Sometimes, online bullying, like other kinds of bullying, can lead to serious long-lasting problems and around the world about one out of four children has a chance of getting bullying, according to Dr. Sami Ouanes (pictured), a clinical fellow in general adult psychiatry at Hamad Medical Corporation.
Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Cyberbullying also includes photos, messages, or pages that don’t get taken down, even after the person has been asked to do so. In other words, it’s anything that gets posted online and is meant to hurt, harass, or upset someone else.
According Dr. Ouanes, online bullying can be particularly damaging and upsetting because it is usually anonymous or hard to trace. It is also hard to control, and the person being victimised has no idea how many people (or hundreds of people) have seen the messages or posts. People can be tormented nonstop whenever they check their device or computer.
“A big difference between cyberbullying and traditional bullying is that cyberbullying can happen anywhere. As long as someone has access to the Internet, a bully can harass someone and a victim can find an offensive comment about them,” Dr Ouanes.
“The role of the parent and school is crucial and they have to be able to identify if the child is a victim of bullying. They should encourage children to take about any harassment and take action,” he added.
Dr. Ouanes also emphasized that if any child needs help due to the effects of bullying they can be referred to Hamad Medical Corporation or to Sidra Medicine for assistance from psychologists.
“Bullying is not only a topic for mental health professionals to tackle, every single teacher and school has a big role, also media has role in raising awareness in trying to reduce the shame of victims,” said Dr. Ouanes.
“Sometimes the problem is that we think we are exceptional and immune to some issues like cyberbullying, but we have to be aware that these things can happen to anyone at anytime. “Even though the social structure in Qatar is protective, but nothing is 100 percent protected,” he added.
The victims of cyberbullying are more likely to have physical and emotional health issues, and may suffer from low self-esteem. Poor grades in school are another consequence of cyberbullying that can also be accompanied by an attempt by the victim to avoid other children by refusing to go to school.
Common effects and feelings associated with cyberbullying
Feeling Overwhelmed: Being targeted by cyberbullies is crushing especially if a lot of kids are participating in the bullying. It can feel at times like the entire world knows what it is going on. Sometimes the stress of dealing with cyberbullying can cause kids to feel like the situation is more than they can handle.
Feeling Vulnerable and Powerless: Victims of cyberbullying often find it difficult to feel safe. Typically, this is because the bullying can invade their home through a computer or cell phone at any time of day. They no longer have a place where they can escape. To a victim, it feels like bullying is everywhere. Additionally, because the bullies can remain anonymous, this can escalate feelings of fear. Kids who are targeted have no idea who is inflicting the pain — although some cyberbullies choose people they know.
Feeling Exposed and Humiliated: Because cyberbullying occurs in cyberspace, online bullying feels permanent. Kids know that once something is out there, it will always be out there. When cyberbullying occurs, the nasty posts, messages or texts can be shared with multitudes of people. The sheer volume of people that know about the bullying can lead to intense feelings of humiliation.
Feeling Dissatisfied With Who They Are: Cyberbullying often attacks victims where they are most vulnerable. As a result, targets of cyberbullying often begin to doubt their worth and value. They may respond to these feelings by harming themselves in some way.
For instance, if a girl is called fat, she may begin a crash diet with the belief that if she alters how she looks then the bullying will stop. Other times victims will try to change something about their appearance or attitude in order to avoid additional cyberbullying.
