Cyberbullying By: Kent Lopez and Zedric Pardo

1. CYBERBULLYING
By: Kent Lopez and Zedric Pardo

2. CYBERBULLYING STATISTICS
Despite the apparent lack of cyberbullying that occurs on its own as put forth
by this study, it is generally not in dispute that cyberbullying is extremely
common. According to BullyingStatistics.org, the following data relate to
cyberbullying:
 More than half of adolescents and teens have experienced cyberbullying.
 Roughly the same percentage of adolescents and teens admit to engaging in
cyberbullying.
 More than one-third of people under the age of 18 have been threatened online.
 More than 25 percent of adolescents and teens have been cyberbullied repeatedly.
 The vast majority of teens do not tell their parents when they have been
cyberbullied

3. What is Cyberbullying?
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.

4. The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
 Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter
 SMS (Short Message Service) also known as Text Message sent
through devices
 Instant Message (via devices, email provider services, apps, and social
media messaging features)
 Email

5. What are the causes?
 Cyberbullies motivated by revenge
 Cyberbullies believe the victim deserves it
 Cyberbullies want to alleviate boredom
 Cyberbullies give in to peer pressure

6.  Cyberbullies think everyone is doing it
 Cyberbullies are hungry for power
 Cyberbullies believe they won’t caught
 Cyberbullies lack emphathy

7. What are the effects?
For many cyber bullying affects their everyday lives and is a constant source
of distress and worry. With mobile technology being so freely available it is an
ongoing issue and one that is relentless. Not only does it go on after school, college
or work has finished, but it then carries through into the next day and the cycle
continues. It has been well documented that cyber bullying has resulted in tragic
events including suicide, and self-harm and clearly, more needs to be done in order to
protect vulnerable children and adults from online bullying.

8. If you are worried that your child or a loved one might be the victim of cyber
bullying here are some signs to look out for:
 Low self-esteem
 Withdrawal from family and spending a lot of time alone
 Reluctance to let parents or other family members anywhere near their mobiles,
laptops etc

9.  Finding excuses to stay away from school or work including school refusal
 Friends disappearing or being excluded from social events
 Losing weight or changing appearance to try and fit in
 Fresh marks on the skin that could indicate self-harm and dressing differently such
as wearing long sleeved clothes in the summer to hide any marks
 A change in personality i.e. anger, depression, crying, withdrawn

10. What are the possible solutions?
The easiest path that could be taken is to stay away from the bully and ignore
the person. But since cyberbullying takes place via the medium of the Internet and the
victims are children or young adults, it would be a difficult path to follow. Parents and
schools need to step in to prevent cyberbullying. Schools and colleges should have
an active anti-bullying policy. If such cases are found, schools should invoke
counseling via therapists. You need to be aware that both the victim and the bully
need counseling.

11.  Coming to the prevention of cyberbullying, the US federal government recommends
keeping an eye on what your child is doing. It says you have to:
 Restrict access to the Internet by blocking certain websites
 Allow time-based surfing and mobile usage
 Check into the activities of the children using any software
 Keep the password of the child account with you and using it once in a while to
check what all the child does online
 Block people who may be harassing your kids