Bullying has been around for a long time, but technology has taken it to a whole new level. Using digital technology to deliberately and repeatedly harass, humiliate, embarrass, threaten, or intimidate a person is known as cyberbullying. In Part 1 of this series, I will be discussing how technology can be used for cyberbullying to deliberately hurt and harass a child, and its psychological effects on the victim.

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Given the large number of technological devices and applications, cyberbullying can be done in many different ways. A cyberbully can use mobile phone, text messages, email, and online games, or social media sites, such as Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, Snapchat and Instagram, to deliberately hurt, harass, or upset someone.


Some examples of cyberbullying include posting or sending threatening messages, inappropriate photos, and personal or hateful information online or circulating them through e-mail and cell phones. Masquerading as the victim by creating fake social media accounts, trolling or stalking them online, leaving them out of online games or social forums or harassing them in virtual environments or online games also constitute cyberbullying.


Since technology has pervaded our lives and the lives of our children in every way, cyberbullying can take place at home, school, and wherever people go online, leaving no place for the victim to hide from the tormentor. Statistics reveal that almost 43% of kids have been bullied online and 70% of students have witnessed online bullying frequently. Also, more than 80% of teenagers regularly use a cell phone, which has made it the most common medium for cyberbullying.


In comparison to other forms of bullying, the effects of cyberbullying on children are much more harmful and can lead to serious long-lasting problems. The stress of continued cyberbullying and the victim’s inability to remove themselves from the situation creates a constant state of fear, and affects their mood, energy, sleep and appetite. Children who face cyberbullying are often left with lower self-esteem and less interest in studies, and end up feeling alone, lonely and isolated, or even falling victim to substance abuse. The effects of cyberbullying can be much worse if the child is already struggling with depression or anxiety. Statistics reveal that victims of cyberbullying are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide.


In Part 2 of this series, I will be sharing some valuable tips on how you can protect your child from becoming a victim of cyberbullying and also deal with its effects.

If you or someone you know needs help in dealing with the effects of cyberbullying, contact Orly Gueron a Licensed marriage and family therapist and relationship specialist in Aventura, FL!