Learn How To Detect The Early Signs of Cyberbullying

The accessibility of technology has been a boon for most of us; with the rise of technology and AI, life hasn’t been much easier, but a rise in popularity also accounts for a rise in cybersecurity threats and privacy concerns. Cyberbullying has been a raging issue since the birth of the Internet, and many people have fallen into the trap of vicious trollers, scammers, and online bullies. As cyberbullying can be a silent killer, it is important to sensitise & educate yourself about the different signs of cyberbullying & its prevention.  

Disclaimer: We will be discussing sensitive topics about depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide as the major warning signs of cyberbullying.

Warning Signs Of Cyberbullying

The warning signs of cyberbullying are usually unseen & easily recognizable by people. Even though signs of cyberbullying can vary from person to person; here are a few warning signs of cyberbullying you should look out for:‍

1. Decreased Digital Presence 

Someone who has been the brunt of cyberbullying will try to cut off social media or erase traces of their digital identity. The victim will try to restrict their social media activities like posting updates, sharing pictures, or interacting online with people. Some people might take the extreme step of deactivating or wiping out their social media accounts. These warning signs of cyberbullying are due to emotional distress, preventing any future harassment or loss of interest in social media. 

2. Increased Isolation 

Cyberbullying victims usually tend to isolate & slowly withdraw themselves from their close friends and family. For most people, isolation works as an unhealthy coping mechanism that helps them to protect themselves from any further cyberbullying & danger.  Even though self-isolation might look very harmless on the surface, it can aggravate other mental disorders like depression & anxiety. 

3. Emotional Outbursts

Emotional outbursts are one of the most common signs of cyberbullying; for young people, the common reaction to cyberbullying is extensive mood swings or erupting emotions like anger, sadness, fear, embarrassment, shame, etc. Anger and sadness usually stem from the situation or what is happening around them, whereas fear & embarrassment typically surface due to humiliation & deep stigma.  

4. Changed Attitude Towards Social Media

Social media is a fun way of sharing your happy memories, achievements, trips or getting your daily laughing dose from meme pages. But this kind of flowery social media image is completely tarnished for cyberbullying victims. The use of social media from being a fun activity becomes a dreadful experience for many victims, which is one of the big warning signs of cyberbullying. Victims usually develop a negative perception of social media due to traumatic experiences. 

5. Plunged Self Esteem 

Cyberbullying aims directly at your self-esteem; it is one of the worst signs of cyberbullying, especially when someone is susceptible or vulnerable. Negative comments, unsolicited opinions, mean words, and leaking information can attack one’s image & make someone feel worthless. It is important to remember that words cut like a knife & have a lot more power than imagined. For a long time, social media has been grabbed at its throat for puncturing a lot of people’s self-esteem and spreading false narratives about perfection and idealism. 

Did you know that “cyberbullying” is an actual crime? Check our guide to cyberbullying laws to be a responsible and informed citizen.

Effects Of Cyberbullying

The effects of cyberbullying can be harrowing & long-lasting,; in some cases permanent on the child’s physical & mental health. Here are some of the effects of cyberbullying that are most commonly found:

Physical Effects Of Cyberbullying

“Your mind is connected & intertwined with your body”; your thought process, emotions, & feelings have a huge impact on your physical functioning. The impact of cyberbullying is not only related to your mental; but also drastically changes your biological well-being. Here are some of the physical effects of cyberbullying:  

1. Insomnia

Cyberbullying can significantly affect your sleep cycle; online bully victims often find themselves in constant fight & flight mode due to high anxiety and stress levels. Victims facing the sharp knife of getting bullied are often occupied with thoughts about their negative online interactions. This vicious cycle of pondering often occurs at night when your anxiety and stress levels peak and your mind wanders freely; this rumination often leads to insomnia. This is also one of the warning signs of cyberbullying.

2. Headaches & Stomach Pains  

Your mental problems can manifest into physical problems in the blink of an eye. Your endocrine and nervous systems play an essential role in keeping your stress levels in check; releasing stress hormones like cortisol will cause friction in your blood flow, digestive system, and immune responses. Hence, all this deep stress, anxiety, loss of sleep, and emotional distress show up physically as headaches, stomach pain, and fatigue. 

3. Disordered Eating

Disordered eating is also one of the common cyberbullying signs that are seen across many teenagers. Cyberbullying victims are usually seen in extreme unhealthy food habits like binge- eating or skipping meals, which can also be an onset to harmful eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. A large chunk of cyberbullying is usually circled around body shaming and negative opinions on one’s appearance. These comments feed into insecurities, which later cultivate into body image issues. It is important to note that not everyone will exhibit the same signs of cyberbullying, and it differs from person to person. 

Mental Effects Of Cyberbullying

Many cyberbullying victims have to go through a lot of mental anguish & trauma, which harms their overall well-being. Here are some mental effects of cyberbullying:

1. Suicidal Thoughts 

According to ResearchGate and ScienceDaily, a person likely to suffer from cyberbullying is 1.9 times more likely to commit suicide due to depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, the figures for total deaths due to cyberbullying have steadily increased. Many innocent victims view suicide as a last resort due to an overwhelming combination of extreme depression, isolation, hopelessness, stigmatization, intense online bullying, & ignorance of signs of cyberbullying.

2. Depression 

Depression is an ever-looming pandemic and one of the best indicators of cyberbullying. Many bullied individuals live with high stress, anxiety, and worry, which robs them of the joys of life, doing daily activities, & maintaining relationships. Many researchers have seen depression being an influential factor in making them feel hopeless, powerless, & non-worthy. These signs of cyberbullying have also seen people spiral into serious conditions like substance abuse & suicidal thoughts.

3. Self-harm

Self-harm is seen as a very dangerous and life-threatening coping mechanism while dealing with signs of cyberbullying. Expert research has emphasised that cyberbullying has made people twice as likely to self-harm. Self-harming behaviour is seen as expressing distress, gaining control, or responding to an intrusive thought, all of which are possible reactions of cyberbullying victims. 

Check out our blog on how to prevent cyberbullying to take the right steps to your well-being. 

In conclusion, if you or someone you know is suffering from the signs of cyberbullying, you should seek help from a mental health professional or openly communicate with your loved one. It is advised not to ignore the physical and mental cyberbullying signs, as this can be life-threatening or leave you with irreversible damage.