Preventing Cyberbullying

This report discusses the concept of cyberbullying and the measures that can be taken to prevent cyberbullying from occurring. It explores the effects of cyberbullying, tactics used, and the importance of reporting and supporting victims.

Running head: PREVENTING CYBERBULLYING
Preventing Cyberbullying
Name of Student
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Author Note

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PREVENTING CYBERBULLYING
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2
1. Cyberbullying..................................................................................................................2
2. Effects of cyber Bullying.................................................................................................3
3. Cyberbullying Tactics......................................................................................................4
4. Prevention of Cyberbullying............................................................................................5
4.1. Role of Health care Providers in preventing cyberbullying.....................................7
4.2. Reporting the cases of Cyberbullying.......................................................................7
4.3. Identifying and Talking to the Victim......................................................................8
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................8
References..........................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
The aim of the report is to discuss the concept of cyberbullying and the measures that can
be taken to prevent cyberbullying from occurring. Bullying that takes place through digital
devices such as cell phones, computers and the tablets. Cyberbullying occurs through SMS, text
and other social media application. The process of cyberbullying include sending, posting or
sharing of the negative or harmful content related to someone else. Cyberbullying further
involves sharing of personal and private information of someone else which can cause
embarrassment and humiliation to the person whose content is being shared (Hinduja & Patchin,
2014). Cyber bullying often causes the line leading unlawful criminal behavior. There are
various mediums of disseminating the cyber bullying, which include social media platforms such
as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. The use of short message services, email and
instant messages is common in cyber bullying (Brewer & Kerslake, 2015). Therefore, the
practice of cyberbullying gives rise to certain special concerns which are needed to be addressed.
Cyberbullying has the capability of harming the reputation of a person and therefore, prevention
of cyber bullying becomes a necessity. The following paragraphs discusses the concept of cyber
bullying and its preventive measures.
1. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a form of harassment that is executed by electronic means. Cyber
bullying therefore involves making use of technology to harass, threaten or embarrass a person.
Cyberbullying harms the online reputation of not only the person being bullied, but also
everyone who are related to the victim (Kowalski et al., 2014). Cyberbullying can be easily

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categorized as it has certain unique characteristics and concerns. The concerns related to
cyberbullying are as follows-
Persistent: Digital devices provides the ability of continuously communicating all throughout
the day (Whittaker & Kowalski, 2015). Thus a person who is experiencing cyberbullying finds it
difficult to find relief from cyber bullying.
Permanent: Cyberbullying leaves a huge impact on the victim particularly because most of the
information that is being communicated is thorough cyberbullying is permanent and public if
those information is not reported or removed (Lee & Shin, 2017). A negative online reputation of
a person who is being bullied can severely impact the person including their admission in
colleges, employment and social life. Therefore, permanent information presence can be
considered as a major concern related to cyber bullying.
Hard to Notice: Children and adults suffering from cyberbullying often becomes hard to notice
(Rice et al., 2015). The teachers and the parents of the victim may not overhear or see that their
friends or family members are suffering from cyberbullying.
A number of laws and sanctions are associated with cyberbullying as the frequency and
number of cyberbullying increases at a significant rate (Waasdorp & Bradshaw, 2015). The rate
of cyberbullying is increasing at an exponential rate mainly because this type of crime are
difficult to identify. However, cyberbullying can also happen accidentally. The impersonal
nature of the text messages or emails can even give rise to cyberbullying (Beran et al., 2015). It
has been observed that many people or kids are reluctant to report the cyberbullying.
2. Effects of cyber Bullying

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Bullying is no longer limited to the schoolyard as modern day bullying can happen both
in home and in school as well. Cyberbullying is dangerous as it can spread quite easily though
web. A long-term or frequent cyberbullying can leave both the victims and bullies at risk.
Cyberbullying experts say that the kids who are bullied, show high rate of suicidal tendency.
The negative effect of cyberbullying are therefore needed to be identified so that
preventive actions for the same can be identified (Van Geel, Vedder & Tanilon, 2014).
Cyberbullying has a prominent effect on children, teens and adults, who feel distressed when
they are bullied online. Cyberbullying has a significant effect on day to day life of an individual.
Repeated cyberbullying can not only affect an individual’s mental health but can also
drive an individual towards suicide (Aboujaoude et al., 2015). Therefore, prevention of
cyberbullying becomes a necessity. Therefore, it becomes quite essential to understand the
cyberbullying tactics. The cyberbullying tactics are indicated in the section below.
3. Cyberbullying Tactics
It is important to understand the process by which a person can be cyberbullied so that
preventive actions can be taken (Patchin & Hinduja, 2015). The following points indicate the
cyberbullying tactics that can help in recognizing the actions that can be taken for cyberbullying.
One of the most significant tactics that can help in detecting the cyberbullying include
posting comments or rumors about someone online which is hurtful and embarrassing. This is an
effective method of identifying cyberbullying.

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Another technique of identifying the cyberbullying technique is to identify the messages
that threatens to hurt someone from killing themselves. Posting mean or hurtful picture or video
can be another form of cyberbullying and should therefore, it should be identified and addressed.
Pretending to be someone else can be another sign of cyberbullying (Corcoran, Guckin,
& Prentice,2015). Pretending to be someone else indicate posting of personal and false
information about someone else.
Online harassment involves posting of the hateful names and comments about personal
characteristics of a person online.
The above discussed points indicates the process by which cyber bullying tactics can be
identified. However, cyberbullying can happen in a number of ways. Some cyberbullying can be
a low level harassment while the others can be serious, which can turn into interpersonal
violence. Some examples of cyber bullying include lies and false accusations, bullied for being
economically challenged and others.
Cyber bullying can be quite serious leading to self-harm or suicide. A case of a young
boy being harassed on social media for having a scar on his face was drafted (Bauman, 2014).
The boy was being called with derogatory names which drove him towards taking his own life.
Thus, it becomes quite essential to identify the cyber bullying tactics so that
cyberbullying can be prevented.
4. Prevention of Cyberbullying
The report discusses the major factors that makes it essential to prevent cyberbullying
from occurring (Fletcher et al., 2014). Data proves that not much researches have been

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performed on cyberbullying. From the above sections, it can be identified that the targets of
cyberbullying tend to report greater depression, risks, anxiety, behaviors and other suicidal
tendencies. Research on cyberbullying is relatively recent in comparison to the researches that
are being made on face-to-face bullying. Technological innovation have completely changed the
way people interact with one other. Although there are a number of advantages of cyberbullying.
With the help of technology, children and young individuals can communicate to anyone for
hours. Even a decade ego, technology was not that advanced where cyberbullying could have
been an issue. However, with the rapid increase in use of technology, cyberbullying increases as
well.
Cyberbullying has gradually increased to a point where cyberbullying is resulting in
serious crimes. Therefore, prevention of cyberbullying becomes a necessity. This section of the
report will be identifying the major cyberbullying techniques. A common strategy of
cyberbullying includes targeting a particular individual over social media (Hinduja & Patchin,
2014). The frequency and serious consequences of cyberbullying can be prevented by following
a planned approach. A number of initiatives can be taken in order to prevent cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying prevention and intervention are necessary in order to save the youths and children
from getting harassed online. There methods of prevention of cyberbullying is indicated in the
paragraphs below-
Cyber bullying can be prevented by making use of various informational websites and tip
sheets. Although the fact is established that the cyberbullying prevention and intervention is
necessary, there are no consensus on preventing or addressing the cyberbullying.

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Since cyberbullying mainly targets young people and children, it is quite essential to keep
the parents inform about cyberbullying. There are certain websites that appears to target parents
to make them aware of cyberbullying (Wölfer et al., 2014). Various researches prove that parents
have a strong role to play on cyber bullying. Therefore, parents should be used to design certain
strategies that can help in targeting the cyberbullying. Parent should be proactive in
understanding the need of preventing cyberbullying. For that, they need to be aware of the
various causes and tactics that criminals might employ for cyberbullying.
Identification of the cause that is harassing the young adults and the children is necessary.
For addressing the issues and problems related to cyberbullying, parents are needed to be
informed and educated about cyberbullying and the factors that can affect an individual.
Apart from that, it is observed that the cyberbullying often arises from school and
colleges. The administration of school and college needs is neededed to be aware of the
cyberbullying techniques and should take necessary measures to ensure that the cyberbullying
does not start from school (Wölfer et al., 2014). Similar attempts are needed to be taken in order
to understand the impact of cyberbullying and for prevention of cyberbullying.
4.1. Role of Health care Providers in preventing cyberbullying
The healthcare provider can play a significant role in prevention of cyberbullying. In the
past few years the healthcare providers are urged to take an active initiative in prevention of the
long term health consequences that is related to cyberbullying. Healthcare providers might have
a good knowledge about cyberbullying as they have to handle a number of patients suffering
from the same (Wölfer et al., 2014). Health care providers can act as a motivator of victims of

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cyber bullying and can urge them not to take any drastic step. Therefore, this is an effective
measure that can be taken by the healthcare provider to eliminate cyberbullying.
4.2. Reporting the cases of Cyberbullying
One of the preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the ill effect of cyberbullying
is reporting cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is against the law and therefore, this is needed to be
reported. Cyberbullying can have horrible outcomes leading to death of innocent people.
Reporting the cases of cyberbullying is essential as it might help the victim getting justice
against the criminal who bullied him/her.
No one has the right to cause pain to any person and therefore, reporting the same
becomes essential. Reporting cybercrime can significantly help in reducing the same and
therefore it is one of the most effective strategies of preventing cybercrime.
4.3. Identifying and Talking to the Victim
Another preventive measure that can be taken against cyberbullying is identification of
the victim of cyberbullying and talking to the victim. Family members need to notice the victims
of cyberbullying (Bauman, 2014). The family members of the victim need to talk with the victim
so that the victim does not feel left out. However, it becomes quite essential to report the
cyberbullying to the police so that the criminal can be identified and punished.
The family members of the victim is needed to get support from the family members and
the friends. Public intervention is needed to provide the much needed personal support from the
friends and family members (Corcoran, Guckin & Prentice, 2015). However, if the issues is more
serious, appropriate professional intervention is needed to prevent cyberbullying from occurring.

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Conclusion
The report discusses the concept of cyberbullying and the need of preventing
cyberbullying. The report discusses the effect of cyberbullying. A number of cyberbullying
tactics are identified in the report. The report discusses the major factors that can significantly
help in identification of cyberbullying. The report aims in identification of the preventive
measures that can be taken to prevent cyber bullying from occurring. The victims of cyber
bullying are needed to be provided with much needed mental support so that they do not take
drastic step such suicide. Apart from that, the report identifies the need of reporting the cases of
cybercrimes so that the victims can be punished. For that, the family members of the victims are
needed to identify the signs of a person being bullied. If the issue is severe, appropriate mental
and professional support for the victim is needed to be understood. The report establishes the
need of reporting cyberbullying cases so that this crime can be managed, addressed and reduced.

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References
Aboujaoude, E., Savage, M. W., Starcevic, V., & Salame, W. O. (2015). Cyberbullying: Review
of an old problem gone viral. Journal of adolescent health, 57(1), 10-18.
Bauman, S. (2014). Cyberbullying: What counselors need to know. John Wiley & Sons.
Beran, T., Mishna, F., McInroy, L. B., & Shariff, S. (2015). Children's experiences of
cyberbullying: A Canadian national study. Children & Schools, 37(4), 207-214.
Brewer, G., & Kerslake, J. (2015). Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and
loneliness. Computers in human behavior, 48, 255-260.
Corcoran, L., Guckin, C., & Prentice, G. (2015). Cyberbullying or cyber aggression?: A review
of existing definitions of cyber-based peer-to-peer aggression. Societies, 5(2), 245-255.
Fletcher, A., Fitzgerald-Yau, N., Jones, R., Allen, E., Viner, R. M., & Bonell, C. (2014). Brief
report: Cyberbullying perpetration and its associations with socio-demographics,
aggressive behaviour at school, and mental health outcomes. Journal of
Adolescence, 37(8), 1393-1398.
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2014). Cyberbullying. Identification, Prevention and Response.
Verfügbar unter https://cyberbullying. org/Cyberbullying-Identification-Prevention-
Response. pdf [Zugriff am 08.10. 2017].
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2014). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and
responding to cyberbullying. Corwin Press.

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Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the
digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among
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Whittaker, E., & Kowalski, R. M. (2015). Cyberbullying via social media. Journal of School
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Wölfer, R., Schultze-Krumbholz, A., Zagorscak, P., Jäkel, A., Göbel, K., & Scheithauer, H.
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