What is Cyberbullying?

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“What is Cyberbullying?” is one of the most frequent questions we are asked because many know what it is when it happens, but have trouble wrapping succinct descriptive words around it. Formally, we define it as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices” (from Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying). We developed this definition because it is simple, concise, and reasonably comprehensive and it captures the most important elements. These elements include the following:

  • Willful: The behavior has to be deliberate, not accidental.
  • Repeated: Bullying reflects a pattern of behavior, not just one isolated incident.
  • Harm: The target must perceive that harm was inflicted.
  • Computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices: This, of course, is what differentiates cyberbullying from traditional bullying

When we survey students for our research, we define cyberbullying in a way that we feel is more relevant to their everyday experiences. Specifically, we say that “cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online or repeatedly picks on another person through e-mail or text message or when someone posts something online about another person that they don’t like.” We also ask about specific behaviors that might constitute cyberbullying (such as: hurtful comments, threats, rumors, pictures, or videos posted or circulated online). Depending on the circumstances, these experiences could constitute cyberbullying.

It is important to remember that one instance of mistreatment cannot accurately be equated to bullying, as it must involve harmful behavior of a repetitive nature. Even though many people call one instance of harassment on the playground “bullying,” that really isn’t an accurate characterization. Most research makes a clear distinction between bullying and harassment, differentiating the two based on the former’s recurrent quality. That is not to say that harassment or some other form of hurtful behavior done once is not harmful to the victim—it just isn’t bullying. And while this distinction can be perceived as one of simple semantics or a matter for purely academic debate, we feel it is noteworthy. In fact, we believe bullying is actually harassment taken to the next level.

To be sure, part of the reason bullying can be so emotionally or psychologically damaging is because it is repetitive. Those who are targeted actually have a relationship with the one doing the bullying, albeit a dysfunctional one. For example, targets of bullying often dread going to school because of what the other person might do that day. If the incident occurs/occurred one time, there is no such dynamic. We believe that the nature of cyberbullying makes it very likely that repetitive harm will occur. For example, imagine someone posts a particularly embarrassing picture of another person online in such a way that others can see it, link to it, and even leave public comments in reference to it. While the action of uploading the picture is a one-time behavior, others can view it or otherwise refer to it repeatedly, thereby resulting in recurring humiliation and shame to the target. One person might see it, or millions of people might see it.

Though not explicit in our definition, there is usually an imbalance of power in cyberbullying situations. We chose not to include it as a definitional component, because the type of power being exerted in cyberspace is somewhat amorphous and often shifting. While power in traditional bullying might be physical (stature) or social (wit or popularity), online power may simply stem from proficiency with or the knowledge or possession of some content (information, pictures, or video) that can be used to inflict harm. Anyone with any of these characteristics or possessions within a certain online context has power, which can be wielded through some form of cyberbullying. Indeed, anyone who can utilize technology in a way that allows them to mistreat others is in a position of power—at least at that moment—relative to the target of the attack. In addition, it is can be difficult to measure this differential. As researchers we want to focus on the characteristic that are at least somewhat quantifiable. Suffice it to say that if one is being targeted for harassment in a way that doesn’t allow him to capably respond, he lacks power in that dynamic and it is right to say that he is being bullied.

Also, we must mention that we tend to explicitly focus our attention on adolescents when we refer to cyberbullying. Many people use the term bullying to refer to a wide variety of behaviors between individuals of varying ages. We feel, though, that it is more appropriate to reserve the term bullying, and therefore also cyberbullying, for the kinds of behaviors we describe below as they occur between adolescent peers. While these behaviors often occur among adults as well, it is not usually proper to call the incidents bullying. We acknowledge that there is some debate about this distinction, but we want to be clear who and what we are focusing on in our research.

For more information about the nature and extent of cyberbullying, please see this overview: Cyberbullying Fact Sheet: Identification, Prevention, and Response

12 Comments

  1. Can someone refer me to an organization that can help me force removal of a FB group called Buyer Beware: The Smock Chopping Block? They are a destructive group, the admin allows anyone to post anything about anyones business. You do not have to provide proof or screen shorts. It destroys reputations and lives. The admin does not monitor the page, at all, she deletes comments and people when they are about her, but allows anyone to post about anyone else. Its so harmful, they personally attack business owners families, and lives. This has to be stopped, my friend was suicidal this week because of the some of the things that were allowed to be posted here. Please help!

    • If you can send us screenshots of clear violations of FB's Terms of Service, we can definitely try to help and coordinate action with FB. Thanks, Kyle.

  2. I just looked at it out of curiosity. Since it's a closed group nothing can be seen. If this is the same page why does your friend belong to it? I can't imagine being in that evil group.

  3. C’è una persona che ha una pagina instagram di piatti e ricette, come tante altre… Ma ogni giorno pubblica storie dove denigra e umilia i lavori degli altri, tempo fa lo aveva fatto anche con me, ma non ero stata zitta, da allora, per un po’ ha smesso, adesso invece ha ripreso, ogni giorno.. Solo più da furba, tagliando i nomi ma mettendo le foto prese dalle pagine.. Come si può far smettere?

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