The constant development of technology and increasing popularity of the Internet has made cyberbullying one of the most difficult issues to resolve in our society. According to Del Rey et al. (2016), cyberbullying refers to bullying through information and communication technologies, mediums such as social networks, instant messaging, internet chat rooms, phone calls, emails, and mobile phone text messaging. The most common type of cyberbullying in the contemporary society is the use of the internet. Young people today are using the internet more than ever. They view it as a positive aspect of our society. However, despite the internet and mobile phones being the biggest systems of communication, they are often used negatively. Many young people become the targets of bullying via the internet and mobile phones resulting in total confusion on the side on of the victim (Del Rey, 2016). When cyberbullying is not controlled, it leads to severe psychological impacts on young people.
Causes of Cyberbullying
Young people often find themselves in environments where people bully and get bullied. According to Del Rey et al. (2016), causes of cyberbullying are similar to those that cause any other type of bullying. Cyberbullying is even more appealing to bullies because it can be done anonymously. No study has conclusively identified the exact reason of why people do cyberbullying. Some bullies are motivated by the surrounding social environment, while others are driven by the desire to revenge (Baldry, et al., 2016). Being victims of bullying makes others think that bullying others is the only way of comforting themselves. In this context, the various causes of cyberbullying may include;
i. Dysfunctional families
Family situation is one of the major contributory factors for cyberbullying. Poor parental communication, domestic violence, divorce, authoritative parenting, and lack of emotional support are all potential factors in the lives of cyberbullies. Parents and relatives are very powerful role models and young people tend to mimic the behavior of these family members, wanting to be like them (Baldry, et al., 2016). When elements of bullying exist in the family, these young people may believe that bullying is right thing and may begin using it with their peers. However, a dysfunctional family is not a guarantee that a young person will become a cyberbully.
ii. Looking for Attention
Attention seeking is another major reason for cyberbullying. Many cyberbullies would never think of themselves as bullies. They consider what they are doing as teasing a bit, and may even be trying to befriend or communicate the victims of their cyberbullying activities. Social factors may cause them difficulties in communicating in a healthy way and instead turn to insults (Baldry, et al., 2016).
Cyberbullies in this category mostly do so to boost their egos. They disturb others through the internet simply to entertain themselves and their friends who might also be cyberbullies. Such people are not scared of being caught as they believe that the anonymous status on the internet insulates them (Del Rey, 2016). Attention is all they need. It is probable that these bullies do not get adequate attention from their family members and close friends. Hence, they want to get it from others on the internet.
iii. Inability to regulate emotions
Another potential cause of cyberbullying is the inability to control emotions. When people get frustrated, it is difficult to control themselves from saying things that may hurt others (Modecki et al., 2014). Issues in an individual’s life may cause them to lose control of their emotions and resort to using abusive or unkind works while communicating through social network platforms. Due to their inability to regulate their emotions, small annoyances on the internet can provoke them and cause them to severely overact (Del Rey, 2016). The overreaction often causes cyberbullying.
Psychological Impact of Cyberbullying
Just like any other form of bullying, cyberbullying causes psychological, physical, and emotional stress. Although different people respond differently to bullying, there are some general tendencies of cyberbullying victims (Modecki et al., 2014). Some of these impacts are not temporal on the young people and may last long to adulthood.
One of the most common psychological impacts of cyberbullying is depression and anxiety. In young people, the impacts of cyberbullying are often more internalized. Being young and in a stage of development, most victims cave for independence and do not want assistance. As such, they will tend to prefer dealing with their problems on their own. Since their coping skills are not developed enough at this young age, they begin to internalize the problem and develop a sense of helplessness. This ultimately results in anxiety and depression disorders (Kowalski, et al., 2014). If not well-handled this developed anxiety and disorder in young people may begin to manifest as eating disorders, commonly known as bulimia and anorexia especially in female victims.
Remedies of cyberbullying in young people
Given the widespread popularity of the internet and few restrictions on its use, controlling what young people do on internet sites is difficult. However, there are ways to keep check the young people’s activities on the internet to curb cyberbullying. One way is directly controlling the young people’s experience with the internet. For instance, watching their use, reading what they are posting, and checking their text messages. Also, the young people should be told what to do if they are victims of cyberbullying. If they are the bullies, there should be strict consequences for their actions (Kowalski, et al., 2014).
References
Modecki, K. L., Minchin, J., Harbaugh, A. G., Guerra, N. G., " Runions, K. C. (2014). Bullying prevalence across contexts: A meta-analysis measuring cyber and traditional bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(5), 602-611.
Baldry, A. C., Sorrentino, A., " Farrington, D. P. (2016). 4 Cyberbullying. The Psychology of Crime, Policing and Courts, 57.
Del Rey, R., Lazuras, L., Casas, J. A., Barkoukis, V., Ortega-Ruiz, R., " Tsorbatzoudis, H. (2016). Does empathy predict (cyber) bullying perpetration, and how do age, gender and nationality affect this relationship?. Learning and Individual Differences, 45, 275-281.
Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., " Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological bulletin, 140(4), 1073.
