CYBERBULLY Meaning and
Definition
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A "cyberbully" refers to an individual who engages in the act of bullying using electronic or digital means, typically online platforms such as social media, messaging applications, or email. Cyberbullying involves the deliberate and repeated use of technology to harass, intimidate, or harm another person, often targeting them with offensive, hurtful, or threatening messages, comments, or posts.
Cyberbullies use the anonymity and distance provided by the internet to bully their victims without facing direct consequences or the need to confront them face-to-face. Their actions may include spreading rumors, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, manipulating or altering someone's personal information, sending abusive messages, or inciting others to participate in the harassment. The impact of cyberbullying can be severe, causing significant emotional distress, self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, and even leading to self-harm or suicide in extreme cases.
Efforts to combat cyberbullying involve increasing awareness about its harmful effects and implementing preventive measures and educational programs to promote responsible online behavior. Schools, parents, and online platforms often work together to provide support systems, reporting mechanisms, and enforce policies that discourage and punish cyberbullying.
The rise of cyberbullying parallels the widespread use of digital technologies and social media platforms, highlighting the importance of fostering a safe online environment while fostering empathy, understanding, and respect for others.
Etymology of CYBERBULLY
The word "cyberbully" is a combination of "cyber", which refers to the digital world and technology, and "bully", which means one who intimidates, harasses, or dominates others.
The term "cyberbully" originated in the late 20th century as a response to the rise of internet and digital communication. The concept of bullying had already existed for centuries, but the advent of the internet and the subsequent increase in online harassment and intimidation led to the coining of this new term.
The prefix "cyber" comes from the word "cybernetics", which pertains to control systems and communication in humans and machines. It gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s with the development of computer science and the rise of electronic computers.
Similar spelling words for CYBERBULLY
