Before we begin our analysis, let us define cyberbullying first. It is the use of technology and social media to harass, threaten, embarrass, or just do anything with bad intention to the targeted person. Any gadget can be used such as cellphones, laptops – any gadget that can reach any social media platform. It can be in the form of text, calls, Instagram, group chats, photos – just anything that makes the targeted person feel so bad.
As we have indicated in our title, cyberbullying is now a pandemic. Unlike COVID-19 that can be prevented through vaccine, no medicine as of this time, is available in the market to cure it. We believe that all countries in the world now already have bullying laws in place to address traditional bullying, but it was only recently that the growing number have online bullying or electronic harassment provisions have been created.
According to studies, over 60% of children and 40% of adults are being bullied everyday by cyberbullies. Without doing anything, and based from the current trends, such percentage is likely to increase in the near future.
It always starts in social media. The platforms in the social media are intended to unite peers, but with cyberbullying, they have the opposite desired effect. They instead can be weaponized to harass and bully others. 
How many kids and teeners are being bullied in the internet every day? And they do it not once or twice, but many, many times. The targeted person is being ignored and disrespected. It is the most common forms of cyberbullying. Fat kids in elementary, middle school or senior high school have had their feelings hurt online. Body shaming is a common issue.
Because of cyberbullying, many people commit suicide. There are studies conducted in the United States that says many incidences of suicide were caused by cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying negatively affect a person’s life. It contributes to many mental health problems, and may even cause anxiety and depression, that might eventually lead to suicide or any form of self-harm.
The prevalence of cyberbullying in adolescence is clear. It doesn’t matter what country we are talking about – what’s clear is that cyberbullying is really happening, and they greatly affect their decision-making, even their life as a whole. And if you think that consulting psychologists or school counselors will help, we are not very confident with that, except, if the one seeing the psychologist is the bully himself.
Teasing, name-calling, put-downs, and even aggressive bullying behavior that leads to physical or mental harm have always been around, not only in the cyberworld but in real life in any setting. Bullying is now modernized in a large way, with the rise of modern technology — in a very negative way.
May we ask … who among you has never experienced cyberbullying? We believe that at least once in your lifetime, you were harassed online or through any social media platform. Being in the social media amplified the scale and scope of the problem, as many people today, from age three to 93, spend ever-increasing amounts of time online. The internet is under access 24-hour a day. The anonymity of the internet encourages cyberbullying. Anyone can make a fake account and harass someone. They torment the victim with their malicious posts, with the intention of provoking or harming the target person.
Bullying occurs anywhere, whether physically or virtually but the effect is just the same. It can be life-changing. Not only psychologists and counselors can help the victim. The victim’s family should support the individuals being harmed by bullying. It can have a big impact to the victim, knowing that someone is on his side. Family support helps the victim to recover and cope.
Bullying can range from general taunting or teasing to physical confrontations and attempts to intentionally degrade a person’s well-being. But whatever it is, bullying will be a scar that they will carry for the rest of their lives, unless properly cured – if there is a cure.
The effects of cyberbullying are different for every victim, but can often be intense. The first step to combat it is to identify the negative impact on young victims.
If it is emotional effects, it includes humiliation, isolation, anger, and feelings of powerlessness. It can also be mental effects that include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, academic difficulties, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.
Another one is behavioral effects that include drug and alcohol use, missing school, carrying a weapon, and engaging in risky sexual behavior.
And lastly, physical effects which include gastrointestinal problems, eating disorders, and sleep disturbances.
Cyberbullying may not necessarily be more dangerous than other types of bullying, but it presents a unique challenge to psychologists. Of course, they have strategies and methods that could help the victim to overcome the effects, but only the victim can help himself.
Unfortunately, many victims refuse to share their experiences about the bullying. Children may feel fearful or ashamed of the bullying, or they may be worried that their electronic devices may be taken away from them. At this point in time, youngsters cannot survive a day without gadgets. Bullying may be viewed as just a phase of growing up and could be brushed aside. Really it is difficult for counselors to encourage the victims to speak out.
With the growing number of suicides attributed to cyberbullying, it seems like the problem is not being resolved. Rather, it complicates every day. When a victim asks for help, any family member should be prepared to help. If there’s a need to consult a psychologist, do it.
When dealing with counseling issues that affect children, family members should be involved especially the parents. Of course, family members should be the first to know as they are the first line of defense. It should be automatic that parents are involved in cases like this. Cyberbullying is a serious matter, and it is a valuable opportunity to talk to them regarding their child’s welfare. Steps should be taken at home to protect and support their child. They should also observe their children, and if they see signs of withdrawal or depression, approach the victim, and think of a way to make him share the experience. Discuss the situation with other family members. If possible, have a forum to discuss the problem. Help the victim come to terms with the reality of cyberbullying and get the appropriate response to it. Parents whose children are being cyberbullied may be angry or may want to seek retribution, but we don’t recommend that. It is better to exercise reason and understanding when focusing on how to help their child than to take revenge.
The key to successfully treat the cyberbullying victim, is to approach the bully himself and understand what causes his cyberbullying behavior. The problem for sure is within him. He might have mental problems. People doing the bullying don’t realize their behavior qualifies them as bullies. They don’t realize that the are having mental disorder that’s why they are doing the bullying.
Some do the bullying because they wanted to fit in in a group. Meaning, they are being bullied into being a bully. Meaning, they are not really bullies. It just so happens that they are weak, that they are being bullied to become bullies. ROSE CATHERINE LEANNE BILOG
