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HANOI UNIVERSITY

FOUNDATION STUDIES DEPARTMENT


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CAUSES AND EFFECTS


OF CYBERBULLYING

Teacher: Ms. Tran Thuy Hang

Student: Nguyen Thi Ly Ly

Class: 1Q-16

Course: EAP Writing

Date: February 17, 2017


ABSTRACT

Due to advances in technology, bullying is no longer restricted


to school yards, but it has approached cyberspaces, evolving
into a new type called cyberbullying. This paper, based on
secondary research, discusses three matters of cyberbullying,
namely the key features, possible causes and detrimental
impacts it may bring about. The findings indicate that
cyberbullying has rapidly grown in popularity for several
specific reasons and it is also reported to exert particularly
harmful effects like the traditional in-person bullying. Based on
these findings, the research paper draws the conclusion that
appropriate measures have to be taken to address this problem
as soon as possible.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract .................................................................................................................................. i

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1

2. Discussion of findings ....................................................................................................... 1

2.1. Background information about cyberbullying ................................................... 1

2.2. Possible causes of cyberbullying .......................................................................... 2

2.3. Effects of cyberbullying ........................................................................................ 3

3. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 4

References .............................................................................................................................. 5

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1. Introduction

These days, it is not difficult to come across the term ‘cyberbullying’ in every means of
media. However, according to a research review by Tokunaga (2010, cited in Peebles 2014),
from 2004 backwards, there had been no articles referencing this term, which means online
bullying has just become prevalent within the last decade due to the pivotal advancements in
technology. As stated by Stop Bullying, a United States federal government webpage (n.d.),
the consequences of cyberbullying are similar to, or in some cases, even worse than those of
traditional types. This paper, with the aim of providing Internet users an overview of
cyberbullying, discusses the key features, primary reasons and adverse impacts of this
phenomenon.

2. Discussion of findings

2.1. Background information about cyberbullying

To date, there has been no universal definition of cyberbullying, but as defined by Stop
Bullying in the article “What Is Cyberbullying” (n.d.), it is the type of bullying that happens
through electronic technology, for instance, via social networking sites or text messages. It
may occur in forms of abusive emails, malicious messages, disturbing images and videos, or
the act of spreading vicious rumors, posting embarrassing fake profiles and excluding
someone from the societies ([Australian] Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner
n.d.).

Shocking statistics have been published to illustrate how common this problem is. According
to the Cyberbullying Research Center (2016), which has been surveying 15,000 middle and
high school students across the United States since 2002, approximately 28% of the students
have been cybervictims at some points of their life, while 16% admit to have bullied other
people online. Meanwhile, in an article by Mishna et al. (2012), an awful 30% of more than
2,000 Canadian students in grades six and ten in a 2010 study were involved in cyberbullying
in the preceding three months. However, the authors implied that the actual rates could
possibly be even higher as the results varied in accordance with how the term ‘cyberbullying’
was defined.

There are several major differences between cyberbullying and traditional face-to-face
bullying, according to Peebles (2014). First of all, the former can take place anywhere and at
any time, even when the victim is on his or her own. Second, the perpetrators of online
bullying can be anonymous as they mask their identity under a fake account, which
sometimes makes it impossible to trace the sources (Peebles 2014). Third, Slonje et al. in a
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2012 article (cited in Peebles 2014) also claim that cyberbullying has the power to access a
broader audience, and it may also have long-term effects since the online materials can take a
long time to be deleted or removed. In addition, according to Donegan (2012), since
cyberbullies do not have to witness the victims’ reactions, they sometimes do or say things
that are even more hurtful than what typically occurs in face-to-face bullying situations,
making cyberbullying potentially more dangerous.

2.2. Possible causes of cyberbullying

As reported by Delete Cyberbullying, a project to prevent online harassment (n.d.), the causes
of cyberbullying are similar to those of any traditional types. In the article named “Risk
Factors” (n.d.), Stop Bullying provides five main reasons why people bully others, namely
popularity concerns, family issues, frustration, peers’ influence or mistaken perceptions about
violence. This federal website also identifies two types of common bullies. One is popular
children who consider harassment as a way to remain popular and powerful, and the other is
less socially successful adolescents who believe their tormenting actions will help them to fit
in the society. Meanwhile, the victims can be humiliated because of their social status, sexual
orientation, unusual appearance, or low self-esteem (Stop Bullying n.d.).

Nevertheless, there are some additional reasons for the prevalence of cyberbullying (Delete
Cyberbullying n.d.). The first and most significant factor that makes online bullying
particularly appealing is anonymity. As the offenders do not directly face the victims during
their act, cyberbullying generally does not require as much courage as the traditional kind. On
the other hand, since the former takes place on cyberspace where people’s true identities are
often concealed, it creates a common misconception among perpetrators that they will not get
caught, which encourages them to commit even more bullying events online. Additionally,
the second cause given by Delete Cyberbullying is that the bullies are usually ignorant about
the effects of their actions. Unlike traditional bullying cases where the offenders can see the
evident consequences such as physical damage, cyberbullies normally cannot. Therefore, in
some situations, they are virtually unaware of the problem’s severity. In fact, Mishna et al. in
their 2010 study emphasize that many cyberbullying participants find the events “funny,
popular, and powerful”. Last but not least, another explanation for cyberbullying provided by
Delete Cyberbullying lies in the social pressure. It points out that a number of perpetrators
consider their actions normal or acceptable, especially with their peers’ encouragement.
Some even feel left out if they do not follow their friends and join in the bullying situations.

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2.3. Effects of cyberbullying

We are well aware that there are devastating consequences following bullying events, no
matter where they take place. In the cases of cyberbullying in particular, the effects can even
last long after these events end (Duverge 2015).

The direct and most typical impacts of cyberbullying are the ones regarding the victims’
psychology. Recent research has exposed the link between online bullying and some severe
forms of psychological trauma such as depression, social anxiety, trust issues or low self-
esteem (Hase et al. 2015 & Nixon 2014). In another study by Iannotti et al. from the United
States National Institute of Health (Reuters 2010), the researchers also note that due to the
special characteristic of cyberbullying which does not necessarily involve face-to-face
confrontation, the victims sometimes cannot identify the bullies and are more likely to feel
embarrassed, isolated, hopeless, worthless, frustrated or scared. At the height of their
depression, an alarming figure of one in five people victimized online has had intention of
committing suicide, as reported by Cyberbullying Research Center (cited in Duverge 2015).

In addition, cyberbullying can exert drastic effects on the victims’ physical health, though
often indirectly. According to Duverge (2015), some common symptoms found in
cybervictims like headaches or stomachaches are often associated with prolonged anxiety. If
not treated properly, these symptoms can turn into long-term diseases like chronic fatigue,
insomnia, and poor appetite. He also emphasizes that in more severe cases, many victims
may start to damage and injure their own bodies, considering self-harm as a way to alleviate
distress. Another impact frequently detected from cybervictims can be listed as drug and
alcohol abuse. Duverge (2015) and Hase et al. (2015) all agree that online bullying has
increased the risk of substance use at an early age among the victims.

Because students are among the common targets of cyberbullying events, studies have been
conducted to analyze their effects on cyberbullied school children. In general, students also
experience the same consequences of cyberbullying as any other victims, but these tragic
events can take further impacts on their education. As stated by the Department of Education
and Training of Victoria State Government (2013), victimized students are usually not fond
of schools since they lack good companionships, and very often they are treated as social
outcasts. Moreover, suffering from online victimization can prevent them from focusing on
their work and achieving desirable academic results. Consequently, sometimes together with
other external factors, many students play truant, switch schools or even drop out, which will
undoubtedly affect their education and restrict their future employment opportunities. Having

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little schooling, these adolescents may be exposed to social crimes and run higher risks of
delinquency (Department of Education and Training of Victoria State Government 2013).

Furthermore, cyberbullying can take its toll on the perpetrators, yet not as severely as what it
does on the victims. Slonje et al. in their 2012 study (cited in Peebles 2014) point out that the
offenders encounter more behavioral problems such as property damage, school or work
absenteeism than other people who do not participate in cyberbullying. In the same article,
Peebles (2014) in reporting Hinduja et al.’s findings states cyberbullies are also more likely
to commit suicide, though far less frequently than the victims.

3. Conclusion

Over a relatively short period of time, cyberbullying has emerged and evolved into a pressing
issue in many parts of the world, growing in both popularity and seriousness. It is crucial that
people be adequately informed about the severity of cyberbullying and proper measures be
taken to combat the problem as soon as possible. The solutions do not necessarily have to be
considerable like many people assume, but they can be as simple as something people can do
on a daily basis. Sometimes, a small act of thinking before you type can actually make a huge
difference to someone else.

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REFERENCES

- Cyberbullying Research Center 2016, ‘Summary of Our Cyberbullying Research’ (2004-


2016), viewed 6 January 2017, http://cyberbullying.org/summary-of-our-cyberbullying-
research
- Delete Cyberbullying n.d., ‘Why do people cyberbully?’, viewed 11 January 2017,
http://www.deletecyberbullying.org/why-do-people-cyberbully/
- Department of Education and Training of Victoria State Government 2013, ‘The Impact
of Bullying’, viewed 2 February 2017,
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/impact.aspx
- Donegan, R. 2012, ‘Bullying and Cyberbullying: History, Statistics, Law, Prevention and
Analysis’, The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications, vol.3, no.1,
pp.2 [online] Available at URL: https://www.elon.edu/docs/e-
web/academics/communications/research/vol3no1/04doneganejspring12.pdf (Accessed
11 January 2017)
- Duverge, G. 2015, ‘Digital Threats: The Impact of Cyberbullying’, viewed 2 February
2017, http://www.tuw.edu/health/impact-of-cyberbullying/
- Hase, C. N., Goldberg, S. B., Smith, D., Stuck, A., Campain, J. 2015, ‘Impacts of
Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying on the Mental Health of Middle School and High
School Students’, Psychology in the Schools, vol.52, no.6, pp.607-617 [online] Available
at URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pits.21841/full (Accessed 2 February
2017)
- Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner n.d., ‘Cyberbullying’, viewed 6 January
2017, https://esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/cyberbullying
- Mishna, F., Khoury-Kassabri, M., Gadalla, T., Daciuk, J. 2012, ‘Risk factors for
involvement in cyber bullying: Victims, bullies and bully-victims’, Child Youth Services
Review, vol.34, pp.63–70 [online] Available at URL:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740911003343?np=y (Accessed 6
January 2017)
- Mishna, F., Cook, C., Gadalla, T., Daciuk, J., Solomon, S. 2010, ‘Cyber bullying
behaviors among middle and high school students’, The American journal of
Orthopsychiatry, vol.80, no.3, pp.362-374 [online] Available at URL:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20636942 (Accessed 11 January 2017)
- Nixon, C. L. 2014, ‘Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent
health’, Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, vol.5, pp.143–158 [online]

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Available at URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126576/ (Accessed 2
February 2017)
- Peebles, E. 2014, ‘Cyberbullying: Hiding behind the screen’, Paediatrics Child Health,
vol.19, no.10, pp.527–528, [online] Available at URL:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276384/ (Accessed 6 January 2017)
- Reuters 2010, ‘Cyber-bullying causes more depression, study finds’, viewed 11 January
2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-depression-bullying-idUSTRE68K0H320100921
- Stop Bullying n.d., ‘What Is Cyberbullying’, viewed 6 January 2017,
https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/
- Stop Bullying n.d., ‘Risk Factors’, viewed 6 January 2017,
https://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/factors/index.html#morelikely

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