking help effectively, and upstanding in the presence of injustice and inequity.

What are your thoughts and ideas about this post? Please share in the comments section below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bullying Prevention: Students Share Dos and Don'ts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"We are concerned that too much work in this field has focused on adults telling youth what bullying is and what to do to address bullying behavior. In reality, youth are the primary experts on what is happening at school and on what works best to prevent peer maltreatment....We see authentic youth involvement as key to success in bullying prevention."

# data[].attributes.body
EH

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Preventing bullying is just as likely as preventing poverty, racism, or violence.

If we can start by considering bullying from this level of humility, we may be able to improve our efficiency in dealing with and responding to it as a problem.

Of course, there is no "it." Bullying is an output and a symptom -- the result of a variety of factors that manifest themselves well beyond the school. Celebration of aggressiveness and violence, pack mentalities, peer pressure, lack of empathy, violence at home, insecurity, social media, a lack of positive role models, and scores of other factors all combine to produce the ugliness that is bullying.

Cyberbullying

Technology has a way of amplifying our best and worst characteristics as people, and that is true with bullying -- or cyberbullying -- as well. Cyberbullying is just a digital layer added to what's gone on for years in schools, on playgrounds, in workplaces, and even with professional athletes. In fact, there is now impressive nuance available when bullying through technology.

For one, there is the visibility and scale of it all. Make one comment on an Instagram thread, and every single person afterward sees that comment, as well as any reply. It's the same with Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter if you dig a little. The snide comment in the hallway that was only heard by four of five people has been replaced by the snarky subtweet that has everybody taking screenshots.

Which brings us to the relative permanence of digital fare. Once it's emailed, posted, liked, tagged, texted, or otherwise flung out into the digital ether, it's "loose," gone, no longer under the sender's control. Social media is designed to make people seen and heard, which means that it captures -- and amplifies -- everything. In fact, apps like Snapchat are built around this very idea of permanence vs. impermanence as some kind of escape from accountability.

The New-Bullying: Passive-Aggressive Social Media Behavior

And then there's the nuance I mentioned, starting with passive-aggressive behavior that so many social media platforms seem designed for. The aforementioned subtweets, sliding in and out of people's "mentions" on Twitter, tagging (and more acutely, failing to tag people that very well should have been tagged), failing to respond to tags in a timely fashion, following and unfollowing, friending and defriending, all create an ecology that breeds bullying. Which brings up an interesting point: What does it mean to bully?

And more broadly, what kind of response makes sense to get closer to the roots of the problem?

Anti-Bullying Education

Education about bullying should probably be a big part of that response, largely built around a clear, modern definition for bullying and all of its degrees. Stopbullying.gov defines bullying as:

[U]nwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

That's not a very kid-friendly definition, so kid-friendliness would be a good start -- a definition for bullying that the people who have trouble understanding it can use. "Being mean to people that can't or won't defend themselves" may be too flimsy-sounding, but it's clear.

Maybe we could offer some compelling and authentic examples, including passive-aggressive bullying? The iconic bully takes lunch money, grabbing pint-sized kids by their ankles, turning them upside down, and shaking out their change. Certainly this still happens, and it would be a stretch to say "21st-century bullying" is always digital. But updating how we define bullying, what it looks like, where it happens, and some basic strategies for response may be a good first step.

If nothing else, it might be helpful to somewhat "normalize" being bullied -- not to make it acceptable, but to remove the stigma from it. Everyone, at some point, has been bullied. There is no reason for shame -- only transparency.

Bullying Transparency

Which brings us to our key takeaway here -- transparency. We can't prevent bullying, but we can make it crystal clear that bullying:

1. Happens to everyone

2. Has varying degrees, behaviors, and host environments

3. Is not OK

4. Is correctable

5. Takes a village to correct.

Highlighting the behaviors instead of demonizing the bullies themselves could be one strategy. While there is some kind of justice in calling out and ridiculing bullies, that's a lot like spanking kids for hitting, or sending lifelong criminals back to jail. Your reaction to any of this is a matter of personal philosophy and politics, but the big idea is to address the ecology that produces the problem, rather than playing whack-a-mole every time it surfaces.

No, it's not easy, but neither is spending two hours every morning responding to the previous evening's middle school Facebook blow-up.

Setting a New Tone

Educators have taken many approaches to solving the problem of bullying, whether making it "uncool" to bully, meting out scary punishments, or teaching tolerance. Tolerance is certainly part of the issue, but even that starts with highlighting differences between people and suggesting that one "tolerate" the other.

There is no solving the issues, but there can be improved transparency, and a new tone for how we respond -- educating in kid-friendly and authentic language, using real-world examples with updated definitions, all in pursuit of total transparency for a growing problem.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Transparency: Bullying Redefined and Identified

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Preventing bullying is just as likely as preventing poverty, racism, or violence. If we can start by considering bullying from this level of humility, we may be able to improve our efficiency in dealing with and responding to it as a problem. Of course, there is no "it."

# data[].attributes.body
LK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Online socializing has good and bad sides to it. The Internet and social media platforms continue to evolve how we communicate and have added certain conveniences to our lifestyles, but they can also expose us to new risks, as well.

Cyberbullying is one example that can have devastating effects on young people. Cyberbullying occurs when a bully targets a victim using online communication methods such as texting or social media posts to threaten, abuse, or degrade someone. With its use of technology, cyberbullying has gained more attention and notoriety in recent years. It's a crime that doesn't restrict itself to school or the playground.

What fuels cyberbullying? Unlike traditional bullying, it doesn't require physical strength or a face-to-face meeting. Anyone with an Internet connection and a digital device like a smartphone, computer or tablet can be a cyberbully. There are no specific hours, and it can happen around the clock, whether through social networking sites or instant messaging.

Since many platforms don't make an effort to verify people's real identities, a cyberbully can choose an alias and remain anonymous. Cyberbullying is fueled by this cloak of anonymity, which often serves to heighten the extent of a cyberbully's cruel and damaging behavior. It can target anyone, including young kids and middle school and high school students.

According to the 2016 Norton Cyber Security Insights Report, 48 percent of parents believe their children are more likely to be bullied online than on a playground. Finding solutions to combat online bullying should be a priority for parents and school officials. But bullying prevention is a difficult challenge.

The experience of cyberbulling can leave lifelong scars and be harmful a child's development and self-esteem. Children often have a hard time knowing how to respond when they are harassed. And when they do react, they often don't completely understand the consequences of their actions.

Cyberbullying can leave some youth depressed or withdrawn, and in some extreme cases has led victims to suicide.

There are many different types of cyberbullying out there, and all of them can be damaging to children and teens.

8 types of cyberbullying

Here are eight types of online bullying:

1. Outing

Outing is a deliberate act to embarrass or publicly humiliate an individual by posting their private, sensitive, or embarrassing information online. The information revealed can be minor or serious, but can have a severe and lasting impact on the victim.

2. Fraping

Fraping is a serious offense where a person gains access to the victim's social media account and impersonates them in an attempt to be funny or to ruin their reputation. Fraping can have serious consequences, especially because once a social post is out there, it may be hard to delete it and mend the victim's digital reputation.

3. Dissing

Dissing is when people share or post cruel information about an individual online to ruin their reputation or friendships with others. This includes posting personal photos, videos, and screenshots. The person sharing this information may be a friend or acquaintance of the victim. Some cyberbullies go to great lengths to hurt their victims, even creating webpages designed to spread hurtful information and lies about their victims.

4. Trolling

Trolling is a form of cyberbullying done by insulting an individual online to provoke them enough to get a response. Usually these attacks are personal and instigate anger in the victim, making them lash out and behave badly.

5. Trickery

Trickery is the act of gaining a victim's trust so that they reveal secrets or embarrassing information, which the cyberbully posts on the Internet for everyone to see. The person pretends to be a close friend and confidant, and gives the victim a false sense of security before breaking his or her trust.

6. Sockpuppets or catfishing

A "sockpuppet" is a form of deception that uses a fake social media account. The creator of the fake account gains their victim's trust by pretending to be someone they're not. When their victim divulges private information, the puppeteer shares that personal information with others who may bully the victim. Catfishing similarly involves setting up a fake online profile, but with the purpose of luring its victim into a deceptive online romance.

7. Doxing

Doxing is derived from the word "documents" and occurs when a cyberbully harasses and threatens a victim online for revenge and to destroy their victims' privacy. Doxing shares private information - such as Social Security numbers, credit cards, phone numbers, and other personal data - with the public.

8. Encouraging self-harm

Some cyberbullies threaten to hurt their victims or convince them to hurt themselves. It can be the worst type of cyberbullying, because it can lead its victims take their lives by suicide.

Cyberbullying warning signs

Cyberbullying comes in many forms and can affect its victims many ways. It's smart to watch for common warning signs that your child is a victim of cyberbullying, as well as bullying in general.

Depression

A huge warning sign that your child may be the victim of cyberbullying or bullying is if they become withdrawn or seem depressed and sad. Are they losing interest in people or activities they used to enjoy? Are they sleeping in when they usually don't?

Avoidance of social situations

Does your child or teen seem to be avoiding social situations or friends whom they enjoyed spending time with in the past? Are they spending an inordinate amount of time alone? This could be a signal that something greater, such as cyberbullying, is going on.

Changed frequency of device use

Have you noticed that your child suddenly is always on social media or Snapchat, or texting on their cell phones? This could signal they are the target of cyberbullying - or are doing the bullying. A marked decrease in device use could also be a warning sign. Paying attention to any changes in your child's online behavior could help you detect trouble.

Secrecy

Does your child hide their devices whenever you're around or dodge questions about their online activity? They could be hiding the possibility that they are being bullied online. This is an important opportunity for you to intervene, help them sort out their emotions, and put a stop to the harmful behavior.

Heightened emotions

Another warning sign of cyberbullying is if your child seems to get upset or angry when they're online. Crying is a warning sign. While laughing isn't a bad thing, it might be if they're the ones doing or witnessing the cyberbullying.

Suspicious social media account activity

Has your child suddenly cancelled their social media accounts? Or do they seem to have multiple accounts? These could be warning signs that something isn't right.

Suspicious photos

Have you seen images of your child on their cell phone or others' social media accounts that are demeaning and inappropriate? Or have you found images of someone else on one of your child's devices that you know the other person wouldn't want shared? These are warning signs that either your child is the target or source of cyberbullying.

Hurtful comments

Are there mean comments harassing or embarrassing your child on their social media accounts or in their text messages? Keeping up with their online activity is important, especially so you can spot cyberbullying behavior - such as hurtful comments - before they are deleted. Even if deleted, those comments may inflict emotional damage on your child.

How to protect your child from cyberbullying

How can you help protect a child from cyberbullying? One of the first things parents should do when their child is being cyberbullied is remember to stay aware and calm. Children may not like to tell their parents when they are being cyberbullied because they feel embarrassed or they're afraid they might lose their internet privileges.

Talk to your kids about cyberbullying. Let them know cyberbullying can be common - that they aren't the only victims. Teach your kids the basics of online security and stay connected with them daily and digitally.

Another option to keep children safe online is to install reliable online security on all of the devices they access. For instance, Norton Family Premier lets your kids explore the web freely while keeping you in the know about which sites they visit. It comes with parental controls that block unsuitable content for kids and provides insight into your child's social media activity when they log in to social media sites from their PC.

The security software also helps protect your child from accidentally giving out sensitive personal information from their computer. This includes phone numbers, address, email, and the school they attend. It also alerts you when your child attempts to visit a blocked site.

Cyberbullying is a problem that's not easy to solve. But awareness and knowledge are the first steps to help keep your children safe online.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is cyberbullying and what are the warning signs?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Online socializing has good and bad sides to it. The Internet and social media platforms continue to evolve how we communicate and have added certain conveniences to our lifestyles, but they can also expose us to new risks, as well. Cyberbullying is one example that can have devastating effects on young people.

# data[].attributes.body
LK

# data[].attributes.body
LK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parent’s Guide to Cyberbullying - ConnectSafely

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thanks to increased research around cyberbullying, we know more about the problem and what will help, and we’re more motivated as a society to address it.

# data[].attributes.body
LK

# data[].attributes.body
SC

# data[].attributes.body
SC

# data[].attributes.body
LK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Cyber bullying statistics refers to Internet bullying. Cyber bullying is a form of teen violence that can do lasting harm to young people. Bullying statistics show that cyber bullying is a serious problem among teens. By being more aware of cyber bullying, teens and adults can help to fight it.

Cyber bullying affects many adolescents and teens on a daily basis. Cyber bullying involves using technology, like cell phones and the Internet, to bully or harass another person. Cyber bullying can take many forms:

Sending mean messages or threats to a person's email account or cell phone

Spreading rumors online or through texts

Posting hurtful or threatening messages on social networking sites or web pages

Stealing a person's account information to break into their account and send damaging messages

Pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person

Taking unflattering pictures of a person and spreading them through cell phones or the Internet

Sexting, or circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person

Cyber bullying can be very damaging to adolescents and teens. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Also, once things are circulated on the Internet, they may never disappear, resurfacing at later times to renew the pain of cyber bullying.

Many cyber bullies think that bullying others online is funny. Cyber bullies may not realize the consequences for themselves of cyberbullying. The things teens post online now may reflect badly on them later when they apply for college or a job. Cyber bullies can lose their cell phone or online accounts for cyber bullying. Also, cyber bullies and their parents may face legal charges for cyber bullying, and if the cyber bullying was sexual in nature or involved sexting, the results can include being registered as a sex offender. Teens may think that if they use a fake name they won't get caught, but there are many ways to track some one who is cyber bullying.

Despite the potential damage of cyber bullying, it is alarmingly common among adolescents and teens. According to Cyber bullying statistics from the i-SAFE foundation:

Over half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyber bullying.

More than 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyberthreats online.

Over 25 percent of adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through their cell phones or the Internet.

Well over half of young people do not tell their parents when cyber bullying occurs.

The Harford County Examiner reported similarly concerning cyber bullying statistics:

Around half of teens have been the victims of cyber bullying

Only 1 in 10 teens tells a parent if they have been a cyber bully victim

Fewer than 1 in 5 cyber bullying incidents are reported to law enforcement

1 in 10 adolescents or teens have had embarrassing or damaging pictures taken of themselves without their permission, often using cell phone cameras

About 1 in 5 teens have posted or sent sexually suggestive or nude pictures of themselves to others

Girls are somewhat more likely than boys to be involved in cyber bullying

The Cyberbullying Research Center also did a series of surveys that found these cyber bullying statistics:

Over 80 percent of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for cyber bullying

About half of young people have experienced some form of cyber bullying, and 10 to 20 percent experience it regularly

Mean, hurtful comments and spreading rumors are the most common type of cyber bullying

Girls are at least as likely as boys to be cyber bullies or their victims

Boys are more likely to be threatened by cyber bullies than girls

Cyber bullying affects all races

Cyber bullying victims are more likely to have low self esteem and to consider suicide

Parents and teens can do some things that help reduce the cyber bullying statistics:

Talks to teens about cyber bullying, explaining that it is wrong and can have serious consequences. Make a rule that teens may not send mean or damaging messages, even if someone else started it, or suggestive pictures or messages or they will lose their cell phone and computer privileges for a time.

Encourage teens to tell an adult if cyber bullying is occurring. Tell them if they are the victims they will not be punished, and reassure them that being bullied is not their fault.

Teens should keep cyber bullying messages as proof that the cyber bullying is occurring. The teens' parents may want to talk to the parents of the cyber bully, to the bully's Internet or cell phone provider, and/or to the police about the messages, especially if they are threatening or sexual in nature.

Try blocking the person sending the messages. It may be necessary to get a new phone number or email address and to be more cautious about giving out the new number or address.

Teens should never tell their password to anyone except a parent, and should not write it down in a place where it could be found by others.

Teens should not share anything through text or instant messaging on their cell phone or the Internet that they would not want to be made public - remind teens that the person they are talking to in messages or online may not be who they think they are, and that things posted electronically may not be secure.

Encourage teens never to share personal information online or to meet someone they only know online.

Keep the computer in a shared space like the family room, and do not allow teens to have Internet access in their own rooms.

Encourage teens to have times when they turn off the technology, such as at family meals or after a certain time at night.

Parents may want to wait until high school to allow their teens to have their own email and cell phone accounts, and even then parents should still have access to the accounts.

If teens have been the victims or perpetuators of cyber bullying they may need to talk to a counselor or therapist to overcome depression or other harmful effects of cyber bullying.

Sources:

Richard Webster, Harford County Examiner, "From cyber bullying to sexting: What on your kids' cell?" [online]

i-SAFE Inc., "Cyber Bullying: Statistics and Tips" [online]

Cyberbullying Research Center, "Summary of our cyberbullying research from 2004-2010" [online]

National Crime Prevention Council, "Cyberbullying" [online]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Cyber Bullying Statistics - Bullying Statistics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Cyber bullying statistics refers to Internet bullying. Cyber bullying is a form of teen violence that can do lasting harm to young people. Bullying statistics show that cyber bullying is a serious problem among teens. By being more aware of cyber bullying, teens and adults can help to fight it.

# data[].attributes.body
SC

# data[].attributes.body
SC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Cyberbullying on social media is linked to depression in teenagers, according to new research that analyzed multiple studies of the online phenomenon.

Victimization of young people online has received an increasing level of scrutiny, particularly after a series of high-profile suicides of teenagers who were reportedly bullied on various social networks. In 2013, for example, a spate of suicides was linked to the social network Ask.fm, where users can ask each other questions anonymously. The deaths of teens who had been subject to abuse on the site prompted Ask.fm (which was acquired by Ask.com in 2014) to launch new safety efforts. Twitter, likewise, announced plans in April to filter out abusive tweets and suspend bullying users.

Social media use is hugely common among teenagers, said Michele Hamm, a researcher in pediatrics at the University of Alberta, but the health effects of cyberbullying on social media sites is largely unknown. Regular, face-to-face bullying during the teen years may double the risk of depression in adulthood, and bullying's effects can be as bad or worse than child abuse, studies show.

A depressing effect
In the new review, Hamm and her colleagues combed through studies on cyberbullying and social media, finding 36 that investigated the effects of cyberbullying on health in teens ages 12 to 18. Although the studies examined different health outcomes and sometimes defined cyberbullying differently, one finding stood out.

"There were consistent associations between exposure to cyberbullying and increased likelihood of depression," Hamm told Live Science. [ 8 Tips for Parents of Teens with Depression]

The studies covered a variety of social sites, but Facebook was the most common-between 89 percent and 97.5 percent of the teens who used social media had a Facebook account. Seventeen of the 36 studies analyzed looked at how common cyberbullying was, and the researchers found that a median of 23 percent of teens reporting being targeted. About 15 percent reported bullying someone online themselves.

Two studies examined the prevalence of so-called "bully-victims," meaning teens who both bully others and are bullied. Research on offline bullying shows these kids to be most at-risk for mental health problems. One study found that 5.4 percent of teens were bully-victims, while the other reported a prevalence of 11.2 percent.

Safe social media
Despite the well-publicized suicide cases linked to cyberbullying in news reports, Hamm and her colleagues did not find consistent links between being bullied and self-harm across the studies. Nor did they see a consistent link between cyberbullying and anxiety. Some studies found evidence for these links, and others did not.

However, Hamm cautioned, the findings don't mean these links don't exist. The 36 studies used a variety of definitions and health outcomes, and not enough work has been done to confirm or rule out connections between cyberbullying and anxiety or self-harm.

But cyberbullying and depression went hand-in-hand, the researchers report today (June 22) in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. Ten studies examined the link between social media victimization and depression, and all of them found a connection.

Alone, these studies can't prove that the bullying caused the depression - it's possible that depressed teens are more likely to become targets of bullying than their healthier peers. However, Hamm said, one of the 10 studies did follow the teens over time and found that the cyberbullying preceded the teens' depression, hinting at a causal relationship. The research also found that the more cyberbullying a teen experienced, the more severe his or her symptoms of depression.

Alarmingly, teens typically suffered cyberbullying in silence. "Kids really are hesitant to tell anyone when cyberbullying occurs," Hamm said. "There seems to be a common fear that if they tell their parents, for example, they'll lose their Internet access."

Therefore, it's important for parents to respond carefully if their kids are being bullied online, and to teach teens safe Internet use rather than cutting off permission to use the Web, she said.

"Parents need to address that this is happening and that the Internet and social media is here," Hamm said. "It's an important part of their kids' lives. But it needs to be a whole team approach."
Copyright 2015 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Social Media Cyber Bullying Linked to Teen Depression

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Victims tend to suffer in silence, making it difficult for parents to identify and address the problem

# data[].attributes.body
SC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:

Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok

Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices

Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet

Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit

Email

Online gaming communities

Special Concerns

With the prevalence of social media and digital forums, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers as well as acquaintances. The content an individual shares online - both their personal content as well as any negative, mean, or hurtful content - creates a kind of permanent public record of their views, activities, and behavior. This public record can be thought of as an online reputation, which may be accessible to schools, employers, colleges, clubs, and others who may be researching an individual now or in the future. Cyberbullying can harm the online reputations of everyone involved - not just the person being bullied, but those doing the bullying or participating in it. Cyberbullying has unique concerns in that it can be:

Persistent - Digital devices offer an ability to immediately and continuously communicate 24 hours a day, so it can be difficult for children experiencing cyberbullying to find relief.

Permanent - Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life.

Hard to Notice - Because teachers and parents may not overhear or see cyberbullying taking place, it is harder to recognize.

Laws and Sanctions

All states have laws requiring schools to respond to bullying. As cyberbullying has become more prevalent with the use of technology, many states now include cyberbullying, or mention cyberbullying offenses, under these laws. Schools may take action either as required by law, or with local or school policies that allow them to discipline or take other action. Some states also have provisions to address bullying if it affects school performance. You can learn about the laws and policies in each state, including if they cover cyberbullying.

Frequency of Cyberbullying

There are two sources of federally collected data on youth bullying:

The 2017 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey (National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice) indicates that, among students ages 12-18 who reported being bullied at school during the school year, 15% were bullied online or by text.

The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) indicates that an estimated 15.7% of high school students were electronically bullied in the 12 months prior to the survey.

See also " Frequency of Bullying."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else.