The Effects Cyberbullying Can Have on a Teenager

Teenagers are technologically savvy, which makes them vulnerable to cyberbullying on the internet through email and social network sites. Examples of cyberbullying include sending threatening emails and text messages, duping teens into revealing private or embarrassing information and passing it on, hacking into a teen's email or social network account and sending fake messages to others and creating web pages to ridicule a teen. Any type of cyberbullying can cause stress and anguish.

Stress

• Cyberbullying causes stress for teens because they may feel as though they cannot escape it. If they avoid computer use, they may feel isolated and alienated from their peers. If a teen receives angry, threatening messages, he may feel afraid in his own home, at school or in public places, especially if he has no idea who is sending the messages. Teens feel helpless and don't know how to get help to combat cyberbullying.

Low Self-Esteem

• Cyberbullies can be very harsh in their negative comments via text message or online postings because as it is easier than making cruel remarks face to face. Belittling a teen can affect her self-esteem to the point where her school performance suffers and her grades slip. She may feel unpopular and avoid social groups or friends. She may not want to try out for sports or other activities.

Depression and Suicide

• Teens who are targeted by a cyberbully may become withdrawn and depressed. A 2008 review conducted at the Yale School of Medicine surveyed research studies from 13 countries and found a connection between being bullied and suicide in young people. Interestingly enough, Young-Shin Kim, M.D., assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine's Child Study Center, reported that the review also showed that bullies were at high risk for suicidal behavior as well as the victims.

What to Do About Cyberbullying

• Anyone experiencing cyberbullying should resist the urge to respond to the bully in any way. If the cyberbully knows they are getting to you emotionally, he will continue. Do not, however, delete any of a cyberbully's messages on IMs, chats, text messages, websites or blog posts because the police can trace them. Report any cyberbullying to your internet, mobile phone or instant messaging provider and to the local police. When the cyberbully is a student, report him to his school.

How to Prevent Cyberbullying

• Take precautions against cyberbullying. Never share private information or exchange photos with strangers on the internet. Don't engage in conversations with people you don't know. Parents can set their teen's social networking account to private so that strangers cannot see their photos or personal information on the site. Parents should ensure that a teen's computer is located in a common area of the house so that they can check in and see what their son or daughter is up to at any time on the computer.