Cyberbullying: A Growing Public Health Threat

In many ways, the emergence of cyberbullying was inevitable and predictable enough given the dark side of human nature. The introduction of the Internet and the corresponding anonymity it provides has created a public health threat that endangers everyone who uses online resources such as social media or forums, and young people in particular are at an elevated risk of becoming the victims of cyberbullying today. Despite the lack of physical confrontation, cyberbullying can still cause a wide range of mental and physical disorders, including even death due to suicide. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to provide a working definition of cyberbullying and to identify recent and current trends. Finally, a description of some of the health-related concerns that are caused by cyberbullying is followed by a summary of the findings in the conclusion.

Review and Discussion

The U.S. federal governments definition states that, Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets (Overview of Bullying 2023, 2). Because online resources provide multiple avenues for interaction with others, it is not surprising that people of all ages, but especially adolescents, are vulnerable to being victimized by cyberbullies. Moreover, even the normal use of email or cell phones can provide an avenue for cyberbullying attacks or essentially any online activity where other people are involved. In this regard, the federal governments Stop Bullying Web site emphasizes that, Cyberbullying can occur through SMS [Short Message Service], Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content (Overview of Bullying 4).

Like conventional bullying, cyberbullying can also assume a number of different forms. For instance, the Stop Bullying site provides some additional definitional clarity by reporting, Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about...

Conclusion

The research showed that cyberbullying is using some type of technology to harass, intimidate, threaten or otherwise harm others. In most cases, the technologies that are involved are social media platforms where young people spent an inordinate amount of their time each day. Unfortunately, the research was also consistent in showing that the prevalence of cyberbullying has increased significantly in recent years, due to a combination of the increased popularity of digital technologies and a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that forced everyone to adopt an altered, more isolated lifestyle for a period of time. Finally, cyberbullying was shown to have a wide range of harmful effects on its victims, including causing young people to take their own lives in response. Taken together, it is clear that cyberbullying represents a significant public health threat that demands action from lawmakers as well as parents…