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Cyberbullying

The emergence of electronic media

Bullying and harassment are not new phenomena. But with the advent of the Internet, bullying and harassment have taken on a new dimension. Indeed, with this new means of communication, highly new and innovative ways of communicating, socializing and accessing information have been put in place. 

What is cyberbullying?

Cyber-bullying takes place via the Internet. This phenomenon can affect anyone. It spreads through electronic media such as: 

  • E-mails 
  • Text messages 
  • Social networks 
  • Chat sites 
  • Video games that allow you to communicate with other players

Its purpose is to humiliate, spread rumors, insults, threats, intimidating words, defamatory remarks, blackmail, etc., repeatedly.

Anyone can be affected by cyberbullying: classmates, office colleagues, ex-spouses, family members, yourself.

The causes of an ever-growing phenomenon  

Harassment is far from being a new phenomenon. But since the arrival of the Internet and the popularization of social networks, it has taken on a new form, which is cyber harassment. 

On the Internet, and particularly on social media, blogs and other sharing networks, it’s become very easy to reveal your private life, personal information, photos and videos, and even meet new people and make new connections. 

So it’s easy for a person with ill intentions to hurt another person by, for example, blackmailing them, threatening them or taking other unhealthy actions. 

Cyberbullying can happen very quickly and aggressively. 

The consequences of cyberbullying

This form of harassment can occur at any time of life via electronic media. The consequences can be serious and can happen quickly: 

  • Physical: anxiety, stress, anger, sleep disorders, eating disorders, self-mutilation, suicide in the most severe cases
  • Psychological/emotional: difficulty concentrating, low self-esteem, isolation, depression

Here are spaces where cyber harassment occurs: 

In schools 

Harassment at school is a phenomenon that occurs both inside and outside the school. Harassment may start within the school, but it can also follow the victim outside. It generally continues via social networks, cell phones, instant messaging, photo-sharing sites and other digital media. This is when we speak of cyberbullying at school. 

The consequences for victims can affect their moral, mental and physical health, as well as their schooling. 

Towards women

  • 4% of married women report having been cyber harassed 
  • 7% of women in common-law relationships say they have been cyber-stalked
  • 12% of separated or divorced women report having been cyber-stalked 
  • 13% of single women (never married) report having been cyber harassed

Source : Statistique Canada, Enquête sociale générale sur la sécurité des Canadiens (victimisation)

“Adolescent girls and young women, who are frequent users of the Internet, are particularly at risk of experiencing cyberstalking. The psychological consequences described by victims are significant: symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, alcohol and drug dependence, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.”

Source : Mylène Fernet, Co-directrice du Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur la violence familiale et la violence faite aux femmes (CRI-VIFF)

In intimate relationships 

Cyber-stalking is one of the new forms of intimate violence, aggressive, intrusive and devastating not only for the victim, but also for the family. 

It can all start with an encounter. The story of Amanda Todd in 2012 took the Internet by storm and brought attention to the dangers of cyberviolence. Amanda Todd, a 15-year-old Canadian girl, took her own life after meeting a man on the Internet. The man had been stalking her for several years. She had shared personal information and photos with the man, who used them against her. 

Source : Radio canada 

Sources

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