Hazards of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying involves the use of technology such as social networks, websites or instant messages to harass, threaten or embarrass someone rather than committing the acts face to face. Anyone can be the victim of cyberbullying, although it usually involves high school-age students. Both victims of cyberbullies and the cyberbullies themselves face hazards as a result of this bullying, including an increased risk of depression, suicide and legal action.
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Depression
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Depression is a serious illness that can lead to serious, even fatal complications, and victims of cyberbullying are at an increased risk of becoming depressed, reports the National Institutes of Health website. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that victims of cyberbullying felt isolated, dehumanized or helpless as a result of the attacks against them. The more frequently the cyberbullying occurred, the more depressed the victim felt. In addition, the bullies themselves also reported higher levels of depression than non-cyberbullies and non-victims, reports the website.
Harmed Reputation
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With prospective employers and college admissions officers searching the names of applicants on social media networks, victims of cyberbullying might have a difficult time getting a job or into their college of choice due to damage to their personal reputations. In addition to a poor online reputation, victims of cyberbullying might also experience harmful rumors about their personal lives, sexual behavior or orientation. Cyberbullies might lose privileges such as participation on team sports and lose status in the eyes of their peers, which could detract from their reputations.
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Suicide
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Victims who experience cyberbullying have an increased risk of suicidal ideation, reports the Cyberbullying Research Center website. According to the website, students who experienced all types of bullying, including cyberbullying, were 20 percent more likely to have seriously considered committing suicide and twice as likely to have actually attempted suicide compared to students who were not victims of bullying. Researchers have coined the term "cyberbullicide" for students who commit suicide as a result of harassment from cyberbullies, reports the website.
Legal Action
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People caught engaging in cyberbullying might face legal trouble, depending on their location, age and the extent of the bullying. In some states, such as Idaho, the legislature passed an anti-cyberbullying law that provides legal sanctions and school sanctions to bullies found guilty of cyberbullying. In addition, the state law requires all state school districts to implement an anti-cyberbullying policy, explains the Cyberbullying website. Other states, such as Alaska and Ohio deliver school-based sanctions for cyberbullying but not legal penalties, reports the website. In some cases, cyberbullies might break discrimination or sexual harassment laws. If an adult perpetrates an act of cyberbullying, the behavior might meet a legal definition of cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking, reports the Kids Health website.
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