EFFECTS OF CYBERBULLYING AND THE WAY FORWARD FOR VICTIMS

 

In my previous article, I wrote about the meaning of cyberbullying and the rate at which this menace have increased. The huge pandemic that is often not discussed on social media platforms but on daily basis has gotten a grip on most women, feeding into their minds by breaking down their self esteem and confidence. What causes one to attack another individual online may be many but a few has been mentioned which include envy, jealousy, anxiety and others.

 

Most at times, when cyberbullying occurs, victims are often overlooked as to what they might be going through at that time. The public intend to focus on the false news that is being circulated forgetting about the mental health of the victim. The effects of cyberbullying victims are stronger since there is no escape from online bullies. Some of the effects may include:

 

Suicidal thoughts

Most victims have lost their sense of existence due to false publications, rumors and lies written about them. If that could only be enough, the level of negative response they read about the false publication often lead to inevitable situations. The only alternative that comes in mind for someone who isn’t mentally fit is to end it all by seeing death as the only escape plan. Many circumstances of these victims might be social issue related such as being marginalized, belonging to low social class or false rumors. Everyone deserves to be heard especially when they are incessantly oppressed and abused online but if they decide to keep quiet, they rather take matters into their own hands by finding solace in death.

 

Depression

Cyberbullying victims are often depressed. They come to a state where they lose their sense of belonging so the best elucidation for most of them is to isolate themselves from social groups and refraining from personal relationship. Mostly, victims who go through depression tend to be in isolated environment to avoid social interactions.

 

Low of Self Esteem

Generally, self esteem helps an individual to have its purpose and personal power to achieve goals in life. Cyberbullies capitalize on the weakness of their victims by breaking them. Gradually if it works they become their masters since their victims lose their self esteem. Losing your self esteem not only affects your personal power and purpose but your mental health is deeply affected. Therefore, victims become more fearful and pessimistic about their personal achievements. Their self worth also comes into question, if they are capable of being better.

 

If victims are often overlooked and not concerned within the society what is the way forward for these victims to ensure that they feel safe from cyberbullying.

 

Believe in Your Power

 Most at times, what victims of cyberbullying tend to forget is that they also have the power to choose what is being said about them on social media platforms. Cyberbullies are equally afraid of the consequences of their actions therefore they hide behind fake accounts to engage in such social deviance. It is up to the victim to block such people or report the situation to the website in order to feel protected and safe.

Stay off Social Media

The best remedy for mental health development is to stay away from social media. This will enable you to relax and re-energize your efforts in building yourself and challenging your thinking capacity as an individual to achieve your goals through competence and determination. What you have to understand is that social media is a world on its own. It comes with its own benefits and challenges. It is up to the individual to make a personal decision on how to use social media on daily basis.

 

Build your Self Esteem

In a book written by Brian Tracy which talks about the power of self confidence he stated that, the flip side of self esteem is what psychologist calls it Self- efficacy. He further defined that “Self-efficacy is a measure of how effective and competent you feel you are to perform a particular task or to achieve your goals” Therefore if your eyes are zoned in to your goals in building yourself, you will have the less time to focus on what cyberbullies have to write about you.

 

 Nevertheless, to all cyberbully victims believe in what you can do and the impact you can give to the world. It is the only thing that will make your dreams become a reality. For the cyberbullies, my question is, if you ever come face to face with your victims, will you have the courage to say all the lies you have written about them? Your guess is as good as mine.