Cyber-bullying even goes beyond the limits of traditional victim/bully relationship. Some cyber-bullies are ex-boyfriends or girlfriends who want to get revenge on their ex. They use technology to stalk, harass and spread rumors about the other person.
When the victim is someone from school, he or she often gets bullied in "real life" in school and then the bully continues it when they get home so the victim rarely gets a break from the torment.
When the bully doesn't even know who the target is, bullying can be especially dangerous when they don't know the background of the person they are harassing.
Why do some people view cyber-bullying as "just a game"? Many children and teens play role-playing games online which involve making up personas and avatars. They easily transfer this concept to instant messaging, chat rooms, and email when they make up names and avatars even though they are talking to real people. To add to this concept, they often feel invisible because it's just a computer and a keyboard and no "real people" to evoke empathy as a result of their actions.
How do cyber-bullies justify their actions? Cyber-bullies use the concept of free speech to justify their actions - they know by law they can say what they want on-line and in text messaging. They simply fail to understand that even though it's legal, it may not be right. They also often feel like they won't get caught so it’s okay or that everyone is doing it, so it's okay.
How do you know if your child is cyber-bullying? If your child spend unusually long hours on the computer, is secretive about his or her internet activity, often closes windows when you approach the computer and begins falling behind on school work.
What can happen to cyber-bullies? Victims of cyber-bullying can find out who is harassing them even when the bullies think they are being anonymous. Most of the time, people leave what is called "cyber footprints" when they surf the internet and that goes for cyber-bullies as well. Even when they make anonymous accounts, experts can trace where they've been and see what they"ve done. Families of victims of cyber-bullying can take legal action against the parents of the cyber-bully.
Read
Part 3 here.
