Sadly, bullying is more common than we like to think. Kids belittle and pick on each other for many reasons. In the past, adults often wrote off bullying as “kids being kids”, but we have learned that being subjected to this type of abuse can be devastating for the targeted child. And, now that computers and social media are commonplace, a bully’s harassment doesn’t have to be done in person – kids can be besieged by cyberbullying, too. So, how does online bullying affect a child’s mental health?
Cyberbullying can cause a child to have more physical problems (sleep disturbances, headaches, stomachaches) and issues with self-esteem. A child who is bullied is less able to learn and adjust in school and more likely to have “depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school” as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In extreme cases of online bullying, children have even been so traumatized that they have taken their own lives.
In addition, bullying also affects the child who is carrying out the harassment, resulting in a higher risk of substance abuse, problems in school, and violence in their teen years and in adulthood.
According to the U. S. government website, StopBullying.gov, “Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.”
An article on VeryWellMind about cyberbullying and depression in kids notes that, “Victims of cyberbullying can experience symptoms of depression including sadness, loneliness, insecurity, poor self-esteem, academic decline, feelings of not belonging, and suicidal thoughts and behavior.”
Because online bullying can be done 24/7, kids cannot escape it in the same way they might be able to avoid harassment in person. This can add to the victim’s depression and feelings of helplessness.
A 2012 study by Low and Espelage, the authors noted that there are “…relations between bullying behavior and more conflictual and harsh parenting styles…as well as low parental monitoring.” They report that, “it can be hypothesized that family conflict and ineffective monitoring would heighten bullying perpetration indirectly via (a) risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use (AOD) and (b) impairments in social competency and self-regulation, manifested in hostility, depressive symptoms, and reduced empathy.”
In cyber space, people feel anonymous, so they often say or do things they might not ordinarily. Kids can post something about someone or put up demeaning photos of another person without feeling much responsibility for their actions. Plus, because the trauma is done online, they don’t actually see how their attacks hurt the targeted child, so they don’t feel the same guilt that they might if they bullied in person.
StopBullying.gov lists the following warning signs that could indicate that your child is either being cyberbullied or is bullying someone else:
For Parents
To prevent or stop online bullying, if you notice changes in your child’s behavior, try to:
For Teens And Adolescents
Cyberbullying can cause depression, anxiety, PTSD and other concerns for the child who is targeted. We can help your teen or adolescent handle their emotions and the way they manage online bullies. Talk with a compassionate child psychologist at the Children’s Center for Psychiatry, Psychology and Related Services in Delray Beach, Florida. Contact us or call us today for more information at (561) 223-6568.
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