By Seli Baisie
In today’s digital age, social media has become a central part of our lives—connecting us, informing us, and in some cases, harming us. While these platforms offer immense benefits, they have also made it easier for bullies to hide behind screens and spread hate with a few keystrokes.
Tokunaga (2010), defined cyberbullying as “any behavior performed through electronic or digital media by individuals or groups that repeatedly communicate hostile and aggressive messages intended to inflict harm or discomfort on others”. In other words, any online act that humiliates, discredits, disrespects, or emotionally harms another individual can be considered cyberbullying.
Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying often occurs anonymously, allowing perpetrators to evade accountability while causing serious emotional damage. Victims—whether children, teenagers, or adults—can suffer from social isolation, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts or actions.
Recent reports reveal the troubling scale of the issue. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, online hate speech in the UK and US has risen by 20%. Over 50 million online conversations involved racist hate speech, with spikes occurring during global events such as the Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020 and the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have become breeding grounds for bullies. From faceless trolls targeting public figures to so-called bloggers fabricating stories for clicks, the damage caused by such behavior is real. What many fail to recognize is that public figures are human too—subject to the same emotional struggles as anyone else.
Unfortunately, the myth persists that online communication is somehow separate from “real life”. But behind every post or comment is a person with feelings. The divide between digital and physical interactions is blurred, especially in a world where our digital presence often reflects our social identity.
Cyberbullying also has serious implications for children. Research shows that 32% of children who are cyberbullied report experiencing sadness, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. For a child already struggling with insecurities, being mocked online can severely damage their self-worth and mental health.
Experts believe that young people’s strong need for social acceptance amplifies the psychological effects of online abuse. The desire to belong can make criticism more painful, and rejection more devastating—leading to long-term emotional consequences.
So, what can be done?
First, victims must be encouraged to report abuse to the relevant social media platforms and save evidence through screenshots. If abuse continues, it should be reported to law enforcement. At the same time, platforms themselves must strengthen moderation systems and hold users accountable for harmful behavior.
As a society, we must take cyberbullying seriously. The effects are not just digital—they are deeply human.
