Did you know that Cyberbullying is a virtual form of intimidation?

Faced with the massive development of information and communication technologies (ICTs), people around the world interact faster and more effectively. Unfortunately, however, these tools have meant that traditional bullying (harassment) has been superseded by the virtual form of bullying which is called cyberbullying.

It is indisputable that ICTs have wide benefits, for example, for people with difficulties to interact socially, shy, etc., who use cyberspace for exchange, or simply offer them a safe environment to present themselves to others. Even so, these media also continue to be the channel for totally negative effects, leading to indirect violence, discrimination, intimidation, aggression and harassment through electronic means. Cyberbullying is considered aggressive and intentional behavior through these means, repeated over time and carried out by one or more people directed at a victim who is unable to defend themselves. The results in relation to the prevalence of this phenomenon are mainly concentrated in the secondary and university education population, especially in the female gender. Several studies have revealed that, among the most frequent manifestations, there are emotional impacts such as low motivation, low self-esteem, lack of concentration, low performance, absenteeism, anguish, sadness, frustration, fear of being rejected, the need for validation by others, hostility, irritability, embarrassment and fits of anger, behavior problems and tendency to consume tobacco and alcohol, all as a consequence of having been attacked. Various organizations have recognized cyberbullying as a highly relevant problem. There are three types of roles related to cyberbullying: the aggressor individuals, the victims and the bystanders. In this case, those children and young bullies have tendencies to develop acute antisocial behaviors such as problems in their schools, substance use and aggressive behavior, so it is recommended that parents be alert to clear signs that warn them about whether Your children may be involved in bullying situations such as frequent verbal or physical fights, or blaming others for their problems.

On the other hand, those who expect bullying also often perceive the effects on their mental health. For example, some students who have witnessed bullying in their schools have suffered from increased depression, stress, anxiety, or fear of retaliation, whether they supported the victim or the bully. Therefore, cyberbullying is linked to emotional, psychological and psychosomatic disorders that can cause more serious affectations such as the idea of ​​suicide or the appearance of traumas, disorders that tend to intensify under conditions of cyber siege, especially if it originates for psychological reasons. sexual. In this way, victims may self-harm or suffer post-traumatic symptoms due to the fear of exposing themselves in the digital environment, on the one hand, because the perpetrator remains anonymous and is rarely convicted. To deal with cyberbullying, some specialists recommend the support of experts and psychologists to reduce the victims' anguish, which can favorably help the development of positive emotions that favor this coping, which is often linked to emotional intelligence, which It is the ability to observe, understand and regulate emotions. In this regard, scholars of the subject have observed that, if the individual pays attention to their emotions, but understands them little or regulates them insufficiently, they are more likely to suffer cyberbullying. However, if you work on emotional intelligence, any threat, teasing or intimidation could have less psychological impact. It is essential that, fundamentally, parents, if they perceive their children with depression, anxiety, withdrawn or avoiding activities that they have normally enjoyed, understand that it may be due to the fact that they suffer some situation of harassment, so it is transcendental that they talk about the possible causes. It is also recommended to search for professionals, doctors or psychologists who can treat the consequences of bullying and identify protection mechanisms. The treatment of cyberbullying and associated mental health problems can help prevent harmful and negative experiences, allowing children and young people to continue on positive paths in their schools or universities, with their effective relationships and optimal personal development.