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  • Essay / Cyberbullying: a study of the long-term effects on...

    Introduction: Cyberbullying is a subject that has been the subject of much research. As technology evolves, it is important that research is kept up to date on how victimization may affect present and future psychosocial adjustment problems. Cyberbullying is defined as victimization aimed at harming others through electronic means, where individuals can harm without physical interaction. (Tokunaga, 2010). Cyberbullying requires little planning and there is little chance of detection. It is important to realize that as adolescents become more technologically savvy, they participate in more and more online activities and therefore spend more time online. (Tokunaga, 2010). Cyberbullying has recently come to the forefront of media attention with regard to its detrimental effects on adolescent adjustment. Studies report that suicide, depression, academic problems, and a host of other adjustment problems are the result of victimization (Tokunaga, 2010). Cyberbullying can affect a teenager's psychosocial aspects by increasing feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-bullying. harm. Tokunaga (2010) reports a specific case in which a thirteen-year-old committed suicide after being bullied through a social networking site (Tokunaga, 2010). Additionally, another study determined that people who embody more than one role, such as being a victim, bystander, or bully, were more likely to think about ending their lives (Noret & Rivers, 2010). Unhappiness was also reported in a study conducted by Arsenault et al, 2006. Finally, Hay et al (2010) reported that self-harm, like cutting, can also be a consequence of cyberbullying. ..... middle of article ......mental bullying and cyberbullying: identification of risk groups for adjustment problems. Journal of Psychology, 217(4),205-213. doi:10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.205Tokunaga, RS (2010). Following you home from school: A critical review and synthesis of research on cyberbullying victimization. Journal of Computers in Human Behavior, 26 277-287. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2009.11.014Waasdorp, TE and Bradshaw, CP (2011). Examining student responses to frequent bullying: Alatent classroom approach. Journal of Educational Psychology, 103(2), 336-352. doi:10.1037/a0022747Ybarra, M.L., Mitchell, K.J., Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D. (2006). Examining the characteristics and associated distress related to Internet harassment: Results from the second Youth Internet Safety Survey. Journal of Pediatrics, 118(4), e1169-e1177. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-0815