The Dangers of Cyber Bullying

Information technology has greatly increased our opportunity for communicating with each other. Mobile phones, the internet, social networking sites and chat rooms allow us to stay in contact, share our thoughts, make new friends and interact with poeople all over the world. The dark side of this is that, in some cases, the same technology is used to humiliate or threaten people.

What is bullying?

Cyber bullying did not appear out of the blue. Bullying, which means repeatedly hurting, humiliating or frightening someone, has been a problem in schools for many years. Think of a student who picks a classmate just because the person is weak or different and starts to make their life difficult by calling them names, threatening them, damaging their things, beating them or making them do things they do not want to do. What may seem innocent fun to the bully can really hurt the victim, not only physically but also emotionally, and result in serious psychological problems. Before long, the victim may find it difficult even to attend school.

What is cyber bullying?

Cyber bullying has the same goal- to hurt someone- but it is done via the internet and mobile phones. It can take many forms: sending offensive text messages or emails, spreading rumours or personal information, impersonating somebody online, or creating a website that insults a specific person (called a slam book). Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyber bullying can be done anonymously. When a student decides to make fun of someone by digital means, he or she often does so thinking the victim doesn´t know who he or she is. Therefore the bully feels protected from punishement. Also, students who are bullied in reality may use cyber bullying to get back at their tormentors. The computer gives them the power they feel they lack in person.

Who are the bullies?

A typical feature of bullies is that they are extremely egoistical. They are psychically and mentally strong, but morally underdeveloped- they cannot see the suffering of others. They get excited by seeing the fear in the eyes of their victims and feeling the power over them. They want to repeat the experience again and again- it is similar to drug addiction.

The motives for bullying are varied. It may be the desire to be the centre of attention or simple boredom. Many bullies face failure at school, they are jealous of their more succesful classmates and see bullying as a way to strengthen their self-confidence.