{"id":7686,"date":"2019-12-01T16:47:55","date_gmt":"2019-12-01T16:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.phambano.org.za\/uncategorized\/cyberbullying-2019-16daysofactivism\/"},"modified":"2019-12-01T16:47:55","modified_gmt":"2019-12-01T16:47:55","slug":"cyberbullying-2019-16daysofactivism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.phambano.org.za\/staging\/cyberbullying-2019-16daysofactivism\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyberbullying | 2019 #16DaysOfActivism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cyberbullying on Social Media – what is it and how can you prevent it by Dove South Africa<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today’s digital age, image plays a more prominent part in young people’s lives than in previous generations. In a world of selfies and social media, ever-present camera-phones and easy-to-use editing software, it’s hardly surprising that appearance is particularly important to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Cyberbullying on social media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using these technologies and social media platforms for malevolent purposes is what\u2019s defined as \u2018cyberbullying\u2019. A study by the Anti-Bullying Alliance in the UK shows that almost half (45%) of parents are concerned that their child is being bullied online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they’re right to be worried \u2014 research shows more than half of teenagers have experienced cyberbullying. As with face-to-face bullying, it\u2019s humiliating for victims, and most don\u2019t tell their parents when it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBullying is as old as time,\u201d says Lisa Lister, wellness educator, creator of The Sassy She website, and member of the Dove Self-Esteem Project Advisory Board. \u201cBut today\u2019s young people have a new range of tools to do it with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effects of cyberbullying<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the major differences between online and offline bullying \u2013 and one that makes cyberbullying especially insidious \u2013 is that victims of cyberbullying have nowhere to hide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve ever been bullied, you’ll know what an ordeal it is. As well as the physical or emotional pain of the bullying itself, there’s the constant fear of the next attack and the damage to your confidence and self-esteem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home, and especially a young person\u2019s bedroom, would have been a sanctuary from this kind of victimisation in the past. But now, in the place where he or she should feel most safe, your child is still within a cyberbully\u2019s reach \u2013 through a text message, email, social media post or humiliating YouTube video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why cyberbullies bully<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another major difference between the two is that online forms of bullying allow a degree of anonymity for the bully, thanks to the digital screen between the cyberbully and their victim. This may mean the taunts and teasing are more extreme than those that take place in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the online world, a cyberbully often operates with less guarded behaviour \u2013 a concept known as \u2018disinhibition\u2019, which can see people act in ways they wouldn\u2019t face-to-face. Because the bully doesn\u2019t have to directly witness the effects of their cruel words and taunts or deal with real-life confrontation, it emboldens them to bully more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyberbullying also means the taunts are open to a much bigger audience and are harder to control. An unpleasant image, that may even have been doctored, can spread far and wide if posted by a bully to a social network or website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact on cyberbullying victims<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not surprising that cyberbullying hits young people hard and is connected to depression, substance use<\/a> and in some tragic cases, even victims taking their own lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a parent, be aware of the specific dangers of cyberbullying and the potential risks to your child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of cyberbullying<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cyberbully can use the internet’s cloak of anonymity to indulge in particularly cruel forms of bullying, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n