Technology has made many advances, but it has also created many ways to harm a person. Cyberbullying, thanks to the immense growth of social networks, has become increasingly present and is a problem that has already raised many alarms, because it has claimed lives. In the following post, we will tell you what cyberbullying is, what types there are, how to identify if a child is suffering from it, how to prevent it and more.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying, or cyberstalking, is the use of digital technologies to constantly intimidate, threaten, embarrass or criticise a person, either through derogatory, aggressive or even threatening messages sent through social media, messaging apps or any online platform. Cyberbullying also encompasses the posting of personal content (such as photos or videos) without the person's consent, with the aim of hurting or embarrassing them.

Unlike in-person bullying, cyberbullying often occurs anonymously, leaving the victim unaware of who is behind the attacks. In addition, this type of bullying has the potential to go viral, exposing the victim to hundreds or even thousands of people in a short period of time. Because of its scope and frequency, it is a very complex problem.

Types of cyberbullying

As we briefly mentioned in the previous section, there are different formats of cyberbullying:

• Direct or personal harassment: messages, emails or posts sent or directed specifically at the victim containing offensive, derogatory and repetitive content.
• Defamation: publication of false or manipulated information with the intention of damaging a person's reputation or public image, whether through rumors or claims.
• Identity theft: when someone creates fake profiles on social media to impersonate the victim or other people, in order to defame them, send offensive messages in their name or deceive others in their environment.
• Exclusion: leaving a person out of online groups, events, or digital interactions, or removing them from groups and social circles they were previously a part of, with the intent purely to punish them or make them feel bad.
• Persistent harassment (stalking): constantly monitoring someone's online activity, including tracking their social media, comments, location, or even posting their personal information to intimidate them.
• Doxing: publishing private information (such as your address, phone number or family details) without consent, in order to create situations of risk or embarrassment.
• Harassment based on discrimination: offensive comments and messages that focus on personal aspects such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

What are its characteristics?

While all of the forms of cyberbullying mentioned in the previous section exist, they all have commonalities that make cyberbullying distinct from other forms of harassment. This list of characteristics:

• Anonymity of the stalker: in the vast majority of cases, cyberbullying occurs through fake profiles or anonymous accounts.
• Reach and virality: unlike in-person bullying, offensive or humiliating content can spread quickly and reach a large number of people in a very short time.
• Constant availability: cyberbullying knows no time or space limits. A victim can receive messages or attacks at any time of day and from any location.
• Content permanence: what is posted online is difficult to completely remove. Even if the harasser deletes the content, other users may have saved or shared it, prolonging the damage.
• Difficulty defending oneself: the virtual nature of cyberbullying makes it extremely difficult for witnesses or institutions to intervene or seek support, since the attacks occur in private and difficult-to-monitor spaces, such as direct messages or closed forums.

How do I know if my child is a victim of cyberbullying?

Detecting whether a child is being cyberbullied is not as easy as many people think, especially because many children and teenagers tend to hide their problems out of fear, shame or mistrust. However, there are signs that almost always indicate that something is wrong:

Behavioral changes

If your child starts to show sudden changes in his or her attitude or mood, such as sadness, anxiety, irritability or aggression, it is probably because something is happening and it may be cyberbullying. Although mood swings in teenagers are common, you must always be alert and never underestimate them.

Social isolation

Most children or teenagers who are cyberbullied avoid spending time with their friends or family, especially if the offensive or humiliating messages make them feel ashamed. They often try not to be questioned too much by turning down invitations or becoming very defensive.

Avoiding the use of electronic devices

If you notice your child avoiding their phone, computer, or other technology they used frequently, there's a good chance they're receiving negative messages or interactions online.

Sleep and appetite problems

Victims of cyberbullying often experience changes in their sleeping and eating patterns. Most commonly, they start having trouble sleeping or have recurring nightmares, but each person is different. Similarly, with appetite, some people have a bigger appetite and others have a smaller appetite.

Low academic performance

They have difficulty concentrating and maintaining their performance at school. If you notice a sudden drop in grades or academic commitment, it could be related to the stress of bullying.

Changes in self-esteem

Cyberbullying causes a decrease in self-esteem and self-perception. If your child starts to express negative thoughts about themselves, or seems less confident than before, it's because they may be dealing with hurtful messages. 

Self-destructive behaviors

In more severe cases, children and adolescents may resort to self-destructive or risky behavior as a way of coping with the emotional pain caused by cyberbullying.

Consequences of cyberbullying

As you can see, cyberbullying has a huge impact on all aspects of the life of the person who suffers from it, and therefore has deep and long-lasting consequences, especially for children and adolescents, who are at a much more vulnerable stage. Some of these possible consequences are:

Psychological impact

Constant exposure to bullying messages often leads to problems such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks and low self-esteem. People who are bullied online begin to doubt their worth, feel rejected and develop a negative self-perception. Also, cyberbullying often can lead to childhood anxiety.

Social isolation

Victims of cyberbullying feel ashamed or afraid to share their experience, which leads them to isolate themselves socially. What this means is that they start to avoid social activities, both online and offline, affecting their personal and social development.

Deterioration in academic or work performance

Having trouble concentrating can impact academic performance or work performance. The anxiety and stress generated by bullying can also translate into general disinterest or absenteeism.

Physical health problems

The psychological effects of cyberbullying are somatized, meaning they manifest physically in the form of headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep disorders such as insomnia or nightmares.

Self-destructive behaviors

In severe cases, cyberbullying leads to self-destructive behaviour such as self-harm or even suicidal thoughts. The emotional impact of this type of bullying causes victims to resort to extreme methods to try to escape the situation.

Difficulty trusting others

People who have been cyberbullied often develop a lot of distrust towards others, especially in online spaces. As a result, they limit their ability to build healthy relationships and to actively participate in social networks, for example.

How can we prevent cyberbullying?

Preventing cyberbullying is incredibly difficult because we can't control what people do with their devices. The only viable strategy is one that combines education, communication and setting clear boundaries. It's important to know that highly sensitive children might be more affected by online harassment. But there's a long road ahead, and it must be done as a community, so here's what you can do:

Encourage open dialogue

Talking about cyberbullying at home and at school is key to preventing it. Parents and educators alike must create a safe environment where young people feel comfortable sharing their online experiences and any uncomfortable or suspicious situations.

Educate about the responsible use of technology

Teaching children and teens about respect and empathy online is critical. They need to understand that their actions have consequences and that it's important to treat others with respect, even in virtual environments.

Set limits and supervision on device use

Clear limits should be set on social media and electronic device use, such as specific schedules or regular review of online activities. This not only helps protect children, but also teaches them healthy habits regarding technology use.

Promoting privacy on social networks

Make sure young people understand the importance of keeping their personal information private and how to properly configure the privacy settings on their social media profiles. This reduces the risk of exposure to strangers and potential bullies.

Cybersecurity training

Teach children and teenagers to identify and block users who try to intimidate or harass them, and to report inappropriate behavior. Knowing the security tools available on each platform is an effective preventive measure.

Model respectful behavior online

As adults, we must also behave in a respectful and empathetic manner in our digital interactions, as young people learn by observing. By showing how to interact positively online, we contribute to raising a more conscious and respectful generation.

Promote awareness campaigns

Cyberbullying campaigns in educational institutions or at community level are an excellent way to raise awareness and educate people about the issue. These initiatives help more people recognize the problem and know how to act in response to it.

Provide emotional support

It is essential to offer constant emotional support, especially in the family environment, so that young people feel safe talking about their experiences. Knowing that they have support allows them to develop resilience and confidence to face adverse situations.

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Conclusion

In short, we all want the best for our children and for them to have the best life possible. Although it is often not possible to avoid bullying situations, we can help them deal with the situation. The ideal is to be informed, educate and, above all, listen and pay attention.