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Cyber bullying is any act of intimidation, aggression, harassment, and/or terrorising or domineering behaviour enacted and made possible via the use of digital communication devices, specifically the Internet and mobile phones and repeated over time. The term cyber bullying was coined by Canadian Bill Belsey ([1])and is rooted in traditional physical or psychological bullying where the aggressor’s objective is to cause hurt or harm to their victim ([2]). Put simply, cyber bullies use technology to harm others.
Cyber bullying is one of the more worrying trends in adolescents' shift towards societal interaction over the Internet. The Internet proposes complete anonymity and, in some cases, freedom from prosecution for bullies. Traditional schoolyard taunts have morphed into a new venomous phenomenon, cyber bulling, which, some researchers say, is likely to cause significantly more, longer-lasting psychological damage ([3]) than forms of traditional bullying. This can be attributed to the longevity and physical reality of the written word.
Not surprisingly, traditional methods of bullying relying on an imbalance of predominately physical power no longer apply in the cyber arena. Researchers suggest the written word, via e-mail, [MSN Messenger], SMS and personal blogs to name a few, can have a longer-lasting effect on the victim. Cyber abuse goes further than nasty gossip or a bloody nose; it is insidious, threatening and largely derogatory with obviously far-reaching access and consequences.
The technological and social convergence brought about as a result of developments in communication technology and access is creating interaction problems, particularly among users with an average age of 13 ([4]). Users are not bound by legal or social conventions and commonly agreed upon behavioural boundaries do not apply in cyberspace. Victims of cyber abuse often have no means of reproach or retaliation against cyber bullies, who are protected by freedom of speech and privacy laws. As the incidences of cyber bullying increase, which they undoubtedly will, the debate over whose rights are more important will rage on.
Cyber bullying is only just being acknowledged as a major issue for youth today and as such, much of the available information is in its infancy. Governments and authoritative bodies in Australia are struggling to cap the problem. Critics say kids will be kids and dimiss the generation of kids who tease, taunt and ridicule others over the Internet; breeding a level of social destruction not seen before.
