Cyberbullying and Depression in Teenagers
When harassment and intimidation take place online, it’s called cyberbullying. Internet bullying can occur through simple emails, instant messages, or postings created by others on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Name-calling, spreading rumors, and circulating pictures to tease someone are common forms of bullying. Cyberbullies can remain anonymous, making victims feel even more isolated, helpless, or dehumanized.
On the Rise
Cyberbullying is on the rise among teens. According to data from the Cyberbullying Research Center, 17.4 percent of students said they were a target of cyberbullying in 2019. That figure went up from 16.5 percent in 2016. Over half of the teens (52.7 percent)—an increase from 38. 6 percent in 2016—reported being bullied in the last 30 days.
Cyberbullying and Depression
The growing prevalence of online cyberbullying has led to a new issue—depression in teenagers. Teens who are victims of cyberbullying can experience symptoms of depression, including sadness, loneliness, insecurity, poor self-esteem, isolation, academic decline, and suicidal thoughts. It's becoming all too common to hear a news report of a teenager committing suicide after being the victim of online harassment.
As a parent, it can be difficult to know if your teenager has become the victim of cyberbullying, as many studies have found that adolescents and teenagers rarely tell an adult about what they’re experiencing. According to StopBullying.gov, some of the signs to watch for in your teen include:
- Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities they previously enjoyed
- An unexplained drop in grades
- Refusing to go to school, specific classes, or certain group activities
- Changes in mood, behavior, sleep, and appetite
- Avoiding discussions or becoming secretive about cell phone or computer activities
If your teen exhibits any of these symptoms, talk to a psychiatrist for depression in Tallahassee, FL. The psychiatrist can instruct you on how to handle the situation.
Tips for Parents
One of the best ways to prevent your teen from experiencing the damaging effects of cyberbullying is to stop it from occurring in the first place. But if your teen has become a victim of online bullying, a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety may be able to help. Unlike other forms of in-person bullying, cyberbullying can continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When victims can't identify their online harassers, they feel as though everyone is against them.
One of the most important things a parent can do to prevent or uncover cyberbullying of their teen is to keep the lines of communication open. Get your teen to talk to you about their online life. Use parental control apps on your teen’s smartphone or tablet and set up filters on your teen’s computer to help you monitor your child’s online activities. Make sure you know your child’s passwords and learn the common acronyms kids use online, in social media, and in text messages.
Know who your teen’s friends are and check out your teen’s online communications. Encourage your teen to tell you if they receive threatening messages or are otherwise targeted by cyberbullies. Search for your teen’s name on the internet to make sure no negative or false information has been posted about him or her. If bullying behavior is identified, notify the website or application’s administration immediately and request that an investigation be launched into the incident. Notifying your teen’s school about cyberbullying may be helpful if the bully can be identified.
Contact Florida First Psychiatry Specialist at (850) 765-8120 for more information about cyberbullying.
Florida First Psychiatry Specialist
Dr. Prasanti Tatini, Psychiatrist
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