Why Does Cyberbullying Happen?
According to a survey conducted by the National Crime Prevention Council, 81% of teens surveyed believe cyberbullies bully because they think it is funny.
According to the same survey, some other reasons why teens believe their peers cyberbully include
A statement about why he cyberbullied*:
15 year-old boy from undisclosed location:
Well the only reason I bullied is because the same person I was doing it to, did it to me like a week before. It wasn't the right thing to do but at the time it felt like I was getting revenge
*Taken from the Cyberbullying Reserach Center
http://www.cyberbullying.us/shareyourstory.php
According to the same survey, some other reasons why teens believe their peers cyberbully include
- They receive encouragement from friends
- They do not realize the consequences of their actions
- They do not think it serious or a 'big deal'
- They think everyone does it
- They don't think they will get caught
A statement about why he cyberbullied*:
15 year-old boy from undisclosed location:
Well the only reason I bullied is because the same person I was doing it to, did it to me like a week before. It wasn't the right thing to do but at the time it felt like I was getting revenge
*Taken from the Cyberbullying Reserach Center
http://www.cyberbullying.us/shareyourstory.php
Anonymity Plays a Role
One of the biggest challenges with Cyberbullying is the fact that it is anonymous.
"While in face-to-face bullying there is a clear power differential, usually where the stronger bully torments the weaker victim, in cyberbullying the power lies in anonymity (Brydolf, 2007; Keith & Martin, 2005; Strom & Strom, 2005; Winter & Leneway, 2008). Under the cover of anonymity, bullies may act more aggressively than they would in face-to-face situations (Kirby, 2008). People are more likely to become cyberbullies and engage in unethical online behavior when (a) they believe they will not get caught, (b) they do not think that they are causing perceptible harm to the victim, (c) other people are doing it even though it is considered wrong or unethical, and (d) it is viewed as retaliation (Willard, 2002)" (Mark & Ratliffe, 2011)
The challenge lies in the fact that the internet is a free and open network connecting people. There are very few limits on what people can say or do in Cyber Space. While for many purposes this philosophy is ideal, for issues like Cyber Bullying, it presents a formidable challenge, because there is no possibility of limiting negative or hurtful behavior. It is up to individuals to rely on their own ethical code--and for many individuals involved in Cyber Bullying, this has not yet developed-- or is easily ignored.
"The fundamental difference between cyberbullying and bullying is anonymous nature of cyberbullying. You don’t have to have a face. It’s kinda changing the way we view bullying and victimization and it’s changing our roles of bullying and victimization. Someone might be a victim in the school setting and go to cyberspace world and become a bully" (Rose, 2011).
"While in face-to-face bullying there is a clear power differential, usually where the stronger bully torments the weaker victim, in cyberbullying the power lies in anonymity (Brydolf, 2007; Keith & Martin, 2005; Strom & Strom, 2005; Winter & Leneway, 2008). Under the cover of anonymity, bullies may act more aggressively than they would in face-to-face situations (Kirby, 2008). People are more likely to become cyberbullies and engage in unethical online behavior when (a) they believe they will not get caught, (b) they do not think that they are causing perceptible harm to the victim, (c) other people are doing it even though it is considered wrong or unethical, and (d) it is viewed as retaliation (Willard, 2002)" (Mark & Ratliffe, 2011)
The challenge lies in the fact that the internet is a free and open network connecting people. There are very few limits on what people can say or do in Cyber Space. While for many purposes this philosophy is ideal, for issues like Cyber Bullying, it presents a formidable challenge, because there is no possibility of limiting negative or hurtful behavior. It is up to individuals to rely on their own ethical code--and for many individuals involved in Cyber Bullying, this has not yet developed-- or is easily ignored.
"The fundamental difference between cyberbullying and bullying is anonymous nature of cyberbullying. You don’t have to have a face. It’s kinda changing the way we view bullying and victimization and it’s changing our roles of bullying and victimization. Someone might be a victim in the school setting and go to cyberspace world and become a bully" (Rose, 2011).