What Makes Cyberbullying Different

Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group intended to hurt others. Unlike traditional bullying that typically ends when the school day ends, cyberbullying follows victims home, into their bedrooms, and persists around the clock.

The Unique Dangers of Cyberbullying

Several factors make cyberbullying particularly dangerous and damaging:

• 24/7 Access: There’s no escape from cyberbullying. It can happen at any time, day or night, invading the victim’s home and personal space
• Permanent Record: Digital content can be saved, shared, and resurface indefinitely, causing ongoing harm
• Wide Audience: Humiliating content can reach hundreds or thousands of people instantly
• Anonymity: Bullies can hide behind fake profiles, making them harder to identify and hold accountable
• Invisible to Adults: Unlike physical bullying, cyberbullying leaves no visible signs, making it difficult for parents and educators to detect

No longer can parents count on seeing the physical signs of bullying—a black eye, torn clothes, or visible distress. Since nothing is visible on the outside, the psychological damage done by cyberbullies can be considerably more painful and long-lasting.

Common Methods of Cyberbullying

Many students are using the following cyberbullying methods to humiliate, intimidate, and harm other people:

The “I Hate So-and-So” Groups

What about online hate groups? It’s unfortunate, but some students create “I hate so and so” groups on social media platforms. They go onto Facebook (for example) and create a new group called “I hate [Target’s Name]” and then forward it to all the students in their school. Other students start writing on the group wall about how much they hate the targeted person.

Warning Signs of Cyberbullying

One thing is certain: regardless of whether the bullying is physical, verbal, or cyber, the psychological signs are usually the same. Parents, educators, and concerned adults should watch for these warning signs:

• Low self-esteem – Sudden changes in confidence or self-worth
• Depression – Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities
• Anxiety – Increased nervousness, worry, or panic attacks
• Avoidance of technology – Reluctance to use phone or computer after previously enjoying them
• Emotional responses to devices – Becoming upset, angry, or anxious when receiving messages or notifications
• Withdrawal from social activities – Isolating from friends and family
• Declining academic performance – Difficulty concentrating or completing schoolwork
• Changes in sleep patterns – Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Physical symptoms – Headaches, stomachaches, or other stress-related complaints
• Secretive behavior about online activities – Hiding screens or being evasive about digital interactions

Alarming Cyberbullying Statistics

These statistics reveal a critical problem: the majority of cyberbullying incidents go unreported to adults. This silence allows the abuse to continue and escalate, causing severe psychological harm to victims.

What Parents Can Do to Prevent Cyberbullying

Parents play the most critical role in preventing and addressing cyberbullying. Here are essential strategies every parent should implement:

1. Monitor Digital Activity

Try to keep the computer in an open area of your home, such as the family room or kitchen, rather than in your child’s bedroom. The only way to ensure your child doesn’t become a victim of cyberbullying is to be aware of what your child is doing online.

As a suggestion, we offer a software program through ReportBullying.com that will alert parents if certain bullying or aggressive words or phrases are written on your child’s social media accounts. This provides an additional layer of protection and awareness.

2. Engage with Social Media Platforms

To protect your child on Facebook and other social media platforms, consider these steps:

• Open your own account on the platforms your child uses (Note: check each platform’s minimum age requirements)
• Ask your son or daughter to connect with you as a friend
• This way you can see what is posted on their public profiles
• Have access to your child’s username and password so you can review private messages if necessary

3. Teach Self-Protection Strategies

Teach your children how to protect themselves in case of cyberbullying. Many incidents occur in the comfort of the child’s bedroom where no bystanders are present. The messages going back and forth are done privately, so it is crucial that kids are taught how to protect themselves.

Some essential pointers that kids need to be aware of:

1. Stop and don’t reply to bullies – Bullies crave attention and reactions; don’t give them what they want
2. Copy the message – Save all evidence; adults need to see proof to take appropriate action
3. Tell an adult immediately – Don’t wait or try to handle it alone
4. Block the bully – Use privacy settings to prevent further contact
5. Never share passwords – Protect account security at all times

4. Create a Safe Reporting Environment

According to ReportBullying.com surveys, the number one reason kids do not tell their parents about cyberbullying is because they fear their mom or dad will take the computer or phone away. This fear of losing access to technology and their social connections keeps them silent about abuse.

Parents should have a serious conversation with their children and reassure them that it is ALWAYS OKAY to speak up about cyberbullying. Make it clear that reporting cyberbullying will not result in punishment or loss of technology privileges—instead, it will result in appropriate intervention to stop the abuse.

This is the type of change we need. Parents need to be more involved in what their children are doing online by teaching them the right thing to do and creating an environment where open communication about digital experiences is encouraged and supported.

The Power of Anonymity Online

In the real world, a bully usually is bigger, stronger, or more popular than other kids to be able to inflict any real damage. But online, any person can play the role of “cyberbully” and demean your child with threats, taunts, and harsh words.

The internet’s anonymity removes many of the normal social barriers that prevent bullying. People who would never say cruel things face-to-face feel emboldened behind a screen. This makes cyberbullying particularly insidious—your child could be targeted by anyone, from anywhere, at any time.

The Law and the Internet

Many people mistakenly believe that online behavior isn’t governed by the same laws that apply in the physical world. This is false and dangerous thinking.

Illegal Online Activities Include:

• Unauthorized Access – Hacking into accounts or systems
• Possession/Distribution of Passwords – Sharing or using others’ login credentials without permission
• Using Copyrighted Information – Stealing and distributing protected content
• Impersonating Someone – Creating fake profiles or pretending to be another person
• Threatening or Harassing – Making threats of violence or persistent harassment
• Hate Crimes – Targeting individuals based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics

When cyberbullying crosses into criminal behavior—such as threats of violence, stalking, harassment, or sharing explicit images of minors—law enforcement should be contacted immediately. Police are required to investigate these complaints.

What Schools Can Do About Cyberbullying

Schools face unique challenges when addressing cyberbullying because much of it occurs off campus and outside school hours. However, schools are not powerless.

The Constitutional Challenge

When schools attempt to discipline students for cyberbullying actions that took place off campus or off school property, they often get sued for exceeding their authority and violating the student’s right to free speech. This constitutional protection has historically limited schools’ ability to intervene.

The Solution: Policy Language Matters

To address this constitutional problem, schools should add a provision to their anti-bullying policy reserving the right to discipline students for actions taken off school property if these actions adversely affect the safety and well-being of students while in school.

Reporting Systems

If any school is looking for an online cyberbullying reporting program, ReportBullying.com offers this service for schools with all student reports going directly to designated counselors or administrators. This provides a confidential, accessible way for students to report cyberbullying and ensures prompt intervention.

School-Wide Education

Schools should implement comprehensive digital citizenship education that covers:

• Responsible social media use
• Online privacy and security
• Recognizing and reporting cyberbullying
• The permanent nature of digital content
• Empathy and respect in digital communications
• Legal consequences of cyberbullying

Moving Forward: Creating a Safer Digital World

Cyberbullying represents one of the most significant challenges facing young people today. Unlike traditional bullying, it never stops—it follows them home, invades their private spaces, and can cause devastating psychological harm that lasts for years.

However, we are not powerless. Through education, supervision, open communication, and appropriate intervention, we can protect our children from cyberbullying and teach them to be responsible digital citizens who treat others with respect online.

The key is recognizing that cyberbullying requires a community response. Parents must be involved and vigilant. Schools must implement comprehensive policies and education programs. Law enforcement must take cyberbullying seriously and pursue criminal cases when appropriate. And young people themselves must understand that their online actions have real-world consequences.

Together, we can create a digital world where all young people can connect, communicate, and explore safely—without fear of harassment, humiliation, or harm.

Learn More About Cyberbullying Prevention