Cyberbullying: Understanding Bystanders’ Behavior

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Introduction
With the rise of internet and electronic technology, bullying has evolved from its traditional schoolyard setting to a more pernicious form: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is defined as “the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person” (Kidshealth, 2012). The diverse means include but are not limited to: text messages, phone calls, emails, social networking websites, chat rooms, and instant messenger services. Adolescents constitute the population most susceptible to aggressive and harassing online behavior whether as victims, perpetrators or witnesses. More often than not, the online identity directly transcribes offline social status and both influence each other in a chicken and egg dilemma. Cyberbullying is a major hindrance to the educative, psychological and social well-being of children; in extreme cases, it has led to depression, nervous breakdown and suicide. Meanwhile, unsuspecting parents bemoan their children’s constant use of a technology they see as addictive and,-ignorant of the dangers and prevalence cyberbullying- consider internet predators as a bigger threat. (In 2011, 33% of teenagers have been victims of online bullying according to the Cyberbullying Research Center). Cyberbullying has a viral nature, ergo, the repercussions of have a quicker and more permanent impact at a larger scale, are harder to quench and nearly impossible to contain. Identifying the persecutors is also much more difficult due to anonymity features and the possibility to create a fake online identity. Furthermore, the polymorphous aspect of technology renders cyberbullying boundless. As a result, the torment and oppression seem more constant. Nonetheless, online bullying is as much a g...

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...chology. Belmont, CA: Cengage Wadsworth.
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