Digital technology has become ubiquitous in our society. Most people own at least one mobile device. This has its advantages, as people now have access to real-time information and are able to communicate with friends, family, and business associates. People are online more than ever and sharing their lives on social media. And this trend is going to continue as new apps and platforms continue being developed.
85% of Americans own smartphone as of 2021, with 53% owning tablets, according to the Pew Research Centre. This number will certainly continue to grow. Another Pew Research Centre report stated that 48% of Americans say that they go on online several times a day and 31% say they are online almost constantly. Many children and teenagers will have a smartphone and a tablet while simultaneously having access to a computer either at home at school or in internet cafes. Technological devices are here to stay and they can have either positive or negative effects depending on how they are used.
Unfortunately, continual access to digital information comes with a series of disadvantages. And one of these is the rise of cyberbullying. 24/7 access to digital technology is not an advantage when the technology is being used to harass or discriminate against an individual. It can be a terrible situation were children are bullied around the clock, afraid to turn on their device for what they might find on it. The role of parents is stay alert to the dangers of over-exposure to types of technology.
What is cyberbullying?
it can be difficult to supply a technical definition of what constitutes cyberbullying. This is due to the fact that cyberbullying is often a subjective phenomenon. The bully may not be aware that what he or she is doing is phenomenon. The bully may not be aware that what he or she is doing is actually cyberbullying, and may even think that it is a joke. Cyberbullying, like bullying in person, can be very difficult to understand and troubleshoot.
Tulane university has provided a simple definition saying that cyberbullying is simply a form of bullying that takes place over digital mediums. These digital mediums primarily include social media forms and apps, as well as chat services. Cyberbullies are often anonymous and cyberbullying can be performed in groups as well as individually.
Standard bullying has now gone online, and it is easier for bullies to carry out their operations. What is especially worrying is that the child will often have no refuge at home or anywhere else. If he or she is carrying a device, there may be no escape. What was once a playground phenomenon can now take place anywhere, anytime thanks to technology.
currently there is no law that prevents cyberbullying. there is no remedy at the federal level, however, most US states have added wording to existing bullying laws to include digital bullying. The nature of cyberbullying can be difficult to resolve. It involves two people who are both very young and do not know the consequences of their actions, and thus legal remedies are usually very inappropriate even if there is a case. It is the responsibility of the school and parents to do as best as they can to spread cyberbullying awareness and to prevent it where possible. Social media and other sites should certainly be restricted at schools. Where cyberbullying is reported, all schools should perform a thorough investigation and follow-through, Also, support should be provided to parents and guardians throughout the process.
Cyberbullying can be especially prevalent for kids aged between 9-14 and according to Cyber bully 411 40% of cyberbullying takes place on instant messaging services, 29% place on online games and 30% takes place on social networking sites. with video games older users often engage in abusive language if they get killed by somebody in first-person shooter games or if at another player does not act in accordance with generally accepted principles as perceived by that particular gamer. These video games often have an adverse effect on an individuals personality which turns them more aggressive, particularly first-person shooter games. Because this abuse is usually verbal through a headset, there is no real record of its occurrence, and the child or adolescent may not even know the person. The bully could be located anywhere in the world.
