Cyber Bulling Is Different From Face To Face Bulling.
Harassment, also called bullying, is a global problem that has always been present: it occurs in schools , offices and even in homes. The problem has been addressed by the police, school officials, governments, and various non-profit organizations alike. However, with the adoption of digital technology, a problem that existed only in the physical world spread to the online realm, and cyberbullying has become so widespread that the English term “cyberbullying” has earned a place in the Concise. Oxford English Dictionary.
Here’s a look at the differences between face-to-face bullying and online bullying.
Anonymity
In face-to-face bullying, as the name suggests, you are very aware of who your bully, or the bullies, is. Even if the bullying is behind your back, they usually show it. On the other hand, cyberbullies have an additional advantage: the Internet can provide them with an additional layer of anonymity. Bullies hide behind pseudonyms and unrealistic profile pictures in public messages on social media or other platforms, keeping out of reach. Since victims do not know who their stalkers are, it decreases the chance that these individuals will be caught and allows them to carry out their actions without fear of punishment.
A public hearing
According to a Pew Research study, 59% of American teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. Unfortunately, the appeal of cyberbullying, aside from its anonymity, is the ease of access. Harassing someone face-to-face involves the assailant, the victim, and perhaps some bystanders. But, on the Internet, harassment can spread at incredible speeds and can take many forms, from offensive direct messages, public rumors, and private images of the victim. Worse yet: more than one stalker can add to this, setting up a snowball effect on the victim.
Be connected all the time
When it comes to bullying in its traditional form, it is easier to seek refuge, as the act itself depends on the physical proximity that the victim has with the bully. The same cannot be said for cyberbullying, as you are a target no matter where you are, as long as you are online… which is rarely avoidable in this digital age. You can go to sleep and wake up with a new series of threatening messages in your inbox or with the appearance of new rumors about you on the Internet. This kind of incessant harassment can even lead victims to feel unsafe in the place where they should feel safest: their homes.
No regrets
Cyberbullies tend to be more detached from their actions and, more importantly, from the consequences of their actions, as they do not have face-to-face interactions with their victims. To put it simply: since they cannot see the consequences of their actions on the victims, they tend to feel little or no remorse. This has been defined as the online disinhibition effect. In the case of cyberbullying, it is called toxic disinhibition and includes inappropriate or even antisocial behaviors such as hostile language or threats. People online can behave differently from how they behave in real life as they lose their inhibitions and believe that there will be no consequences for their actions.
Online is forever
You may have heard in a movie the phrase “What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas “, which refers to the privacy of an event. In the case of the web, what is uploaded to the Internet remains on the Internet and there it stays, although it is far from being private. It is difficult to completely remove anything that is uploaded to the web. Unfortunately, this also applies to rumors or images that cyber stalkers may post for others to see. In these cases, you can ask the service providers to censor the posts. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and other important services They have dedicated sections on their sites that will help you with that. There are even companies that specialize in searching for data and then ask websites to remove the information or at least make it difficult to search.
What to do if you are a victim of cyberbullying
Bullying, be it digital or face-to-face, is a very sensitive topic that can be very difficult to address. It affects everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or religion. Although it can make you feel isolated, always remember that you are not alone and that there are people who care about you, so don’t be afraid to seek help and express your problems.
Also, remember that it is not your fault and that you have not done anything to justify this type of behavior. No one deserves to be harassed under any circumstances, no matter who they are, what they look like, or what they believe in.
Don’t keep it to yourself; try to talk to someone you trust for help and support. It could be your parents, teachers, boss, or even health professionals.
Keep the evidence of cyberbullying suffered: print it, take a screenshot, save it as you can. They can be emails, blog posts, social media posts, or direct messages; just keep track of them. You will need evidence when reporting this behavior. Report the harassment on each of the services hosting the abuse, and if it’s happening in a forum, you can flag the comments. If you are still in school, it is important that you show the posts to your parents.
