Best Answer
Cyberbullying, which is defined as bullying that takes place over digital devices, is both similar to and different from traditional bullying. In addition, it can take place in isolation or in combination with traditional forms of bullying. It can involve a wide range of behaviors, including posing or sharing negative, harmful, mean, false, embarrassing, or humiliating information about the target. It can also involve harassing behaviors. Sometimes cyberbullying behaviors are criminal, and sometimes they are not. Cyberbullying can occur on social media, in emails, by text or DM, in SMS, in games, in forums, and in a variety of different apps.
While all bullying is harmful, cyberbullying has some special concerns that could make it more harmful than traditional bullying. First, it is often more widespread. It is easy for groups of people to bully a single individual in a cyber-environment. In addition, because of the anonymity and distance of the internet, some people who would not even consider engaging in bullying behavior in person may join in cyberbullying campaigns. In fact, people may be inadvertently involved in cyberbullying by sharing information that is part of a bullying campaign. Second, it is permanent. Even if bullying information is removed, anything that goes online is permanent and can be found. This means that even if the bullying stops or is stopped, it is always lurking as a threat to the victim. Even when information is false, it may be discoverable by colleges, future employers, future friends or significant others. It can follow the victim for an indefinite period of time. Because the bullying occurs online, it can be very difficult to detect. This is exacerbated by the fact that the apps and shorthand used by teenagers is constantly evolving, with parents and educators often steps behind the curve. Finally, cyberbullying can be persistent in a way that traditional bullying simply is not. Digital devices not only allow bullies to act 24 hours a day, but also let them into the victim’s home. This aspect has been heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many teens have to use digital devices to attend school or to have any type of social life.
