Cyber Bullying: Is it a Myth? Examining its Effects and Reality

This essay critically examines the trend that "Cyber bullying is a myth," presenting arguments for and against this viewpoint. It delves into the effects of cyber bullying on children, highlighting potential psychological impacts such as depression, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. The essay discusses common myths associated with cyber bullying, such as the belief that it only affects specific groups or can be easily resolved by switching off devices. It provides counterarguments supported by research, emphasizing the prevalence of cyber bullying and its severe consequences, including self-destruction. The essay concludes with recommendations for parents, educators, and authorities, including monitoring children's online activities, encouraging open communication, reporting abuse, and providing access to counseling. It also highlights the importance of stringent cyber laws and penalties to combat this growing issue. This paper draws upon a variety of sources to support its claims.

Running head: “CYBER BULLYING”-IS A MYTH
“CYBER BULLYING”-IS A MYTH
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

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Background
Cyber bullying is a type of a bullying that occurs over electronic and digital devices such
as emails, messages, internet and social networking sites. Cyber bullying can also involve
sharing obscene messages, pictures or negative thoughts to someone via electronic devices.
Bullying has long been a concern among the children and the adolescents (Ovejero et al., 2016).
Currently cyber bullying has occupied the headlines of the news and had been considered as a
major challenge for the adolescents. Many studies have revealed that cyber bullied has been
hyped or fueled by the headlines of the media and unsubstantiated declarations of the public.
Some of the common myths associated with cyber bullying are - Cyber bullying causes suicides,
Cyber bullying is occurring at an epidemic level, cyber bullies are just associated to kids and
finally cyber bullying can be controlled by just switching off the digital device (Holfeld, 2014).
This paper aims to provide with arguments regarding the validity of the trend “Cyber
bullying is a myth”. It will also discuss about its effect on the children and will conclude with a
set of recommendations.
Effect of this trend on children
The issue that cyber bullying is a myth has developed a concept among the parents that
their children or their family members can never be the victim of cyber bullying. Due to this
myth, some parents fail to recognize the reasons behind the depression of their children. It should
be noted that cyber bullying can lead to depression and anxiety among children. Reports prove
that cyber bullying have psychological effects on children. Due to cyber bullying a child might
feel worthless and vulnerable (Litwiller & Brausch, 2013). Cyber bullying can expose personal

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thing and can create humiliation among the children. Targets of cyberbullying often begin to
doubt their value and worth. According to various reports, the girls are the most affected victims
of cyber bullying. A kid may be tormented and disturbed constantly by the peers through
messages and internets. Blackmailing through internet and the social networking sites are the
most common. All these can destroy the contentment and happiness in children and can affect
the physical and the mental well being of kids.
In support of the trend
According to Sabella et al., (2013), there is lot of myths surrounding cyber bullying. One
of the myths is that Cyber bullying only negatively affects the target. The second myth of cyber
bullying is that only the teens, kids and women are the victims of cyber bullying. According to a
data by the Data and society Research institute, about 40% of adults have been the victim of
cyber bulling (Sabella et al., 2013). Several data shows that men and women equally have been
victimized by the bullying. Many people are of the belief that mere switching off the device
would resolve all the problems. But that is incorrect. In this progressive world, one cannot just
fold hands and keep himself away from technologies. Another thing that should be noted is that
face to face bullying has been found to have more psychosocial impact on kids and teens.
Against the trend
The trend “cyber bullying is a myth” can be refuted by several findings. According to
Englander, (2012), nearly 43% of the kids are bullied online. Mishna et al., (2012), have said that
70% of the students have reported to be the victim of cyber bullying. About 805 of the teens
across the world use cell phones, which is the most vulnerable medium of cyber bullying.
According to Slonje et al., (2013) cyber bullying can affect a person in two ways. It can make

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feel overwhelmed and can also bring them down out of acute embarrassment. Many children are
unable to confess about cyber bullying as they are of the conception that they will be judged.
According to (Litwiller & Brausch, 2013), several cases of self destruction have been reported
due to cyber bullying.
Personal perception
I have brainstormed through several websites and literatures which compels me to go
against the trend. There are several cases that suggest that cyber bullying is associated with
blackmailing, suicides, sharing personal and abusive pictures, messages or negative thoughts
(Slonje et al., 2013). I have often heard that cyber bullying has led to social withdrawal, change
in appearance and weight loss, suicide, poor performance and academics or professional life.
Recommendations
1. It is necessary for the parents to keep a close watch on the kids if anything suspicious is
noticed (Englander, 2012).
2. The kids should be encouraged to discuss all the problems with their parents, teachers, siblings
and peers such that they do not feel isolated.
3. Social media abuse can be stopped by reporting it to the authorities.
4. Creating a conducing environment for the children (Englander, 2012).
5. To teach the kids about both the positive and the negative effects of technologies.
6. If the child is severely affected, it is advisable to consult a counselor or a doctor.

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Steps taken to against cyber bullying
In order to spread awareness regarding the issue there are social media. There are devices
that can easily track the wrong -doers. There are several professional organizations that can
provide legal support to the victims of cyber bullying. GET cyber safe is a national public
awareness campaign set by the government of Canada. There are several helpline numbers that
can be contacted for seeking help. In spite of all the measures, many kids are falling prey to
cyber bullying which gives an indication that the cyber law and the penalties should be made
more stringent (Slonje et al., 2013).

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References
Englander, E. K. (2012). Spinning our wheels: Improving our ability to respond to bullying and
cyberbullying. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 21(1), 43-55.
Holfeld, B. (2014). Perceptions and attributions of bystanders to cyber bullying. Computers in
Human Behavior, 38, 1-7.
Litwiller, B. J., & Brausch, A. M. (2013). Cyber bullying and physical bullying in adolescent
suicide: the role of violent behavior and substance use. Journal of youth and
adolescence, 42(5), 675-684.
Mishna, F., Khoury-Kassabri, M., Gadalla, T., & Daciuk, J. (2012). Risk factors for involvement
in cyber bullying: Victims, bullies and bully–victims. Children and Youth Services
Review, 34(1), 63-70.
Ovejero, A., Yubero, S., Larrañaga, E., & Moral, M. D. L. V. (2016). Cyberbullying: Definitions
and facts from a psychosocial perspective. In Cyberbullying Across the Globe(pp. 1-31).
Springer International Publishing.
Sabella, R. A., Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying myths and
realities. Computers in Human behavior, 29(6), 2703-2711.
Slonje, R., Smith, P. K., & FriséN, A. (2013). The nature of cyberbullying, and strategies for
prevention. Computers in human behavior, 29(1), 26-32.