Abstract
Cyberbullying, which internet users have faced especially in recent years, is a new type of bullying that has emerged with the widespread use of the internet. It is expressed as bullying using technological platforms with internet access. It includes repetitive behaviors aimed at intimidating, angering, or embarrassing target individuals. Since the number of victims of cyberbullying is increasing day by day, it is an important social problem that should be detected early, and precautions should be taken with protective strategies. In this chapter, there is information about cyberbullying, cyberbullying behaviors, cyberbullying tools, types of cyberbullying, the frequency of cyberbullying, the causes of cyberbullying, the roles of cyberbullying, the effects of cyberbullying, what to do when faced with cyberbullying, and precautions to be taken.
TopCyberbullying
Internet and communication technologies, which continue to develop and become widespread at full speed today, have changed the social attitudes and behaviors of individuals (Li, Cross, & Smith, 2012). Changes have brought many innovations to individuals in accessing, storing and sharing information. One of these innovations is the transfer of communication between individuals to social networks, which are virtual environments. In this way, it makes it possible for individuals to communicate with each other very quickly, easily and in a different way, regardless of time and place (Bulunmaz, 2015). This situation brings with it some new dangers that we may encounter in real life. One of these dangers is cyberbullying. (Ekinci & Kayapalı Yıldırım, 2020; Gámez-Guadix, Orue, Smith & Calvete, 2013). Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that takes place using digital technologies. It is also expressed as bullying using technological platforms with internet access. The absence of barriers between people on technological platforms makes it possible for users to behave cruelly towards each other (Bulunmaz, 2015).
In cyberbullying, deliberate and repetitive harming the victim through electronic text comes to the fore (Patchin & Hinduja, 2006). It can be defined as the exposure of people to bullying or bullying practices through image and video broadcasts, e-mails, chat rooms, text messages, social media environments such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or electronic communication devices such as mobile phones (Ekinci & Kayapalı Yıldırım, 2020). The concept of cyberbullying was first used by Canadian pedagogue Bill Belsey in 2004. According to Belsey, “Cyberbullying is the use of information and communication technologies to support the deliberate, repeated and hostile behavior of an individual or group that aims to harm others” (Belsey, 2005). According to Willard, “it is a way of being cruel to others by sending or encouraging others to send harmful materials, engaging in other forms of social aggression using the internet or other digital technologies” (Willard, 2007). Kowalski and Limber (2007) define cyberbullying as “bullying via e-mail and instant messaging, in a chat room, on a website or via a text message sent to a mobile phone”; Hinduja and Patchin (2008) define cyberbullying as “intentional and repeated harm through the use of electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones”. According to Smith et al. (2008) it is “an aggressive, deliberate act by a group or individual against a victim who cannot easily defend himself, using electronic forms of communication, repeatedly and over time”. “Intentionally repetitive acts with the aim of threatening, harassing, embarrassing others through electronic means or devices” (Chun, Lee, Kim & Lee, 2020). “Cyberbullying is deliberate, cruel and repeated behavior among peers through electronic media” (Olweus, 2012). According to Campbell (2005), cyberbullying is also defined as “individuals torment and harm others by using various forms of technology such as e-mail, instant messages, chat rooms, and websites”. When we look at the literature, it is seen that there are close and inclusive definitions of cyberbullying. Based on all these definitions, cyberbullying is the deliberate act of harming by using information communication technologies (ICT).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Internet: It is a computer and information communication network, which has emerged as a result of the interconnection of computer networks in the world, without any limitations and administrators.
Cyberbullying: It is the repetitive act of aggressive behavior towards the cyber victim in a digital environment.
Information and Communication Technologies: All kinds of visual, audio, printed and written tools that enable access to information and creation of information.
Social media: It is a simple, easy, and digital way of access, conversion, interaction and connection (communication, sharing, messaging, information exchange, promotion, advertising, etc.) among people.
Technology: All of the knowledge, skills, methods and processes that develop, change and even transform the environment used to achieve the goal to meet the needs and desires of individuals.
Cyber: It is the reflection of the real world to the digital environment.
Digital Technology: It is a type of technology that works by itself without human touch as a result of programming technological products.
Bullying: Aggressive behavior in which one person intentionally and repeatedly harms or causes discomfort to another.