Understanding Cyberbullying: Types and Impact on Children

Adekunle Oludele
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Jun 30, 2023

Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that takes place online or using digital tools, including social media, messaging applications, computers, cellphones, and tablets. It's a planned action designed to injure, embarrass, or frighten someone via technology. Cyberbullying can take many different forms, including trolling, impersonation, exclusion, and cyberstalking. Parents and other adults in charge of children must be aware of the danger and take precautions to safeguard them. The different types and effects of cyberbullying have been discussed in this blog. With our advice, we'll help you stop cyberbullying.

Importance of Understanding Cyberbullying

Understanding the many forms of cyberbullying is essential because each one can affect kids in a different way. For instance, harassment can lead to depressive symptoms, anxiety, and emotional tension. Impersonation can harm a person's social ties, reputation, and self-perception. Children who are excluded may feel alone and excluded. Trolling may create a poisonous online environment and legitimize bad behavior, while cyberstalking can be frightful and threatening.

It's critical to spot the warning signs of cyberbullying and take prompt action as parents, educators, or other caregivers. Children who experience cyberbullying may exhibit symptoms of anxiety, despair, or mood swings, avoid engaging in social activities, or struggle with their sleep or diet. We may talk to kids about internet safety and educate them on how to protect themselves from cyberbullying by knowing the many forms of cyberbullying.

Types of Cyberbullying

To understand cyberbullying better, let’s go through the different types.

Direct Cyberbullying

Direct cyberbullying is when someone directly attacks the victim through electronic means, such as social media, text messages, or emails. Examples of direct cyberbullying include sending threatening or aggressive messages, spreading rumors, harassing someone online, or posting embarrassing or hurtful content.

The impact of direct cyberbullying on children can be devastating. It can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even suicide attempts. It can cause social isolation and affect their academic performance.

Indirect Cyberbullying

Indirect cyberbullying is a more subtle type of bullying and is harder to identify. It involves spreading rumors or gossip online, excluding someone from an online group, or encouraging others to participate in bullying behavior. Indirect cyberbullying can have a severe impact on children, as it is done behind the scenes and can be challenging for parents and teachers to address.

The impact of indirect cyberbullying on children can lead to social anxiety, decreased confidence, and a feeling of insecurity. It can cause children to withdraw from social interactions and develop a fear of online activities.

Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is a form of harassment that involves a person being monitored, followed, or harassed online by another person. The stalker may send threatening or intimidating messages, post threatening content, or stalk a person's online activities.

The impact of cyberstalking on children is damaging and can lead to a sense of fear, paranoia, and anxiety. It can make children feel unsafe both online and offline and have a significant impact on their mental health.

Impact of Cyberbullying on Children

Cyberbullying can cause significant psychological and physical harm to children. Let’s discuss the impact that cyberbullying can have on children.

Psychological

Low self-esteem: Cyberbullying can make children feel inferior, unworthy, and undeserving of respect and friendship. This can lead to low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.

Depression: Children who experience cyberbullying can become depressed and withdrawn. They may have trouble sleeping, lose interest in their daily activities, and feel hopeless or helpless.

Physical

Sleep disturbances: Children who are cyberbullied may have trouble sleeping due to worry, anxiety, or fear. Sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on a person's physical health and well-being.

Weight fluctuations: Some children who are cyberbullied may experience weight fluctuations due to stress. They may either lose or gain weight, which can harm their physical health.

Preventing Cyberbullying

As a parent or guardian, there are several ways to prevent cyberbullying. In this section, we’re going to talk about Windows parental controls and parental control apps to help you protect your child.

Windows Parental Control

Windows Parental Controls is a built-in feature on Microsoft Windows 10 that allows parents to monitor and control their children's computer and internet activity. With Windows Parental Control, parents can:

Restrict specific websites
Set time limits for computer usage
Monitor app and game usage
Restrict access to certain apps and games
View activity reports

By using these features, parents can reduce the risk of their children being exposed to cyberbullying and other online dangers.

Parental Control Apps

In addition to Windows parental control, there are numerous other parental control apps available for both computers and mobile devices. Some features that parental control apps include are:

GPS tracking: Ability to track a child's physical location when they are using a mobile device
Social media monitoring: Ability to monitor a child's social media activity for signs of cyberbullying or inappropriate content
Text and call monitoring: Ability to view text messages and phone calls made by a child's mobile device

How to choose the right parental control app

When choosing a parental control app, it’s important to consider the needs of your family as well as the specific features of the app. Some important considerations include:

Compatibility with your devices
Cost (some apps are free, while others require a monthly subscription)
Ease of use
User reviews

By using parental control apps, parents can help prevent cyberbullying and protect their children from online dangers.

Conclusion

Cyberbullying is any form of bullying that takes place online, through social media, or via text messaging. This could include sending threatening or hurtful messages, posting unflattering photos or videos, spreading rumors, or even hacking into someone's social media account and impersonating them. The effects of cyberbullying can be wide-ranging and long-lasting, including low self-esteem, poor academic performance, and difficulties forming relationships.

Prevention is key to combating cyberbullying. It’s essential for parents, educators, and other caregivers to be vigilant and watchful for signs of cyberbullying in their children. They should also take steps to help their children stay safe online by setting up parental controls, restricting access to certain apps and websites, and encouraging positive online behaviors.

In conclusion, cyberbullying is a growing issue that can have serious consequences for children and teenagers. Parents and educators must remain vigilant and work to prevent cyberbullying. One effective tool in this effort is the use of parental control software, such as Windows Parental Control, which allows parents to monitor their child's online activity and take steps to keep them safe.