Bullying has become a widespread issue in recent years, especially with the development of smartphones and mobile technology. Teens and school-age children in the “digital era” now have entirely new ways to bully and be bullied by their fellow peers. Whether you’re a parent, a peer, or just a person on the sidelines, you may have noticed the effects of mobile bullying and cyberbullying on someone you know. This guide explains what to look for in digital bullying and how you can avoid it in the future.
Different Forms Of Mobile Bullying And Cyber Bullying
Most people associate mobile bullying with text messaging because that is the predominant mode of communication for children and teens in the modern world. With that side, there are multiple forms of digital bullying that you need to watch out for. Some of these include:
- Text Messaging: Bullies get the numbers of their victims and then send hateful text messages to them. This could happen through the bully’s phone or through someone else’s phone, depending on the situation.
- Phone Calls: Harassing phone calls are another form of mobile bullying, and they can happen at any time in the day. Even if a victim ignores a bully’s phone calls once he figures out who the person is, he may not know to avoid phone calls from other people’s numbers. If the victim continues not to answer, the repeated calls alone might be enough to create a feeling of pressure and fear.
- Voicemails: Some bullies take phone calls to the next level by leaving mean voice messages for their victims. This is usually at the end of a long series of calls the victim did not answer.
- Facebook Updates: Facebook updates may come in through an email, a smartphone alert, or a notification on Facebook itself. This opens the door for a new slew of threats and comments from bullies, coming directly from the web.
- Emails: Smartphone users may also receive emails to their phones, leaving even more opportunities for mobile bullies to abuse them.
Childhood bullying is now easier to commit than ever. If someone you know is the victim of mobile bullying, help them seek counseling or therapy right away to deal with their emotions, and move past this difficult time in life.