HOW IS CYBERBULLYING DIFFERENT

HOW IS CYBERBULLYING DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL BULLYING?

Cyberbullying is different from face-to-face bullying because the bully is removed from the immediate and tangible feedback of the victim. They don't "see" the harm they have caused or the consequences of their actions, which minimizes any feelings of remorse or empathy. This creates a situation where kids do and say things on the Internet that they would be much less likely to do in person ("Stories & Grievances," 2004).

THERE ARE SEVEN DISTINCT FEATURES THAT SEPERATE TRADITIONAL BULLYING FROM CYBERBULLYING.

1. It depends on some degree of technological expertise.

2. It is primarily indirect rather than face-to-face, and thus can be anonymous.

3. The perpetrator does not usually see the victim's reaction, at least in the short term.

4. The variety of bystander roles in cyberbullying is more complex than in most traditional bullying (the bystander may be with the perpetrator when the act is sent or posted; with the victim when it is received; or with neither, when receiving the message or visiting the relevant internet site).

5. One motive for traditional bullying is thought to be the status gained by showing (abusive) power over others, in front of witnesses, but the perpetrator will often lack this in cyberbullying.

6. The breadth of the potential audience is increased, as cyberbullying can reach particularly large audiences in a peer group compared with the small groups that are the usual audience in traditional bullying.

7. It is difficult to escape from cyberbullying (there is no "safe haven"), as the victim may be sent messages to their phones or computer, or access nasty website comments, wherever they are (Slonje, Smith, & Frisen, 2012, p. 28-29).