A lot of people have questions about a relatively new phenomenon called cyber bullying. One of the main ones we often hear is, “What is the difference between cyber bullying and traditional bullying?” This is a question we often hear when people talk about bullying, particularly when it happens online. Isn’t bullying the same regardless of whether it happens online?
The fact that we even ask ourselves this question implies that there are some key differences… and there are. Cyber bullying is arguably a lot more dangerous because it is a relatively new phenomenon. Not a lot of people know how to handle cyber bullying when they see it.
Disclaimer: Before reading any further, be sure to understand what cyber bullying really is and why it is important. There is a teens version, a parents version, and a teachers version.
What Is Cyberbullying, And How To Prevent It
Before pointing out the differences between online bullying and the real world bullying before the Internet, it might be important to understand some of their similarities.
The main thing they have in common is the obvious element: bullying. In both cases of bullying, the bully uses threatening or mean acts of agression designed to cause harm towards someone else (the victim). They know what they are doing and, in both cases, they have the intention of causing their victims pain.
With the intentions of the same for both traditional bullying and cyber bullying, they have similar effects on the victim as well. People who get picked on usually experience depression, loneliness, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, and a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy.
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When it comes to bullying, this does not usually refer to an single incident. This is an act that happens over and over again, to the point where it has severe effects on the bully’s target. The effects get worse for the victim as the bully shows no remorse what they do… whether it’s online or in person.
Traditional bullying and cyberbullying have similar relationships when it comes to power structure, and it is always in favor of the bully. Bullies will only pick on those who they think are weaker than they are. It could be for whatever reason, but bullies are usually aggressive and they tend to target passive victims in situations where the victim cannot defend themselves.
Bullies usually don’t attack their targets unless they feel like they have the power. In all other cases, they are afraid and think they might suffer consequences for their actions, because they know what they’re doing is wrong.
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The biggest difference between cyber bullying and traditional bullying is the fact that the Internet actually gives the offender an extra degree of protection.
Back in the ‘traditional bullying’ days, at least victims knew who their aggressor was. Now, the victims are clearly identifiable online (whether it’s through their phone number or one of their social media profiles) and cyber bullies can hide their identities while harassing that person.
Another difference between cyber bullying and traditional bullying is that cyber bullying 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.
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Before everyone had easy access to the Internet, bullying was more isolated. It typically happened during school hours and in places where the bully and victim were in the same location.
In today’s age, there is literally nowhere to hide if you are a victim of bullying. Someone could find a message from a cyber bully from the moment they wake up until the time they go to sleep. They could find one during school hours and/or in the privacy of their own home.
While people can be hostile both online or offline, one of the other key differences between cyber bullying and traditional bullying is the fact that things can be shared easily.
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While most traditional bullying takes place in front of a relatively small number of witnesses, cyberbullying plays out in front of anyone who has access to the Internet and comes across a cyber bully’s post.
What’s worse is that most people don’t do anything about it simply because they feel like nothing can be done online. Some people even play a role in sharing some of these hurtful messages, and posts to their friends, which gives the victim even more negative exposure.
(Side Note: If you are a teen, make sure you read this article about bystanders, which discusses why you should take action against cyber bullies even if you aren’t the one being bullied.)
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Generally, solving a problem that happens online is very different from what happens in the real world. The Internet is still a relatively new phenomenon for most people, and it is constantly changing based on how we react to it.
Nowadays, people seem to believe that there are worse reprocussions for cyber bullying compared to traditional bullying. Victims are less likely to tell their parents or teachers about a cyber bullying incident because they may fear that they’ll receive a worse punishment, like having their computer or phone taken away.
Furthermore, because cyber bullies don’t have face-to-face encounters with their victim, they are also less likely to feel guilty for what they do. In other words, they do not know how their words or actions actually affect someone else online. This leads to bullies being more aggressive and victims being more vulnerable.
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As people still attempt to understand everything about the online world and the Information Age, there is still one key difference between cyber bullying and traditional bullying. It lies in the very essence of what every Internet safety organization recommends: saving the evidence.
Although some differences between cyber bullying and traditional bullying may pose threats about whether we should use social media, organizations have now made it easier for people to document cyber bullying incidents and report them to the proper authorities.
Cyber bullying may be dangerous and a little more difficult to prevent right now, but that’s exactly why we should take this seriously and combat these forms of bullying together. As students, parents, teachers and school administrators, it is important to have open paths of communication with everyone and to continue talking about how to prevent cyber bullying from happening.
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Be a good digital citizen. You will be responsible for everything you post (and everything you ever posted). Think about different perspectives before you post, as well as how people may react to it.
Don’t be afraid to talk to someone you trust about cyber bullying. As you become more conscious about cyber bullying, you will get better in thinking about how to combat cyber bullying.There are many different types of bullying a student may experience, such as physical, verbal, emotional, or cyber. While all forms are equally hurtful, many behaviors harm students emotionally rather than physically, or happen in online environments versus the physical world — making it harder for adults to identify.
Physical bullying is often easier for adults to detect because the behavior is overt or signs are left behind (bruises, broken bones, damaged belongings). However, the words, gossip, rumors, or shared secrets that constitute verbal and social bullying don’t leave a physical trail of the emotional pain.
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Bullying in online environments usually happens outside of adults’ view as well. While it often leaves behind an electronic trail of hurtful words or images, adults don’t know it is happening unless the student tells someone or an adult is monitoring their online activity.
There are different types of bullying, such as physical, verbal, emotional, or cyber. While all forms are equally hurtful, some harm students emotionally rather than physically — making it harder for adults to identify.
Physical bullying may be easier to recognize as it can leave behind bruises, broken bones, or damaged personal property. Cyberbullying is another form of bullying that may be easier to recognize because of the electronic trail of saved texts, screenshots, or social media posts.
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Yet, if a student doesn’t share the cyberbullying with an adult or the online behavior isn’t being monitored, it can be difficult to recognize these hurtful behaviors that are happening in the online world rather than the physical world.
Cyberbullying, along with emotional (social) and verbal bullying, do not leave behind physical damage; instead, there are emotional scars that are harder for adults to see.
Emotional (social) bullying is the most sophisticated of all the types of bullying. It is generally done in secret without the target present, is very calculated, and often done in groups. It can include manipulation, gossip, rumors, threats of sharing secrets, or social exclusion. It’s difficult to detect for the casual observer, as they don’t have full knowledge or access to the nuances or social structures surrounding the behavior, such as cliques or inside jokes.
Differences Between Cyber Bullying And Traditional Bullying
Verbal bullying can also be difficult to detect as it is often quick and direct. It’s the easiest to inflict on other children, and includes teasing, name calling, intimidation, making threats, and gossip. Like social bullying, this doesn’t leave any physical scars, but can be used in a powerful, covert way to hurt and harm students.
Additionally, adults may be unaware of any bullying
