News: Crime & Law: Cyberbullying Within Females & the Reasonings Behind It

 

This image from Seattle Children's shows a girl looking at her phone, while the girls behind her laughing.  

     Did you know that Verywell Mind claims, “Cyberbullying has been deemed a public health problem, with the prevalence of cyberbullying doubling from 2007 to 2019, and 59% of teens in the United States reporting that they have been bullied or harassed online?” Social networking has led to an extreme increase in bullying. Before technological advancements, school bullies were a common issue among young children and teenagers, especially females. Nowadays, bullies target them via the internet. According to Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech., “Girls are more likely than boys to have experienced several different forms of online bullying, however. Some 15% of teen girls have been the target of at least four of these online behaviors, compared with 6% of boys.” As a result of cyberbullying, both the bully and the victim experience negative outcomes such as developing a mental illness, long-term emotional effects, and even suicide. While typical bullying still occurs, cyberbullying is a more prominent form of bullying among females today since it is easier to accomplish and because people do it out of pure amusement and boredom, especially with the pandemic.

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that occurs over digital devices such as computers and cell phones. This could occur through texting and social media, such as Tik Tok, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. It includes posting or sending false, harmful, or provocative information about someone on a recurrent basis. Individuals may argue that the victim could block them, but any of the posts will remain on the internet forever; they will never truly go away. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund claims, “face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying can often happen alongside each other. But cyberbullying leaves a digital footprint - a record that can prove useful and provide evidence to help stop the abuse.”

A story from Family Orbit Blog tells the story of fourteen-year-old Angel Green. She had endured years of being mocked by her classmates. They called her names such as “slut” and a “whore.” Growing up, she had already struggled as her father abused her and causing him to get sent to prison. Having learned about that, her classmates used it as ammunition both in school and on the internet. Unlike many individuals who commit suicide at home, Angel opted to hang herself from a tree at the school bus stop so her bullies who see her lifeless body. A note was also left at home to explain her motivation for taking her own life. 

Today, older adults may argue and say that we are a “soft generation” and that we need to “man up” and figure it out on our own. They may claim that cyberbullying is just words on a screen; there is no physical harm done, but that is incorrect. Generally, cyberbullying leaves the victim with no choice but to endure the abuse and harassment; they have no way of escaping it. In real life, bullying in some cases may come to an end, but that is not always the case with cyberbullying. Since the internet never really turns off, this form of bullying may be relentless and endless. The Verywell Mind states, “this can make victims feel as though they have no escape, particularly if the bullying involves sharing of their personal information or when something posted about them goes viral.” Many reasons can lead to cyberbullying among women, one of which is that it is an easier way to harm people.

This form of bullying allows the bully to cyberbully anonymously. It is easy for individuals to type, post, or send anything they want about anyone and anywhere they please without receiving feedback from their victim(s). Unlike traditional bullying, the bully does not have to come face to face with their victim physically. In ordinary bullying, the bully must encounter their victim’s face, revealing their identity. Cyberbullying possesses the unfortunate advantage of anonymity, making it easier to commit. Some people do not cyberbully because it is easier; some do it just for the sake of boredom.

Coronavirus caused millions of people all over the country to quarantine inside their own homes. During this period, significant amounts of people quickly became bored and used social media as an outlet to express their feelings and hatred towards other people, the pandemic, and much more. Stop Out Bullying states,” during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in kids and teens using digital platforms.” Due to an increase in smartphones and social media usage, people who are prone to bullying others are more likely to cyberbully. Statista states, “During the April 2019 survey, it was found that 38.7 percent of female students had ever been bullied online.” This survey took place when Coronavirus first became a known virus. Due to an increase in smartphone and social media usage, people who are prone to bullying others are more likely to cyberbully. 

It is quite clear that cyberbullying among females is a significant issue in the United States. Inquiries Journal claims, “25.8% of girls report having been cyberbullied, compared to only 16.8% of boys.” The United States needs to find a solution to this problem. Many solutions could be offered, such as decreasing screen time among teenagers and young adults, remaining silent if we have nothing nice to say, and many more. What would you do if this happened to you or someone you know? Nobody should have to deal with this type of abuse. Nobody should have to worry about possibly being cyberbullied. Stand up today and make a change; do not remain silent anymore. You could be the start to stopping cyberbullying.