Cyberbullying: Impacts and Mitigation Strategies

This assignment delves into the multifaceted issue of cyberbullying, drawing from prominent studies such as Bauman & Bellmore's 'New directions in cyberbullying research' (2015) and Kowalski et al.'s meta-analysis (2014). It explores the impacts on adolescents' mental health, academic performance, and social relationships. The assignment also examines interventions like Cross et al.'s Cyber Friendly Schools program (2016) and Lester et al.'s community engagement approach (2016), emphasizing the importance of prevention strategies and awareness campaigns.

RESEARCH AND REPORT ON HOW CYBERBULLYING
AFFECTS CHILDREN LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN
AUSTRALIA PRIMARY SCHOOLS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Present study describes impact of cyberbullying on children’s learning and their
development. Family loneliness and poor guidance are the major factors which create such type
of situation when kid fails to discuss his/her problems with elders. Effects of all these elements
on human development are being explained in this report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
RATIONALE...................................................................................................................................1
FINDINGS.......................................................................................................................................1
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................................3
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ISSUE............................................................................4
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE ISSUE IN RELATION TO CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT............................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Cyberbullying can be explained as sending harmful text and images by using digital
communication sources to others. Social media networking, cell phone and paper text have
become essential part of children's life now-a-days. They use internet frequently which put a
huge impact on their learning and development to a great extent (Kowalski and et.al., 2014).
Teenagers are much more dependent upon technology and they bully others by using this
technology. Present report will explain the impact of cyberbullying on children's learning and
their development in Australian primary schools. Social learning theory and operant conditioning
will be explained in this study. Furthermore, assignment will explain the key factors which
contribute to this issue and their effects on children's learning and development.
RATIONALE
Cyberbullying is the most serious issue faced by teachers. School’s kids use digital
technology to repeatedly harass, embarrass and threaten other children. Parents and teachers do
not pay much attention on their children and thus, these people become aggressive and they use
internet, social networking sites frequently in order to humiliate others. Australia is the country
where number of cyberbullying cases are increasing in schools (Smith, Cowie and Blades, 2015).
Government of Australia recognises that students are the future of nation and their development
can be better for the growth of region. Authorities and teachers take care of well-being, safety of
learners and their social development (Arıcak and et.al., 2014).
Teachers and parents have to guide their children well so that they would not misuse
technologies. Ignorance from their side can create big trouble for kids in the future (Cross and
et.al., 2016). Teachers are the developer of children. They have responsibility to support well in
the growth of them. There are many children who do not get sufficient guidance from their
parents and teachers. Thus, they move towards the wrong direction and so, many students insult
others on these social networking sites.
FINDINGS
According to Bauman and Bellmore, (2015) social learning theory is the great approach
which explains that people learn many things from observation, imitation. Children easily imitate
their elders and if attitude of their parents or families are not good then these kids also do the
1

same with their friends. Children are pure hearted people and they get knowledge from their
surroundings, if atmosphere of their surroundings is not good then these children fails to learner
their social responsibilities and behave bad with others. As per the views of Elipe, Mora-
Merchán and Nacimiento, (2017) adult who react aggressively in front their children, these kids
observe and copy them. It impacts on their learning and development and they fail to understand
their social responsibilities.
Illustration 1: Effects of cyberbullying
(Source: Effects of cyber bullying, 2017)
Baroncelli and Ciucci, (2014) has stated that operant conditioning is learning theory
which helps in modifying behaviour of individual. It completely depends upon positive and
negative reinforcement environment which alter persons' behaviour. Parents have to award their
children's excellence it can help in motivating them and going to the right path., If they do not do
the same then these kids can choose wrong way and they can bully others as well. Teachers have
to make them understand what is right and wrong so that children can improve their learning and
they can get developed.
As per the views of Elçi and Seçkin, (2016) primary schools children are innocent and
they get learned from atmosphere. Behaviours explain that cyberbullying includes; threaten
emails, wrong texts or images on social networking sites, insulting someone or embarrassing
others. These types of surrounding impact negative on children's learning and they get engaged
in such type of activities. By this way they fail to understand their social responsibility which
2

affects their growth and development to great extent. Völlink and et.al., (2013) has argued that
children those who are victim of this cyberbullying they feel disconnected from their schools and
it increases sense of fear among them. It hurts their self-esteem and they fail to grow well in their
career. Children those who are facing bullying can suffer from mental health issues such as
depression, anxiety. These children become reluctant for going to school which affects their
development and fail to increase their knowledge.
According to Solomontos-Kountouri and et.al., (2017) current educational policies are
not that much efficient in this respect. It is necessary for government that to completely restrict
using social sites, internet and mobile phones for school level students. Using these technologies
can affect learning of the person. Due to use of these technologies they get diverted from their
studies and social responsibilities which reflects on their behaviour as well. Lester and et.al,
(2016) states that due to loop fall in the educational system children those who are studying in
schools are not concentrating on their learning and getting influenced by atmosphere.
DISCUSSION
Cyberbullying is the serious issue which can affect children, teens or any adults as well.
This cyberbullying distressed the person and individual fail to fulfil their social duties. It makes
the kid feel overwhelmed which emerges feeling of embarrassment among children. Schools
children are innocent, their behaviour get influenced by their surroundings. If their teachers,
parents are not paying proper attention on them then it increases feeling of aggression and they
move to wrong direction (Effects of cyber bullying, 2017). The person who faces this bullying
gets afraid and do not like to continue their further studies. In Australia there are many kids those
who are suffering from mental health problems due to cyberbullying.
If any kid is circulating wrong image or text message about others on social
communication sites then most of the children feel unable to share this problem with their elders.
It is because they feel ashamed that how society will look on them. It decreases their confident
which affects negatively their development. Cyberbullying constantly increases stress level of
students and they avoid going to their schools. Previous records show that cyberbullying has
increased cases of suicide, self-harm among children. Recent statistics show that many primary
schools kids are facing fear of cyberbullying (The Impact of Bullying, 2017). Approximately
3

20% children are reluctant going to schools. 5% kids have tried to harm own self whereas 3% of
them have committed suicide.
From the discussion it is analysed that government of Australia has made education law
to protect children and providing them safer atmosphere. This legislation states that it is
responsibility of school community that to protect their students and provide them safer and
healthy environment. Teachers have responsibility that to make these children aware with the
right and wrong things and if someone is engaged in wrong activity then kids have to discuss this
issue with their parents in-spite of hiding this fact (Effects of cyber bullying, 2017).
Education and inspection act 2006 have been made in this respect which give extra power
to head teacher to regulate conduct of pupils if someone is off-site. Schools have to screen,
search the electronic devises properly so that no children can misuse these equipment. Bauman
and Bellmore, (2015) has stated that 32% school children those who are victim of cyberbullying
they suffer from stress and they do not concentrate on their education. Which affects negatively
on their learning and they fail to get passed in examination. Sometimes kids stop going to
schools because it emerges sense of fear among them.
Children are innocent and it is very difficult for them to make right decision immediately,
they can get distracted easily. In Australia and many more places there are many kids those who
are suffering from this issue but they are unable to discuss this problem with their parents or
elders. It is essential for kids that if they are facing any type of issue then they must discuss it
with their teachers or elders. Teachers and parents have to ensure that their child do not make
gossips and insult others as well (The Impact of Bullying, 2017). Cyberbullying can hurt the
young teenagers and can make them isolated from society. This leads problems such as low self-
esteem, anxiety, stress among them and they fail to concentrate on their studies. Thus learning
and their development get affected.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ISSUE
There are many issues which increasing cyberbullying issues in schools and due to which
learning and development of the person get affected. The main factor which increases such type
of issue is family problems. There are many children those who have to live in house where their
parents fight with each other (Baroncelli and Ciucci, 2014) Parents do not pay attention on their
kids which increases feeling of loneliness among them. By this way they easily get destructed
4

and start using internet or social networking sites so that they can make friends. But due to these
family issues they are unable to know what is right and wrong thus, they move to wrong
direction and start behaving loud to others and start insulting others. It makes them aggressive
and irritating and they do not focus on their studies. Cyberbullying destruct them from this
learning and development (Völlink and et.al., 2013). The person who is victim of this
cyberbullying due to family issues they do not discuss their problems with their parents. That
increases fear and anxiety among them and they can suffer from mental illness.
When parents or teacher do not give sufficient time to their kids and if they are engaged
in using internet then children copy their habit and start using these sites. They think that they are
just making fun but they are unaware with the situation that this can create big problems for
them. It can spoil their life and future as well. Unhealthy environment impacts on their mind and
they like using such technologies for fun. Loneliness is another factor which contribute to this
issue to great extent (Effects of cyber bullying, 2017).
No guidance is another major factor which increases this type of risk among teenagers.
When teacher or parents do not properly guide them well then these small kids fail to understand
what is right or wrong. This affects their learning and development to great extent. History of
trauma is another element which increases anger in children and they think to take revenge for
their insult. After that they send non sense insulting images to their friends which create situation
of cyberbullying (The Impact of Bullying, 2017).
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE ISSUE IN RELATION TO CHILDREN'S
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Bullying impacts on human life negatively which can affect the person till their
adulthood. It can harm their self-esteem and they can commit suicide as well. Cyberbullying is
the serious crime which can spoil whole life of teenagers. The main cause of this issue is family
problems due to which person can feel loneliness and in such condition if such type of activities
occur with them then they loss their confidence and feel afraid. Due to which their mental
development can negatively affect and individual can suffer from mental health problem (Elçi
and Seçkin, 2016).
When person is suffering from such type of issue and fail to discuss their problem with
their parents or teachers then individual can try to harm own self. After that these children can
5

feel fear to go to school because of embarrassment. That impacts on their learning and their
growth can get affected. People those who suffer from cyberbullying feel disconnected from
their schools, friends and they do not continue their studies. By this way they fail to get learn
about social responsibilities and they fail to make their career (Kowalski and et.al, 2014).
Sometimes cyberbullying kids those who study in schools they do not have better
understanding about right and wrong and they cannot make accurate decision. If someone hurts
them then they get into fight and their mind get destructed from study. That impacts on their
learning and development to great extent. Students dislike schools and they find it difficult to
learn anything because they feel unable to concentrate on it (Cross and et.al., 2016). Due to
cyberbullying suffered person get disrespect from others which hurts them and they do not learn
anything. These students feeling insecure which affects their learning and development as well.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that cyberbullying is the serious crime which
affect learning and development of a person. Primary school kids do not have much knowledge
about any issue so they can get influenced easily by the same. It has been assessed that if
someone influences them to use communication medium and bully others then they immediately
get engaged in this activity. Family problems and loneliness are the major factors which force
people to move towards it. Due to this, person feel dishearten and stressed. Individuals fail to
concentrate on their studies and they do not like to go to school. After bullying, they think that
all surrounding persons will disrespect them and make reasons to not to go to school. It increases
the mental illness and they sometimes try to commit suicide as well. Thus, these issues make
them negative towards learning and they do not like to continue their studies.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For minimizing adverse effects of cyberbullying on children’s learning and development,
it is essential to take some actions so that this issue can be minimized in the primary schools.
 Parents have to create healthy and stress free environment for their children so that kids
can discuss their problems with them easily. It will help families in guiding their kids
well.
6

 Government should make strict regulations for education so that mobiles, technologies
and internet cannot be used by non-mature children. This will help them in avoiding
misuse of these equipment.
 Teachers should conduct informal meeting with kids in order to identify their problems.
If someone is suffering from stress then they should motivate them and remove negativity
around them.
 In the primary school education, government should include chapter of cyberbullying so
that they can get to know how this can hurt them and what they have to do in such
condition. This will help in improving the knowledge and mental status of these small
kids and they will not get involved in such type of activities.
7

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Arıcak, O. T. & et.al., (2014). Cyberbullying: The Bad and the Ugly Side. Cyber Behavior:
Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and
Applications. 181.
Baroncelli, A. & Ciucci, E. (2014). Unique effects of different components of trait emotional
intelligence in traditional bullying and cyberbullying. Journal of Adolescence. 37(6).
807-815.
Bauman, S. & Bellmore, A. (2015). New directions in cyberbullying research.
Cross, D. & et.al., (2016). Longitudinal impact of the Cyber Friendly Schools program on
adolescents’ cyberbullying behavior. Aggressive behavior. 42(2). 166-180.
Elçi, A. & Seçkin, Z. (2016). Cyberbullying awareness for mitigating consequences in higher
education. Journal of interpersonal violence, 0886260516646095.
Elipe, P., Mora-Merchán, J. A. & Nacimiento, L. (2017). Development and validation of an
instrument to assess the impact of cyberbullying: the Cybervictimization Emotional
Impact Scale. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 20(8). 479-485.
Kowalski, R. M. & et.al., (2014). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis
of cyberbullying research among youth.
Lester, L. & et.al., (2016). Encouraging the positive use of technology through community
engagement.Safer Communities. 15(3). 134-141.
Smith, P. K., Cowie, H. & Blades, M. (2015). Understanding children's development. John
Wiley & Sons.
Solomontos-Kountouri, O. & et.al., (2017). Academic, socio-emotional and demographic
characteristics of adolescents involved in traditional bullying, cyberbullying, or both:
Looking at variables and persons. International Journal of Developmental Science,
(Preprint). 1-12.
Völlink, T. & et.al., (2013). Coping with cyberbullying: Differences between victims, bully‐
victims and children not involved in bullying. Journal of Community & Applied Social
Psychology. 23(1). 7-24.
Online
Effects of cyber bullying. 2017. [Online] Available through:
<http://www.bullying.co.uk/cyberbullying/effects-of-cyberbullying/>. [Accessed on 3rd
October 2017].
8

The Impact of Bullying. 2017. [Online] Available through:
<http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/impact.aspx>.
[Accessed on 3rd October 2017].
9