Cyber Bullying and How to Prevent it

Our world is becoming smaller as digital media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram are connecting all corners of the globe in a way that allows people to share information instantly while hiding behind a screen. This sense of anonymity is making it easier for people to impulsively say what they want online with little repercussions. While technology continues to make it easier for people to act irresponsibly and inappropriately, it is important to do our part in keeping the internet safe.

O’Keefe et al define cyber bullying as, “Using digital media to communicate false, embarrassing, or hostile information about another person” (O'Keeffe et al, 2012, p. 801). As this problem continues to worsen, it’s important to try to understand why our youth feel that it’s okay to bully online. Cassidy et al conducted a survey, asking high school students reasons why they cyber bully. The following is a list of reasons provided by these students:

• They did not like the person
• The person upset them
• They were bullied first, so it was acceptable to bully back
• It was acceptable behaviour as they have friends who also do it
• They did it because it was fun

The following photo depicts what cyber-bullying can look like.

Figure 1. (Vakadewatabua, n.d.)

As negativity is contagious and easily spread, it’s our duty to counteract this with positive messages and comments by being digital leaders. George Couros defines digital leadership as, “Using the vast reach of technology (especially the use of social media) to improve the lives, well-being, and circumstances of others” (Couros, 2013). Jeremiah Anthony is a perfect example of how one person can spread positivity across a whole school. In the YouTube video, A Sincere Compliment, Jeremiah explains how he created a Twitter account as a way of sending positive messages to students from his school. He claims that this combats cyber bullying as cyber bullies focus on all that is negative, while ‘A Sincere Compliment’ focuses on the positive aspects (Anthony, 2013).

To learn more about Jeremiah’s story, click on the YouTube video below (Anthony, 2013).




Not all students may feel comfortable taking action the way that Jeremiah has. Some of the easiest ways of combating online bullying is to not participate in it. For students who fear ridicule or push back due to peer pressure, there are smaller, less public ways of combating online bullying.

The following is a list of ways of doing this (Vakadewatabua, n.d.).

• Never post hurtful things about anyone
• Be careful what you “joke” about
• Don’t respond to an inappropriate or mean message
• Don’t forward chain emails or rumors
• Proofread your message and think about what they say
• Don’t post anything personal about yourself or others
• Don’t post gossip online
• 
  Never tease, insult, threaten, or harass anyone
• Keep negative thoughts to yourself

Figure 2. (Vakadewatabua, n.d.)

Cyber bullying has been known to cause profound psychosocial outcomes on our youth, including depression, anxiety, severe isolation and suicide (O'Keeffe et al, 2012). It’s about time more people take a stance against this unnecessary online behaviour and start to fight for a more positive, caring and principled online world. Let’s use technology responsibly.

References

Anthony, J. (2013, January 2). A Sincere Compliment [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2InkWRc1zww

Cassidy, et al. (2009). Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, But How Can Pixels Hurt Me? Students’ Experiences with Cyber-Bullying. School Psychology International, 30 (4), 383-402. doi: 10.1177/0143034309106948

Couros, G. (2013, January 7). The Principal of Change [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/3584

O'Keeffe, et al. (2012). The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families. American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report, 127 (4), 800-804.

Vakadewatabua, S. (n.d.). Stop cyberbullying [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.sutori.com/story/cyberbullying-and-digital-drama--eJMNS7GxxCydG9ZFnCtMFevC
 

By: Marc Fortier