Blogpost written by Furkan Uruk & Daniil Naidenov
Nowadays, social media has changed how we communicate, bringing us closer together than ever. But there is also a darker side to always being connected – cyberbullying. This form of online harassment is a growing concern, affecting people of all ages and leaving a lasting impact on the mental health of those affected. In this post, we’ll break down what cyberbullying is, why it happens, how it affects us, and what we can do to prevent it.
Key Points
- Cyberbullying is a Growing Concern: Social media platforms have become the main stage for online harassment, affecting people of all ages.
- Risk Factors: Oversharing, excessive screen time, and certain personality traits can increase vulnerability to cyberbullying.
- Serious Mental Health Impact: Victims often experience anxiety, depression, social isolation, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.
- Adults Are Not Immune to It: Cyberbullying not only affects children online, but it also affects grown-ups, which can lead to workplace stress, reduced job satisfaction, and damaged relationships.
- It Is Possible to Prevent It: AI tools, education, and community efforts are key to combating cyberbullying.
- The Road Ahead: Ongoing research is needed to improve prevention strategies and address cyberbullying on emerging platforms.
The Monster Under Our Digital Beds
There were times when bullies were just those mean kids in school. But now, in our hyper-connected world, there is a new type of bully, the virtual bully, who doesn’t need physical proximity any more to be able to hurt people – he lurks in our phones, tablets and laptops, ready to attack at any given moment.
Cyberbullying happens when someone uses the internet, especially social media, to repeatedly hurt, embarrass, or threaten another person. This could be through nasty messages, spreading lies, or sharing private photos without consent.
Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying doesn’t end when you walk away. There’s no safe haven, you cannot take refuge at home. It’s like having someone who wants to harass you steal a spare key to every room in your life. A person can spread vicious rumours, share embarrassing photos or outright reveal your personal information without you even knowing who it is. A threatening message can even pop up as you’re having dinner. Cyberbullying follows victims wherever they go, making it even more damaging.
Why Good People Turn Into Digital Devils
Let’s be honest – the internet can turn people who appear to be normal in their real life into monsters online. But why? The research by Giumetti & Kowalski suggests that it’s not just about bad people doing bad things. The digital world provides a fertile ground for the worst human traits to come out because of anonymity, distance and instant gratification. When you cannot see the person on the other end of the screen, it becomes frighteningly easy to forget that they, too, are human, and really exist out there somewhere.
The Silent Scream: Mental Health in the Digital Age
The damage being done isn’t just virtual – it’s physical. Imaging having a troubling weight pull you down with every step that gets ever heavier with every notification, every ping, every refresh. That is what cyberbullying victims experience. The research shows that this isn’t just about feeling angry or sad; we’re talking about deep and lasting psychological wounds. Depression doesn’t just visit; it moves in, permanently. Anxiety becomes a lifelong companion of those affected. And for some, especially for the younger people online, the weight becomes unbearable as cyberbullying continues, which leads to darker thoughts than any parent wants to imagine.
Fighting Back: More Than Just Hitting ‚Block‘
But there are good news, too: we’re not powerless in a fight against cyberbullying. The digital world can still at times feel like the Wild West, but we’re getting better at taming it. AI spots and stops harmful content from spending before it can do any damage. But trusting technology alone isn’t the answer, we need human solutions to this very human problem. Schools need to become battlegrounds – but not for bullying, for education about the life online. Parents need to learn how to become digital guides to their children and not just guardians.
Forward The Revolution
Social media is not going anywhere anytime soon, but neither is our humanity. The research discovered an urgent need for action, but not just from tech companies or school. We need a cultural revolution. Every time that we choose kindness over cruelty online, we are fighting back. And every time we call out digital harassment instead of scrolling past it, we are making a difference.
Conclusion
The current prevalence of cyberbullying online is a wake-up call. The research makes it clear: we are facing a crisis that outpaces our solutions.
Social media is a double-edged sword. While it connects us and opens up opportunities, it also creates spaces for harmful behaviour like cyberbullying. The effects are real and often devastating, impacting mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.
The good news is that we can fight back. By using technology wisely, educating ourselves and others, and fostering supportive communities, we can create a safer online environment. It’s up to all of us—parents, educators, policymakers, and everyday users—to take action and make social media a place that uplifts rather than harms. Every one of us who’s ever posted, shared, or commented online is either part of the problem or the solution. Which will you be?
Together, we can ensure that social media remains a tool for connection, not division. The future of our digital world isn’t written in code – it’s written in our choices. Let’s make them count.
References: Social media and cyberbullying
Giumetti & Kowalski (2022): Cyberbullying via social media and well-being. doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101314