The serious threat of Cyberbullying may not be a new issue, but it is important for parents to pay more attention to their children before they become victims of online harassment through social media.

          The online world is much more accessible than before, especially with social media that anyone can access even without a computer. Just by tapping the screen of a phone to open an application, distances can be bridged in a split second. However, this technology is like a double-edged sword, creating vulnerabilities that lead to Cyberbullying among children and teenagers, which can severely affect the mental health of those being bullied and may escalate to depression.

          Therefore, it is better to understand what Cyberbullying is and how we can prevent online harassment from impacting the mental well-being of our children or ourselves.

What is Cyberbullying?

          Cyberbullying refers to the harassment of children and teenagers in the high-tech era. It involves disputes between children using communication tools such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers connected to social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, chat apps, or various websites as primary tools for bullying and harassment. This form of bullying can occur 24 hours a day, unlike in the past when children could only bully each other at school or face-to-face.

What forms does Cyberbullying take?

          Online bullying can be categorized into six types:

  1. Verbal attacks, threats, or the use of abusive language.

          Posting insults, slander, or threats through chat channels or openly on the social media pages of the victim, such as Facebook or Line, threatening to harm them when they meet at school or elsewhere.

  1. Online sexual harassment.

          This includes making sexual threats through social media, coercing someone to perform sexual acts via camera, sending unsolicited nude images or videos, or posting edited nude images on social media to embarrass the victim.

  1. Impersonation of others.

          This often involves revealing someone else's social media password. For example, if a friend creates a Facebook or Line account for someone, they might be bullied by having their account used to post abusive messages, slander others, or share inappropriate images or videos.

  1. Blackmail.

          This involves revealing secrets or private images of friends through social media, widely sharing them, or making false accusations, such as editing embarrassing photos or posting candid shots for ridicule.

  1. Deception.

          This includes tricking someone into believing something false, arranging to meet for harmful purposes, or deceiving the victim into transferring money through various methods.

  1. Creating social media groups specifically to attack.

          As seen with anti-pages targeting individuals, where every action is scrutinized and discussed to harm those they dislike, often persuading others to feel disgusted and ostracizing them from their social circles.

          All actions that fall under Cyberbullying stem from malicious intent to embarrass, hurt, and cause distress. Thus, online bullying is often a repeated behavior, not just a one-time incident.

What causes Cyberbullying?

          The causes of Cyberbullying often start from minor conflicts between children, jealousy, or disputes over romantic interests, which can lead to online harassment. The anonymity provided by the online space encourages more bullying behavior.

          Additionally, children perceive social media as a space to express their feelings, leading to the use of harsh language and aggressive behavior. Technology also facilitates harm through social media, as it only takes typing a message to post something hurtful without any physical effort.

Who is at risk of Cyberbullying?

According to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Association of Thailand, a survey of children in Bangkok and surrounding areas found that about 48% of children are involved in Cyberbullying, whether as perpetrators, victims, or bystanders witnessing online harassment, with most being in middle school.

          Although social media platforms set a minimum age of 13 for users, as recommended by the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Association of Thailand, many children under this age still manage to falsify their age to access various social media. Children under 13 should not use these platforms as they are at risk of encountering harmful content and lack the skills to protect themselves from bullying, potentially becoming victims of Cyberbullying.

How can parents recognize signs of Cyberbullying?

          As parents, we can observe signs of Cyberbullying in our children through the following indicators:

          - Signs of depression, stress, or anxiety.

          - The child becomes withdrawn, speaks less, and spends all day on their phone or tablet.

          - They distance themselves from close family or friends at school.

          - They express reluctance to go to school and frequently skip classes.

          - A sudden drop in academic performance without explanation.

          - When confronted about embarrassing topics or asked why they are not attending school, the child may react with screaming, crying, or losing composure.

What are the impacts of Cyberbullying?

          The impacts of Cyberbullying on children can range from annoyance and distress to feelings of boredom with life, reluctance to attend school, and avoidance of social interactions. Some may experience ongoing haunting memories of the bullying, while others may suffer severe stress, leading to insomnia, loss of appetite, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.

          Those who bully may also feel discomfort or guilt afterward. However, the effects of Cyberbullying, whether on the bully or the victim, vary depending on individual personality and coping skills.

 

How to prevent Cyberbullying

          To protect children from the risks of Cyberbullying, parents can take the following steps:

  1. Teach children not to trust strangers, especially online. Anyone requesting to be friends should be thoroughly vetted; if unknown, do not accept the friend request.
  2. Keep an eye on where children go, who they are with, and who they chat with.
  3. Instruct children to safeguard their personal information, especially from strangers and those they are not close to. They should not disclose personal details like names, addresses, phone numbers, or personal emails. Importantly, remind them never to meet online friends in person.
  4. Establish agreements before allowing children to use communication tools and social media, enabling parents to monitor how children use social media, who they talk to, and if there are any irregularities.
  5. Parents should foster a good relationship with their children so that they feel comfortable sharing their life experiences. This way, when issues arise, children will be more willing to seek advice from us.

          However, children who are bullied online should also be mindful of their social media use. Remember, we can delete harmful messages and block those who bully us, or take a break from social media to avoid becoming victims of Cyberbullying.

          Additionally, parents should observe their children's behavior. If they show signs of irritability or unusual behavior after using social media, it may be necessary to talk and inquire about the reasons behind those feelings. This can help share the negative emotions from their experiences and encourage them to distance themselves from the online world to reduce stress.

Thank you for the information from: KAPOOK

Behavioral Science Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University

Facebook: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Association of Thailand