Educational Impact

Cyber bullying has been documented for its negative impact on adolescent emotional well-being. Studies have shown that difficulty making friends, loneliness, low self-esteem, depression, truancy, and thoughts of suicide are all linked with online harassment. These factors have, in turn, been proven to negatively affect academic performance. Instead of focusing on academic achievement, the person can become caught up in their victimization. Concern for their safety may be their first priority. A study by Kowalski & Limber found that children who were both cyber bullies and victims of cyber bullying had higher rates of anxiety, depression, and school absences compared to their peers. Children who were not involved in cyber bullying at any level had the highest self-esteem and grades and fewest symptoms of health problems.

This streamed chart shows how a sample of students felt after experiencing cyber bullying.

A recent study found that students who experienced cyber bullying perceived a poorer climate at their school than those who had not.

Cyber bullying can cause lasting pain. The damage is incredibly real. According to a study by Hinduja and Patchin, 20 percent of cyber bullying victims had considered suicide. The total number of suicides that involved some amount of cyber bullying is unknown, but Hinduja and Patchin also found that those who experienced cyber bullying were almost twice as likely to have attempted suicide compared to youth who had not experienced cyber bullying.

Take a look at one victim's tragic story.

Video streamed from Youtube

As technology use becomes more integrated into the classroom, educators must be aware of the potential dangers of the technology they present. An interactive and anonymous web page for group members may seem like an excellent tool until hurtful messages are posted. Teaching students to blog is a valuable skill, but also one that can be used to ruin someone's life.

Resources:

"Cyberbullying." Stop Bullying Now! U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2010. Web. 3 Jun. 2011. <http://regions.hrsa.gov/adults/cyber-bullying.aspx>.

Hinduja, Sameer and Justin W. Patchin. “Cyberbullying: Identification, Prevention, and Response.” Cyberbullying Research Center 2010. 20 May 2011. <http://www.cyberbullying.us/index.php>.

"How Cyberbullying Victims Felt." No Cyberbullying! Dec. 2010. Web. 3 Jun. 2011. <http://mapvn.glogster.com/no-cyberbullying/>.

Walker, Jenny. "Cyberbullying and Suicide: Hinduja & Patchin Research." Cyberbullying Research Center. 11 May 2011. Web. 4 Jun. 2011. <http://www.cyberbullying news.com/2010/05/cyberbullying-and-suicide-hinduja-patchin-research/>.