Is Cyberbullying Still An Issue For Kids In The Quad Cities?

Sadly the answer to our question is yes. At least before online bullying, you could at least put a face to the name of your bully. Now it is much harder.

Bullying and online bullying are nothing new. Cyberbullying has been around for a very long time. Sadly many areas saw a rise in cyberbullying in 2020 as more kids switched to online learning. As kids spent more time online bullying also started to happen more online.

What Is Cyberbullying?

It should be noted that it is not just young kids who deal with this, many teens do as well. So what is cyberbullying? According to stopbullying.gov,

Cyberbullying or cyberharassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyberbullying and cyberharassment are also known as online bullying.

 

 

How It Started For Some

Online learning has played a large role in the growth of cyberbullying. According to KCRG the threat of cyberbullying for kids is very real. Angie Boy, a program manager at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children stated,

"There’s no escape from cyberbullying because it follows you home, because your technology follows you home."

Many kids were frustrated to be stuck at home which could lead to them lashing out at friends online. Being a kid, or a teen is hard... having to spend a couple of years of that hard time mostly online was even harder. This could have led to many fights, mean messages, and just overall bullying online.

"Children have higher levels of anxiety, higher levels of depression as a result of dealing with cyberbullying, which can then have an impact on their behaviors as they continue to age."

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Why Is Cyberbullying still happening

Even though things are "back to normal" it appears that many bullies prefer the anonymous aspect of this kind of bullying. They face fewer actions against their bullying as well since it is not on school grounds, and is harder to prove. Again there is no face to the name of the bully. Many kids also feel uncomfortable talking about it.

There are cyberbullying signs to spot. Things like your child not using their device as much, and other small simple signs. Experts like Angie Boy suggest looking for red flags and trying to help. You can learn more about that here.