Most people may think that it is easier to deal with cyberbullying than face-to-face taunting, as there's no personal interaction between the two parties.
However, it is precisely because the victim doesn't see his or her bully that makes the ordeal even harder to process, as other people can easily join in on the bullying, reports Science Daily. The lack of personal contact may also make the victims feel more alone, even if there are friends who step in to help.
“Teenagers can't emotionally process these painful experiences in the same way they do their face-to-face equivalents. There aren't the same opportunities online,” says Dr. Hollie Sobel of the Family Institute.
She stresses the importance of having teens and their parents know the vital nuances of online and offline bullying. “Despite these differences, however, a victim's level of assertion doesn't vary whether the bullying occurs online or in person. The impact is just as resonant, only these incidents happen in the isolation of the internet where social support, which is so important for coping, is absent.”
Open communication lines among family members may help bullied teens cope with these issues. However, parents should also be wary of the warning signs of depression as such cases may warrant professional help.
(Photo by martinak15 via Flickr Creative Commons)
