Reality of Cyberbullying: Understanding Its Impact and Prevention
Cyberbullying is a serious problem in today’s digital world. With the rise of social media and online communication, bullying no longer happens only in schools or public spaces. It can occur at any time through phones and online platforms, making it difficult for victims to escape. Cyberbullying is defined as the intentional and repeated use of digital media to harm others. It often involves a power imbalance, where the bully uses anonymity, popularity, or technical skills to control or intimidate the victim. Because people can hide behind screens, they may act more cruelly than they would in real life. Moreover, online content also spreads quickly and can stay online for a long time, increasing the harm caused.
Cyberbullying has unique characteristics that distinguish it from traditional bullying. One key feature is anonymity, which allows bullies to hide their identity and avoid immediate consequences. This often leads to repeated attacks, as they feel less accountable for their actions. Another important feature is permanence. Harmful messages, photos, or videos can be shared and reshared, making the damage long-lasting and difficult to control. Researchers commonly identify three elements of cyberbullying: intent to harm, repetition, and power imbalance. However, in online environments, repetition can occur even when a single post is shared multiple times by different users.
Globally, these traits drive high prevalence; for instance, lifetime cyberbullying victimization among youth rose from 33.6% in 2016 to 58.2% by 2025, while past-30-day rates increased from 16.5% to 32.7%. A WHO study across 44 countries found 15% of adolescents (1 in 6) experienced cyberbullying (16% girls, 15% boys), up from 13% and 12% in 2018, while 12% admitted cyberbullying others (14% boys, 9% girls). It shows that cyberbullying is not simply offline bullying moved online, but a distinct form of aggression shaped by digital platforms and online culture. The 24/7 nature of the internet and the wide audience involved increase pressure on victims and blur the boundary between public and private spaces.
The Impact of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying has serious psychological, social, and academic consequences. Victims often experience stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Because online attacks can happen at any time, victims may feel constantly threatened, which affects their emotional well-being. In more severe cases. Socially, victims may withdraw from friends and family to avoid embarrassment or further harm. Academically, emotional distress can lead to difficulty concentrating and lower academic performance. The impact is not limited to victims alone, but also to potential ones. Bystanders who frequently witness online harassment may become desensitized, allowing harmful behavior to continue. A long-term exposure to cyberbullying can also leave lasting psychological effects, especially among children and adolescents who are still developing emotionally.
Prevention of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is often underreported because victims fear being judged or believe that online abuse will not be taken seriously. Effective prevention requires cooperation between individuals, schools, families, online platforms, and policymakers. Education plays a central role by promoting digital literacy and teaching ethical online behavior. Schools can help students recognize cyberbullying and encourage them to report incidents safely. Parents should maintain open communication with children about their online activities while respecting privacy. At the platform level, social media companies need stronger moderation systems, clear reporting tools, and consistent consequences for abusive behavior. Legal measures and child protection policies also reinforce accountability and deter harmful actions.
From a communication perspective, prevention emphasizes transforming hostile online interactions into supportive dialogues through digital empathy training, where users learn to interpret emotional cues behind text and respond with compassion rather than aggression. This involves establishing clear communication norms, such as pausing before posting, using positive language, and fostering inclusive online communities that shift power dynamics from domination to mutual respect. When education, technology, and policy work together, safer online environments can be created.
Cyberbullying is a harmful result of how digital communication is used. Its constant and public nature makes it especially damaging. By understanding its nature, recognizing its impact, and working together on prevention, society can create safer and more respectful online spaces.
Reference
Kumar, V. L., & Goldstein, M. A. (2020). Cyberbullying and adolescents. Current Pediatrics Reports, 8(3), 86–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-020-00217-6
Slonje, R., Smith, P. K., & Frisén, A. (2012). The nature of cyberbullying, and strategies for prevention. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(1), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.05.024
World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, March 27). One in six school-aged children experiences cyberbullying, finds new WHO/Europe study. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/27-03-2024-one-in-six-school-aged-children-experiences-cyberbullying–finds-new-who-europe-study
Donegan, R. (2012). Bullying and Cyberbullying : History , Statistics , Law , Prevention and Analysis
Written by: Thrya Abdulraheem Motea Al-aqab
Edited by: Meigitaria Sanita
