Introduction:
Over the last decades, cyberbullying has rapidly increased all over the world. Cyberbullying is the use of the internet and other electronic communication devices to spread hateful information about another individual. The most affected groups include the youths, bisexuals, gays, disabled individual and the socially isolated persons. The bullying may also adversely affect the witnesses, as it is associated with adverse outcomes like mental health, drug use, and suicide. The issue has been alleviated by the fast-growing technology and the increased engagement of the youths in the social media platforms. In spite of inculcation of technological advancement, social media portrays a significant implication on the lives of the adolescents. In return, the act of cyberbullying through mobile phones has ominously increased among the adolescent. Notably, the emergence of the new era has introduced innovative technology proliferation not to mention utilization of the social media platforms and mobile phone devices, which have induced societal landscape changes. Cyberbullying is wrong since it has numerous adverse effects.
Key Terms and Gender Role:
Remarkably, the literature of cyberbullying inculcates various key terms such as indirect cyberbullying and the direct cyberbullying. Indirect cyberbullying involves the spread of gossip, entrusted data and false rumors relating to a particular individual to other members. The occurrence of indirect cyberbullying manifests because of gossiping through text messages or voice calls. Direct cyberbullying anticipates text messages and voice calls intended to bully, threaten, and insult someone intentionally (STOMP Out Bullying, 2018). The concepts draw different latter practices, which intend to produce and distribute perpetrator traits. Besides, the role of gender plays a significant role in establishing the best approach to the emerging situations. Notably, the operation of the gender concepts transpires when girls anticipate indirect bullying and boys respond to direct bullying.
The Use of Cyberbullying:
The teenagers use cyberbullying as a way to expose and humiliate others. The study conducted by Edwards et al. (2016) implied that adolescents had adopted a new way of dispensing punishments and rewards. Remarkably, the research was grounded on the fact that behavioral implications contribute to social dominance as well as social prominence. Under social prominence, research denoted those popular adolescents are categorized based on fashion, physical attractiveness, athletics, and ability to influence other members. Social dominance as highlighted in the text tends to analyze traits such as coercion, antisocial and other associated pro-social behaviors. Accordingly, due to the augmented neglect of the research on the role of the adolescent toward cyberbullying, the institution offers an implicit study on the protagonist of an adolescent in acts of cyberbullying. Therefore, the paper anticipates attributively on the offline and the controversial popularity form of behavioral bullying among the adolescent. Moreover, it assesses cyberbullying among the adolescents through mobile phone and the anticipated role of the peer groups and gender status on social media. It also emphasizes on principles contributing to cyberbullying. They may also engage in cyberbullying to anger a particular person. An individual may post rumors through text messages or emails online, which contains defamatory messages and even private information about the person being targeted. The perpetrator then conceals his or her identity by making a fake profile picture or email online. Cyberbullying is always conducted through teasing, taking ill of another person and intention to hurt them and spread rumors. Usually, the individual being bullied always feels lonely, powerless, sad and different. The act can take place anywhere depending on the surroundings, in institutions, cities, suburbs or towns. The individual being bullied can be noticed by his or her appearance. He may appear angry, depressed or frustrated when faced with such situations. The person becomes uneasy in visiting social places and withdraws from normal practices and functions.
Effects of Cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying has numerous effects. To start with, it results in long-term psychological impacts on the affected person's mind. It may even result in a damaged personality. The person being bullied may also develop a sense of revenge, and this may, in turn, destroy the way they view themselves and the society. The approach is usually dangerous as it keeps the person being bullied locked in the bully-victim cycle, which may force them to engage in harmful acts. The affected person also becomes depressed and anxious. Cyberbullying victims frequently succumb to anxiety, depression, and other distress "Cyberbullying 2010". These conditions happen since cyberbullying erodes their esteem and self-confidence. Moreover, the daily suffering of facing the issue of cyberbullying undermines their feelings of excitement and contentment.
The affected person may also feel disinterested in life. Usually, when cyberbullying takes place victims typically relate to the world around them differently than other individuals. In most cases, most victims feel hopeless and lack meaning about their life. They become disinterested with things that previously interested them and spend minimal time with their loved ones. In this case, the victims are alone and isolated. There are many cases that teens have been excluded and ostracized at school. The experience is painful as friends are vital at this age. Bullying can be alleviated when teens do not have friends. In many cases, when cyberbullying occurs most individuals recommend shutting down electronic devices. However, for teenagers, this means cutting off communication. Their computer devices and cell phones are essential for them to interact with others. If this option of communication is eliminated, they usually feel secluded and cut off from the outside world.
Victims are also likely to feel disinterested with school. The affected individuals often have a high rate of absenteeism in schools. Cyberbullying victims usually skip attending school to avoid bullies or being embarrassed and humiliated by hateful messages. Moreover, their grades tend to change since they find it hard to pay attention in classes. In extreme cases, children drop out of schools or lose interest in furthering their studies. Another major effect of cyberbullying is illnesses. When teens are cyberbullied, they often get illnesses such as a headache and other physical diseases. Cyberbullying-related stress often causes stress-linked conditions such as stomach ulcers and skin diseases. Also, a victim of cyberbullying may experience changes in their eating habits and their sleeping patterns, which may, in turn, lead to malnutrition cases, insomnia, and many other conditions.
In risky circumstances, the act may also contribute to suicide attempts. Cyberbullying heightens the risks of suicide. Teenagers who are continuously tormented by their peers often begin to feel downhearted. Some even begin to feel like the only way to overcome this is through suicide. Hence, they map a picture about terminating their life to escape the torments. The only solution for these individuals is to communicate with them daily, take steps to assist them to overcome the miseries, and keep close tabs on the alteration in mood and behaviors.
Prevention and Solutions:
Cyberbullying is a significant problem affecting society. It is everyone's responsibility to stop the issue. There are several methods that people should adopt in fighting against cyberbullying. To start with, people should make use of the security features and internet privacy. Almost every website offers numerous security features and settings. Victims of cyberbullying need to understand ways to use the internet safety privacy settings efficiently. Some of the common elements include blocking, reporting the bully, or making your profile private. It is vital to ascertain the individuals with whom you are sharing your details. Schools also need to offer cyberbullying prevention programs. They should have programs that assist pupils in understanding cyberbullying. They should employ professional teams to educate students on ways to make use of Internet-based security tactics. Furthermore, students should learn how to handle cyberbullying acts with courage and report such cases to the relevant individuals immediately. Schools should also offer an open atmosphere and counseling sessions for the students to help detect, prevent, and eradicate the behavior. Moreover, the government needs to establish rules and regulations that prevent people against cyberbullying. Even though these laws exist throughout the world (Ahrens 126), there is a need to implement more detailed provisions and become more vigilant with cases of cyberbullying. These actions will help minimize the adverse impacts of cyberbullying if not finish it. There is an imperative need for approaches that will help stop cyberbullying. When one sees such behavior, it is essential first to assess the impact of bullying on the victim and then seek therapeutic and emergency assistance. Engage in a conversation with the affected individual about the approaches he or she can take to protect himself or herself from the issue. Show these individuals love and explain to them that they are not to blame and tell them that they always have power over the problem. In extreme cases of criminal activities, involve the police to handle the issue (Simmons 350). These activities may include extortion, harassment through messages or calls, threats, sexual exploitation, or stalking. It is always to remind the victims not to respond to cyberbullying, to save shreds of evidence of cyberbullying, and to try pinpointing the cyberbullies. In cases when the bullies are anonymous, one can seek help from internet service providers. The bully should then be reported to the relevant authorities so that actions can be taken towards them. It is advisable for one to make use of the best judgment and approach such situations with caution. Hiring a lawyer may also be necessary in extreme cases. Victims of cyberbullying should often encourage participating in extracurricular activities, which highlights the person's areas of strength.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is evident that cyberbullying has numerous adverse effects. The above information has highlighted and acknowledged the presence of cyberbullying among the adolescents through mobile phone and the anticipated role of the peer groups and gender status on social media. Indulgence in research attributed to advanced knowledge concerning cyberbullying and their implication on adolescents. Cyberbullying leads to adverse cases of suicides, poor performance, and illnesses. Victims of cyberbullying must understand how to overcome the issue and avoid giving personal consent to the bullies. Both the society and the government need to join hands and fight the issue before it gets out of hand and make the world a better place with no such problems.
Works Cited
Ahrens, Deborah. "Schools, cyberbullies, and the surveillance state." American Criminal Law Review, Fall 2012, p. 1695+. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.db29.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A330802224/OVIC?u=lincclin_vc c"sid=OVIC"xid=86b9f595. Accessed 2 Apr. 2018.
"Cyberbullying." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.db29.linccweb.org/apps/doc/PC3010999103/OVIC?u=lincclin_ vcc"sid=OVIC"xid=ef46e6a8. Accessed 2 Apr. 2018.
Edwards, Lynne, et al. "Cyberbullying, race/ethnicity and mental health outcomes: a review of the literature." Media and Communication, vol. 4, no. 3, 2016, p. 71+. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.db29.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A459001257/OVIC?u=lincclin_vc c"sid=OVIC"xid=929dbaef. Accessed 2 Apr. 2018.
Simmons, Kate D., and Yvette P. Bynum. "Cyberbullying: six things administrators can do." Education, vol. 134, no. 4, 2014, p. 452+. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.db29.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A374694688/OVIC?u=lincclin_vc c"sid=OVIC"xid=32d5dfb2. Accessed 2 Apr. 2018.
"STOMP Out Bullying." Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Gale, 2018. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.db29.linccweb.org/apps/doc/UMXMWA287688634/OVIC?u=l incclin_vcc"sid=OVIC"xid=b787029e. Accessed 2 Apr. 2018.
