The
Daily Telegraph
Dominating, dangerous, daring and detrimental
disease otherwise known as cyberbullying. By: Celine Harb
(September 1st, 2019)
Bullying is becoming an epidemic
dominating our Australian society, more
specifically cyberbullying. “Cyber
Bullying is when a child, preteen or teen is
tormented, threatened, harassed,
humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise
targeted by another child, preteen or teen
using the internet, interactive technologies
or mobile phones.” Cyberbullying also
referred to as a modern form of bullying is
becoming more prevalent this day in age
oppose to before and the implication this
has on the bully and victim is devastating.
This is a result of the frequent access
children, pre-teens and teens acquire. The
unfortunate truth regarding cyberbullying
is that any victim can become a target at
any given time, whether at school or home,
this is a result of the technology which
allows access anytime, anywhere by
anyone.
Cyberbullying can have major implications
of the bully and the victim, therefore it’s
imperative that cyberbullying is stopped.
Cyberbullying has short-term and long-
term repercussions for the victim which
are devastating this may include
difficulties socialising and making friends,
anxiety, sleep difficulties, issues with
depression and slipping grades. Some
children even resort to suicide which
ultimately affects the community as a
whole. Although many individuals don’t
take into account the ramification and
consequences cyberbullying can have on
the bully themselves. Many bullies result
to bullying as a coping mechanism, as they
have been bullied themselves. This can
affect their behaviour in ways where they
turn to drug and alcohol use, trouble with
the law, dropping out of school, and
domestic violence. Cyberbullying affects a
bully and a victim’s health in physical,
social, mental, emotional and spiritual
ways. It has great repercussions on both
the bully and the victim and cyberbullying
that doesn’t stop in adolescent years will
ultimately impact individuals into
adulthood.
This image showcases the many labels bullies give to their victims. The inferiority of the
victim’s face replicates the effects of bullying on victims.
The rising number of means by which an
individual can undertake communication
via social media has increased the potential
for cyberbullying to strike. The frightening
truth is that cyberbullying is becoming
more prevalent than ever before, this is a
result of the generational shift in how
today’s adolescence perceives and handle
technology. A statistic of one in five
children, in Australia alone, have to
experience the detrimental effects of
cyberbullying. Due to the reason that many
children have access to social media the
predominance of cyberbullying increases
and continue to increase. A statistic shows
that 42% of cyberbullying uses Instagram
as a platform, followed by 37% on
Facebook, 31% on Snap chat, 10% on
YouTube and 9% on twitter. Due to the
dominant ripple effect cyberbullying is
creating, the prevalence of cyberbullying
increases at unbelievable rates “Among 14
to 16-year-olds, reported cyberbullying has
doubled in the last 12 months from 18 per
cent to 36 per cent.” (10 daily. com)
Alternatively, if the community doesn’t
find a way to prevent this epidemic the
effects and outcomes of cyberbullying will
continue to grow.
This image showcases the different types of platforms available for
children to access. It’s platform like these which enable
cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying is identified as a severe
public health threat because of the millions
of lives it targets and effects. Since it’s
becoming a severe epidemic several
courses of actions are being taken by
schools, police, authorities, helplines and
support groups. Schools have an
overarching influence of bullies and
victims, though cyberbullying may not
occur at school, it’s a given fact that
schooling shapes a children ethics, and
morals. Therefore, many schools
implement mechanisms such as anti-
bullying ambassadors, phycologists, anti-
bullying days, indirect anti-bulling forms,
teacher mentoring, support groups, many
schools also stress the importance of
educating children on the topic. Authorities
and the law categorise cyberbullying as a
criminal offence (Section 474.17 of the
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Commonwealth)
criminalises the use of a phone or the
internet to threaten, harass or seriously
offend somebody.) the police have the
authority to take legal action for offenders.
Helplines offer prevention and
identification tips, they also provide a
trained professional who may help
children who are suffering the effects of
cyberbullying.
“Unless our society recognises
cyberbullying for what it is, the
suffering of thousands of silent
victims will continue. Anna Maria
Chavez”.
If you or anyone you know is dealing with
cyberbullying, the following sources can
help:
1. Kids Help Line
2. Beyond Blue
3. Head Space
You may also want to consult a trusted
adult, this can be a parent or teacher. If you
are a victim of cyberbullying be sure to
record evidence as proof.
Cyberbullying is one of the biggest
diseases affecting the lives of many
children, the implications cyberbullying
can have on the bully and victim can be
devastating. Now in the twenty first
century cyberbullying is greater than ever
this is a result of the immense access
children have to technology. Many
children suffer in silence sitting in front of
a screen, whilst they are force-fed lies in
which they believe, therefore measures and
precautions must be put in place. Schools,
authorities and legal personnel are working
to create a safer environment and future.
This day in age more than ever before, is
imperative that we society as a whole
come to a solution to create a safer,
peaceful and ideal place for not only this
generation but for the generations to come,
because if cyberbullying is a catastrophe
now, imagine what point it will reach for
the generations to come.

“Cyber bullies can hide behind a

mask of anonymity online, and do
not need direct physical access to
their victims to do unimaginable
harm.” Anna Maria Chavez.