Cyberbullying is a phenomenon that affects a huge number of people as communication now focuses more on online interaction. Research on the causes and effects of bullying revealed that consequences are not solely directed towards the victims but to those who bully as well. This is due to behavioral choices influenced and conditioned by people they interact with, including family and peers. A cyber bully abuses on the web using social media, emails, or cell phones. The strong desire to do something out of the ordinary sometimes pushes individuals to bully someone. Cyber bullies harass people because they often think they are superior over other people, have domestic problems, have low self-esteem, and may have experienced bullying in the past.
Many people bully because they want attention to themselves. They often think they are more superior to others in terms of intelligence, societal standing, financial status, or physical appearance. Sometimes, they target others because the intended victims have something they want but don’t have. It could be anything from gadgets, study materials, a beautiful home, or even relationships. The power trip they get out of bullying makes them feel greater than anyone else.
Belonging to an abusive, disturbed, and dysfunctional family background can also turn children into bullies. To make up for feelings of uselessness and powerlessness, they intimidate others to gain a sense of control and power over the victims. Thus, whatever pent up emotions bullies have at home, they vent out on others (Gordon).
Low self-esteem also pushes an individual to bully others. Insecurity about one’s looks and social status can lead to bullying where the bully humiliates another person to cover up for his or her own flaws. Regardless whether the bully comes from a rich or poor family, insecurity exists. When an individual is used to being the popular person in school or has experienced a sense of power, it can be an addicting feeling such that anything that threatens his or her position can become a victim of bullying (Patchin & Hinduja, 2010, p. 616).
Sometimes, having experienced bullying from others leads a victim to bully other people, too, as a form of revenge. The need to make others undergo the same stress and pain of becoming the victim and make them suffer compensates for the same stress and pain that the former victim experienced before. Thus, regardless whether the former victim experienced is emotional, social, or psychological stress, the intended victim will also undergo the same experience (Gordon).
Unquestionably, cyber bullying has negative effects on its victims. Stoel (2011) argued that it agitates victims psychologically and emotionally, thus, victims often feel anger, loneliness, embarrassment, and fear. These emotions lead victims to experience behavioral problems such as poor concentration, absenteeism, and low achievement on goals (4). As a result, victims are more likely to become antisocial. On the other hand, the bullies also experience negative consequences of their actions, such as possibilities of run-ins with the law, tendencies to become an abusive partner and parent, depression, development of anxiety-related disorders, and use of addictive substances and alcohol, among others.
Cyber bullying is a serious matter and must be dealt with immediately. It can cause mental trouble on the victims that pushes the victim to commit suicide or hurt themselves. Therefore, children must always be taught about the causes and effects of cyber bullying so that they know and understand how to protect themselves in the future.
References
Gordon, S. (n.d.). 8 Reasons why kids cyberbully others. About.com. Retrieved from http://bullying.about.com/od/Cyberbullying/a/8-Reasons-Why-Kids-Cyberbully-Others.htm
Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2010). Cyberbullying and self-esteem. Journal of School Health 80(12) 614-21. Retrieved from http://wp.cune.org/matthewchapa/files/2012/12/Cyberbullying-and-Self-Esteem-Article-JSH.pdf
Stoel, C. (2011). Cyber bullying and the classroom. Colleagues 6(2). Retrieved from http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1154&context=colleagues
