Evil Is on Social Media Too.
Social Media used to be an option, and privilege during the first years but as times change and technology seems to advance faster, it has become more of a requirement over the last decade to join the online world with the educational system and corporate culture including social media as a new tool. Therefore, even if people wouldn't think they'd be missing out on the latest trends on the internet, they'd still have to log in for work or study. There's nothing wrong with renewing and refreshing methods of communication as long as the places where it's required to put these new methods in practice count with effective regulation and monitoring policies to ensure the users are safe, and the media is used accordingly. However, that has not been the case for quite a while now since Cyberbullying has been present for years and is still an ongoing problem that affects mostly (but is not limited to) young people across the globe every day. This reflects how while social media serves as a tool for connection and communication to some, it might be a nightmare to deal with for this vulnerable part of the public making the internet a double-edged sword. The consequences of cyberbullying are serious and urgent and for that professional experts around the world have been working on research to develop and propose plans to eradicate cyberbullying for good.
In the article "Cyberbullying and the mental health of Adolescents," authors Faye Grech and Mary Anne Laurie share the incidence and effects of cyberbullying investigated through a sample of 367 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16. According to Grech and Laurie, cyberbullying is an intentional and repeated aggressive act in an electronic context such as social media platforms, text messages, online games, etc. against a person who cannot easily defend oneself. This type of bullying travels faster and targets a much larger audience, although it generally targets individuals with certain characteristics. Some of them tend to be adolescents between 13-17 years old, with a higher number of reports of female victims, LGBTQ+ members, immigrants, and physically disabled people. Cyberbullying can include sending offensive pictures or messages, mocking, spreading false rumors, and excluding someone from a chat group with the purpose of hurting the victim. The authors report that "approximately half of the adolescents experience cyberbullying while more than half report witnessing frequent online bullying with most students failing to report it" (Grech and Laurie 20). Another article titled "Prevalence and Related Risks of Cyberbullying and Its Effects on Adolescents" reported that "A meta-analysis examining the association between peer victimization, cyberbullying, and suicide in children and adolescents indicates that cyberbullying is more intensely related to suicidal ideation than traditional bullying" (Gohal, Gassem, et al, 16,17)
Many people have probably heard about online harassment since it unfortunately happens every day but somehow it seems like there's not enough information out there about the impact this problem has on the victims and the perpetrator. Grech presented additional evidence collected from the EU Kids Online European study that reflects a correlation between cyberbullying and several psychopathological symptoms among the victims such as depression, phobic anxiety, internalizing and externalizing problems, body image dissatisfaction (leading to eating disorders), interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia, and psychoticism. Grech adds that long-term consequences of cyberbullying also include hyperactivity, conduct issues, low pro-social behaviors, smoking, intoxication, and psychosomatic symptoms such as headaches, and "those who have experienced consistent cyberbullying are more likely to engage in criminal behavior later on in life" (Lodge, as cited in Grech and Laurie 22). In addition, ". . . some cyberbullies admit that they themselves were bullied at a particular time", which leads to the conclusion that victims becoming perpetrators is another possible consequence of the misuse of social media. These consequences show that cyberbullying is more than just "a little bit of mockery" or a "kids' game". Cyberbullying is a problem that should be urgently addressed since young people who are victims of cyberbullying experience mild to severe mental issues that potentially affect every aspect of their lives, putting their futures at stake and, in the worst cases, leading to suicide.
Thanks to the awareness that has been carried out for years and the search for solutions by psychology and pedagogy experts, teachers, advisers, and social workers, there are several alternatives that individually or combined could mean the end of online bullying. Davis Nancy and Caryn Schmidt presented the three-tiered model for schools specifically designed for institutions to address any abusive social media behavior. The three-tiered model provides a comprehensive plan that is both inclusive and individualized, depending on the tier.
The first tier is focused on establishing clear definitions of cyberbullying and any other type of abuse that could take place on social networks, among with the creation of policies designed by and to be used jointly by all students, parents, teachers, administrators, and all types of school personnel. This is the most important part of any anti-cyberbullying plan since the way in which cyberbullying and its consequences are perceived can be a key factor in taking consistent action and succeeding in intervention work. The second tier is strategies to approach those students who have been identified as at risk of potentially being cyber-victims or cyberbullies. For this, the role of parents and teachers or school staff in monitoring the students' behavior or changes in mood, their academic development, and the way they interact with each other and the teachers is essential. There wouldn't be a better way to spare the consequences of cyberbullying than being alert and preventing potential abuse cases. The third and last tier is in charge of reaching out to students with severe needs including those who are already cyberbullies or victims and those who have referred to peers or school personnel inappropriately, using disrespectful expressions, violence, or threats. We all know that cyberbullying cases are very similar but since each case is different, this tier makes sure to intervene accordingly to the particular case of cyberbullying being handled at the time. This model promises a decrease in the number of cyberbullying cases since its appropriate application prevents the situations before they arise, takes action when it occurs, and installs the absolute rejection of this type of malicious behavior at all times. It should be implemented by all schools and households as well since cyberbullying can hunt the victim even in the "safety of their own rooms".
Another alternative that would be of immense support to the fight against cyberbullying comes from technology. Experts in Artificial Intelligence (Shibly, F.H.A., et al. 435) are continuously working on the development of deep learning and machine learning. These mechanisms propose the monitoring and regulation of algorithms that can automatically detect and control cybercrime. It is faster and more practical than the school models but it must also be continuously updated since the changes in communication and advances in technology seem to move faster every day.
We all would love to enjoy the benefits of technology and social media without having a single worry but unfortunately, that's not the reality for everyone. There are millions of children and adolescents who don't feel safe while login into their accounts, dealing with abuse and witnessing harassment online every day. Cyberbullying is a threat to the youngest generations and their futures and we must take action as friends, parents, teachers, or even victims and work together by promoting the responsible use of the Internet, reporting cases, and taking action when someone is being abused.
