Have you or your child ever been bullied online? Do you know what is the appropriate term to describe this type of bullying? Here is a comprehensive guide that shows you what cyberbullying is, its different types and images that may occur and the reasons for its occurrence, and signs that may appear on your child telling you that he is suffering from cyberbullying but he hides it from you, in addition to some carefully chosen tips to guide you on how to deal with these situations wisely, so be sure to Read the following paragraphs carefully.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is a type of bullying or abuse through the use of technology, which occurs on social media, messaging platforms, electronic gaming platforms, or via mobile phone messages. Images of this type of bullying include:

• Spreading lies or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone on social media.
• Sending abusive messages, threatening messages, pictures or videos through messaging platforms.
• Impersonating a person, sending abusive messages to others on their own or by creating fake accounts in their name, and using them in an abusive way to others.

Types of cyberbullying

The most common forms of cyberbullying include:

• Offensive language: This method includes using abusive language when talking about someone, or posting vulgar messages about them for fun.
• Defamation: This method involves sharing personal and embarrassing information about a person on the Internet.
• Comic publications: This method involves posting content or comments, often offensive images, online, with the aim of gaining likes and embarrassing the person concerned.
• Insults: This method involves using insults or an offensive description of the person when speaking to them, and having others use that description.
• Spreading rumours: It includes spreading lies or fabricated rumors about the person on social media platforms.
• Electronic stalking: It includes continually stalking, threatening, and harassing the person through their online accounts on social media.

Signs of cyberbullying

Many children or adolescents who are subjected to cyberbullying tend not to share what is happening with them with their parents or with teachers, due to feeling embarrassed or afraid of losing their phone or computer, so there are some signs that may help you know if your son or daughter is are subjected to bullying, including the following:

• Feeling uncomfortable during and after using the phone or computer.
• Act very privately about their online activities.
• Spending more time than usual in their room.
• Loss of interest in family activities, and distancing from family members and close friends.
• Avoid any gatherings, especially at school.
• Decrease in educational level, rebellion.
• Changes in mood, behaviour, sleeping and eating habits.
• Suddenly wanting to stop using any devices connected to the Internet.
• Acting awkwardly or strangely when a message or email arrives.
• Avoid any discussion involving online activities.

Reasons for cyberbullying

Almost everyone wonders why this type of bullying occurs, or why someone might harass someone on the Internet, sometimes for no apparent reason. So, after reviewing the available data and studies, some of the reasons for cyberbullying include the following:

1. Having psychological problems:

The bully himself may suffer from psychological problems related to their abusive behavior. Sometimes the bully suffers from problems with anger, irritability, and sometimes drug use. In other cases, the bully may suffer from personality problems such as narcissism, or a lack of empathy for others, so he resorts to using bullying to feel powerful and superior to others.

2. The bully is himself a victim of bullying.

Sometimes a person may turn into a cyberbully after being cyberbullied before, where he is looking for any sense of power after being a victim of himself for a long time, so he starts abusing others.

3. Bad breakups:

This type of bullying can occur between two people after the relationship between them (friendship or emotional relationship) ended badly, as one of the parties may harass the other via the Internet and spread rumors or embarrassing information about him, with the aim of revenge or jealousy.

4. Being bored:

Some studies indicated that some people do this bullying as a result of their feeling of boredom, or as a result of their desire to try something different or to have a different personality on the Internet, and this type is usually done anonymously.

5. Loneliness and isolation:

Studies indicate that most cyberbullies feel isolated from reality, feel lonely, and do not belong to society.

The effects of cyberbullying on victims

Victims of cyberbullying are exposed to many different types of harm, some of which may be more severe than those suffered by victims of other types of bullying, including: Effects of cyberbullying the following:

• Feeling stressed and anxious all the time.
• Increased feelings of depression and mood swings.
• Having trouble sleeping.
• Suicidal ideation or suicide attempt.
• Increased sense of fear.
• Decreased sense of self-confidence.
• Social isolation.
• Avoid all previously preferred activities.
• The deterioration of the educational level.
• Difficulty with relationships and mistrust of friends and family.
• Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Self-harm such as cutting or hitting the head on any surface.
• Drug Addiction.
• Increased feelings of anger and increased tantrums.

How to deal with cyberbullying

In the event that a child or your teenage son or daughter is subjected to cyberbullying, here is what you can do as parents or as responsible persons in this case:

• Be sure to offer support and empathy, by talking about any experiences of cyberbullying you have experienced yourself and how you overcame them, so that the child or teen does not feel alone.
• Be sure to tell the child or teen that it is not his fault, and be sure to praise your child for being brave in the face of something like this, reminding him that he is not alone, and that you will work it out together.
• The school must be informed of any cyberbullying that occurs, but the child or adolescent must be informed of this step before it is implemented, so as not to give an adverse effect.
• Encourage your child or son not to respond to cyberbullying, as this may worsen the situation and the problem.
• The need to keep records or photos of threatening messages and keep a copy of offensive photos or videos, as they can be used later as evidence.
• The need to seek the help of a psychiatrist or work with a school psychologist, to help a child or adolescent deal with the feelings resulting from being victims of cyberbullying.

To avoid cyberbullying in the future, the following can be done:

• Block the bully from all technology and communication platforms used.
• Reducing access to electronic devices, and it is preferable to place them in an open place for everyone inside the house, and limiting the times of using mobile phones or games.
• Monitoring social media, as many applications are now available that can give parents an alert when abusive messages or pictures of a child arrive.
• It is necessary to know the sites that interest your child or your son, and this may provide an opportunity to increase communication between you and your child or your son, and not to feel afraid or embarrassed to share any problem that occurs with him.

Cyber ​​bullying or just a joke?

Sometimes some people have difficulty knowing whether what was shared on the Internet is cyberbullying or just a joke? If you’re having trouble telling the difference, remember the following:

All friends joke with each other online, but if you feel offended by the joke or feel mocked, it is not a joke, and if the person continues to harass you even after you tell them to stop, this can be considered cyberbullying. If you continue to feel bad and upset about what is happening, you should talk to a school official or your parents to solve the problem and avoid further abuse.

Message from us:

Dear readers, most of the victims of cyberbullying are just children or teenagers. They are confused between trying to belong to a place, and being embarrassed to tell you what is happening with them, but what is certain is that this type of bullying is one of the worst types of bullying that your son may be exposed to. Or your daughter, it is an unrealistic hypothetical situation, to which the conditions and factors of physical bullying do not apply, which increases its difficulty and loneliness, so it should never be underestimated.

It should also be remembered that social media and technology have become a very large part of the present and will increase their status in the future, and the psychological effects and damage that can result from exposure to cyberbullying are very real, and its consequences are serious.

Therefore, you must work to give your children a safe enough space to share what is happening with them, whether real or hypothetical, and always be careful to tell them that they are not alone in facing such situations, even if they are illogical for you as a father or as a mother. And may God protect all children and grant you good health and wellness.