Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, also known as electronic bullying or online social cruelty, is defined as bullying through:

-email

-IM Instant Messaging

-chat rooms

-website

-gaming site

-cell phone messages or image

There are several unique characteristics of cyberbullying including:

-Anonymity: A student who bullies through traditional means is more easily recognized and identified.  A Cyberbully is often anonymous – this adds to the stress of not knowing who the bully is.  Research has shown that about half of those who had been cyber bullied did not know who had bullied them (Rutgers SDFSC Project, HIB Prevention and Intervention Strategies.)

-Disinhibition: The anonymity afforded by the internet can lead children to engage in behaviors online that they might not engage in face to face

-Accessibility: Cyber bulling can happen any time of the day or night.

-Punitive Fears: There is often fear of retribution on the part of the cyber bullying victim. Often an adults/parents response is to take away computer or phone privileges in an effort to “protect” their child.  In the victim’s eyes this is seen as a punishment.

-Ambiguous Bystander Roles: Most traditional bullying occurs in the presence of other people who assume the role of bystander or witness.  However, a bystander in the cyber world is different as they see the harmful material online, in a message or on a website.

Adapted from “Susan Limber Discusses Bullying in the Digital Age”