“Invisible wounds” appear behind the screen:
the emotional consequences of cyberbullying in children and young people
Cyberbullying is a form of violence and bullying through the use of electronic means of communication through popular social networks, forums, online chats, text messages, and other widely available digital platforms. It is characterized by a repetitive form of violence with the aim of intentionally causing discomfort and emotional vulnerability in the victim. Typical manifestations of cyber attacks are generally known: insults and threats through offensive messages, comments or calls, ignoring and excluding the victim, distribution of false information and impersonation, sharing the victim’s private information with the general public, manipulating photos or creating fake photos of the victim, and all manifestations characterized by continuous attacks that can cause serious emotional consequences.
Cyberbullying leads to serious consequences that can vary in duration and intensity, and include the following:
(1) Anxiety and depression: continuous threats, insults, or general virtual abuse leave a significant impact on the emotional well-being of the victim, who often experiences an increased level of anxiety and depression.
(2) Social isolation can lead to avoidance of social events, gradual or sudden distancing of the individual from interaction with others.
(3) Low self-confidence: a continuous cyber attack affects the victim by damaging self-confidence and feeling less valuable.
(4) Sleep and eating disorders: constant stress in the victim can lead to eating problems in terms of overeating or loss of appetite, as well as sleep difficulties, including nightmares and insomnia.
(5) Problems with learning/concentration: in children and young people who are victims of cyberbullying, there may be a decrease in concentration and will to learn, poor grades and avoiding classes.
The consequences of cyberbullying are complex, and the manifestations often coincide, but it is important to note that each individual reacts differently to this form of violence. When dealing with the emotional consequences of cyberbullying, the cooperation of experts, family and friends is important for the victim. For this reason, prevention and awareness of cyberbullying plays an important role in preserving the mental health of Internet users, especially children and young people.
| “Objavljivanje ovog teksta je finansirano grantom Ministarstva vanjskih poslova Sjedinjenih Američkih Država (Department of State). Mišljenja, nalazi i zaključci koji su ovdje navedeni pripadaju autorima i ne odražavaju nužno mišljenja, nalaze i zaključke Ministarstva vanjskih poslova Sjedinjenih Američkih Država.“ “This article was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State”. |  |