WHAT IS BULLYING?
The increase in cyber technology has provided a new platform from which youth can bully each other; however the phenomenon of bullying is not a new thing. In order to understand cyber bullying as best as possible, it is important to understand the dynamics of traditional bullying first.
Bullying is aggressive behaviour that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Sometimes this imbalance involves difference in physical strength, but often it is characterised by differences in social power or status. Because of this imbalance in power or strength, the person who is being bullied experiences difficulty defending him or herself. Bullying is not usually something experienced once or twice, but is behaviour that is repeated over a period of time.
Traditional forms of bullying include direct, face-to-face behaviour. This may include physical acts such as hitting and kicking; as well as verbal acts which such as taunting, teasing and name calling. However it can also include indirect behaviour, such as rumour-spreading and social-exclusion. Bullying can sometimes consist of a group taking advantage of, or isolating, one person in particular, outnumbering him or her. Targets of bullying are often considered to be strange or different to their peers, isolating them even more and making it harder for them to deal with the situation.
Bullying affects millions of children worldwide – either directly or indirectly. The victims of bullying can suffer serious consequences; physically and emotionally. Children who bully also run the risk of being involved in anti-social, violent and other worrisome behaviour. The effects of bullying may not only affect the bully and the bullied, but can also affect bystanders and the school environment as a whole.
Bullying is aggressive behaviour that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Sometimes this imbalance involves difference in physical strength, but often it is characterised by differences in social power or status. Because of this imbalance in power or strength, the person who is being bullied experiences difficulty defending him or herself. Bullying is not usually something experienced once or twice, but is behaviour that is repeated over a period of time.
Traditional forms of bullying include direct, face-to-face behaviour. This may include physical acts such as hitting and kicking; as well as verbal acts which such as taunting, teasing and name calling. However it can also include indirect behaviour, such as rumour-spreading and social-exclusion. Bullying can sometimes consist of a group taking advantage of, or isolating, one person in particular, outnumbering him or her. Targets of bullying are often considered to be strange or different to their peers, isolating them even more and making it harder for them to deal with the situation.
Bullying affects millions of children worldwide – either directly or indirectly. The victims of bullying can suffer serious consequences; physically and emotionally. Children who bully also run the risk of being involved in anti-social, violent and other worrisome behaviour. The effects of bullying may not only affect the bully and the bullied, but can also affect bystanders and the school environment as a whole.
From Offline to Online Violence:
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Although cyber bullying and traditional bullying share many of the same characteristics, there are some notable differences:
Source used: Limber S, The Challenge. A publication of the Office of Safe and Drug-free Schools. Available online at www.thechallenge.org
- Anonymity: While traditional bullies are usually known to their victims, many cyber bullies remain anonymous, which can place further emotional stress on the victim.
- Disinhibiting: Often a result of the anonymity, young perpetrators of cyber violence are usually less inhibited, largely because they do not have the face-to-face contact that will likely mediate conflict.
- Accessibility: Again related to the lack of a physical environment, cyber bullying can follow young people wherever they go – at school, home, or elsewhere – and at any time of the day or night.
- Punitive fear: While traditional bullying and violence against young people often goes unreported, there is an additional disincentive for young people to report cyber violence, in that they fear their computer access or cell phone might be taken away from them.
Source used: Limber S, The Challenge. A publication of the Office of Safe and Drug-free Schools. Available online at www.thechallenge.org
