The dark world of cyberbullying

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter may be the main social networks used to keep in touch with friends, but, worryingly, they are also the main sites used for cyberbullying and internet trolling.

Over 50 per cent of young people have reported being bullied online or via their mobile phone. Cyberbullying is by no means a new issue, but with an increasing number of social media sites, and access to technology, it is one that is increasingly affecting young people around the world.

Cyberbullying, also known as digital, or technology-assisted bullying, can be especially harmful or distressing due to several factors. Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullies often post images of the victim with offensive posts or hurtful comments. Such images can be shared with not just the victim’s friends and family but also with millions of people around the world. Bullies can anonymously abuse their victims as they hide behind false names or profiles.

Barbara Coloroso is an internationally-recognized teacher, speaker and author of The Bully, The Bullied, and The Not-So-Innocent Bystander, who specializes in education, guidance and the criminal justice system. She explains how cyberbullying has increased in recent years:

“The Bully, The Bullied, and The Not-So-Innocent Bystander was first published in 2003. By 2006 I had to update it with an entire chapter on cyberbullying. In the most recent 2015 edition, cyberbullying is no longer separate to ‘traditional’ bullying. The online and the offline world has merged and cyberbullying is no longer a separate entity.”

One of the biggest issues around cyberbullying and, its increase, is that lawmakers have struggled with its definition. Some say that bullying (including cyberbullying) has to happen repeatedly and often to constitute ‘bullying’. However Coloroso, alongside many other eminent authors on the topic, suggest that it can, in fact, be a one-time occurrence. And once is all it takes to cause significant long-term damage. If an offensive image or post is put online, for example, then that image or post can last forever.

While parents and teachers have a duty of care when it comes to online safety, the best way to prevent cyberbullying is to educate young people. It’s important to remember that most children who are bullied online know their bullies, according to Coloroso, so it’s a good idea to watch out for issues at school and at home.

Coloroso has suggested three key points that parents and teachers should encourage children to remember when posting online:

“Firstly, we must encourage children to be digitally savvy; they need to know how the technology works and that what they post can last a long time. Secondly, we must teach them digital-civility by asking: ‘It this post/comment true? Is the post/comment necessary? Is this post/comment kind?’ Thirdly, children must know how to be digitally safe and ensure they are not vulnerable when online.”

http://blogs.ibo.org/blog/2016/03/03/the-dark-world-of-cyber-bullying/

According to Coloroso, the best way to prevent cyberbullying is to educate young people. Which of the tips below she doesn´t believe?