Written & Reviewed by
Gaston Molina
Published on
May 15, 2023

As a parent, one of your most essential duties is protecting your children from harm. Unfortunately, in today’s digital world, parents need to be aware of numerous new threats such as bullying and cyberbullying that pose dangers for their kids.

In this article, we will examine what is the difference between cyberbullying and bullying, why cyberbullying is more severe than traditional forms of bullying, and what parents and schools can do to safeguard children against its dangers.

Introduction to Bullying and Cyberbullying

What is bullying?

Bullying is an intentional form of aggressive behavior that is repeated over time and with intent.

Bullying takes many forms physical, verbal, and social but often includes hitting, pushing, or other forms of physical violence as physical bullying

Verbal bullying often includes name-calling, taunting, or threats while social bullying involves exclusion or spreading false rumors about an individual or group.

Bullying can have serious repercussions for its victims, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

Furthermore, bullying may increase substance abuse risk and criminal behavior among perpetrators.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying, or digital bullying, refers to any form of harassment that takes place online or on digital devices and includes sending threatening messages or spreading rumors online, posting embarrassing photos or videos, sending threats through instant messages, and more.

Cyberbullying is particularly dangerous since it occurs 24/7 and reaches an unlimited audience.

Differences between bullying and cyberbullying

How is cyberbullying different from bullying?

While both forms of harassment involve intentional and repeated aggression, cyberbullying stands out by being anonymous and making identification more difficult and potentially reaching more people than traditional bullying, which can further damage victim reputations.

One difference between bullying and cyberbullying is its 24/7 nature. Victims can find it harder to escape this form of abuse due to it taking place via private messaging apps and social media platforms.

Why is cyberbullying worse than bullying?

Cyberbullying can have disastrous repercussions for its victims, with particular damage coming from being more difficult to avoid than traditional forms of bullying. Victims can be targeted any time of day or night by cyberbullies who follow them even into their homes.

Cyberbullying differs from traditional bullying because its reach can reach far wider. Cyberbullying differs from traditional bullying in that its scope can be much broader. A single post or message shared online could potentially reach thousands of viewers and further isolate and helpless its victim.

Cyberbullying also has more lasting effects on a victim’s reputation due to being shared and saved forever online.

Statistics on bullying and Cyberbullying

How common is bullying?

Bullying is an international problem affecting children and adolescents worldwide. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly one in five students has experienced bullying while according to World Health Organization research, 30% of young people across 30 countries reported being bullied.

How common is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is an increasing problem, particularly among youth. According to research conducted by the Cyberbullying Research Center, over half of adolescents in the US had experienced some form of cyberbullying and another study by the European Union discovered that 20% of young people across Europe have also experienced it.

How to protect your child from bullying and cyberbullying

What parents can do to prevent bullying and cyberbullying

As a parent, there are numerous steps you can take to protect your child from bullying and cyberbullying. One of the most essential is talking with them about this subject and making sure they understand what bullying and cyberbullying mean, and encouraging them to come to speak to you if they witness or experience any form of bullying behavior.

Another key step you can take to help protect your child online is monitoring their activity. Make sure they understand what information should or shouldn’t be shared online and encourage them to report instances of cyberbullying they experience or witness.

How schools can address bullying and cyberbullying

Schools play an essential role in protecting against bullying and cyberbullying. One effective strategy to do so is creating a culture of respect and inclusion.

Schools can do this by implementing policies prohibiting such conduct as well as providing education and training sessions for their students, staff, and parents.

Schools can implement technology solutions that can detect and prevent cyberbullying. For instance, some use software to track students’ online activity and notify teachers or administrators if any suspicious bullying behavior is observed.

Conclusion

Bullying and cyberbullying are serious problems for children and adolescents that can have devastating long-term repercussions, including psychological harm and social isolation.

Both forms can be damaging, cyberbullying may be especially so due to its anonymity. As parents and educators, our role is to safeguard children against these dangers by informing them about both forms of bullying, monitoring online activity closely, and creating a culture of respect.

Together, we can ensure each child enjoys a safe environment where learning and growing take place in peace and security.

If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying or cyberbullying, please reach out for help. Contact a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional for support.

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