Bullying vs Cyber Bullying
Between the terms bullying and cyber bullying, certain differences can be identified, even though both refers to the same kind of act. Bullying can be defined as intimidating another individual with the use of power and authority. This includes physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. Bullying occurs in various contexts in different magnitudes. Cyber Bullying, on the other hand, occurs through the usage of technology in the cyber space. In most cases, the target of cyber bullying is young people. A significant difference between bullying and cyber bullying is the difference in context that leads to a multitude of changes in the act of bullying. This article attempts to highlight this difference, through an understanding of the terms.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a type of abuse that involves the usage of a certain act again and again with an attempt to force one person’s power and authority over another. Bullying causes an imbalance of power that might be social or physical depending on the case. Most of the time, bullying is a result of the inability of a person to cope with a person who is being targeted. The basic types of bullying are verbal, physical, or emotional abuse. The method of bullying involves intimidating others. There are a few states which have even made laws against bullying, which highlight that it is a critical issue. There are different types of bullying which range from simple ways to complex ways of bullying. These activities are sometimes assisted by others.
Peer abuse is another term that is used to refer to bullying. This takes place in places of work and schools. Bullying can be seen in the interaction between two people in families, places of work, home, neighborhoods and even schools at times. Bullying is sometimes a reason for one’s migration from one place to another place. Bullying has been seen to occur between classes and groups and sometimes it has also been seen to have occurred in different countries or states. Simple Bullying is seen in a number of places such as buses while performing activities with group, bathroom and hallways.
What is Cyber Bullying?
The usage of information or technology for communication to assist in the hostile behavior of a person or some group of another person or group, which is repeatedly seen with the intention of harming the other person or group is referred to as Cyber Bullying. A common part of society has been seen to suffer from different types of Cyber Bullying. Cyber Bullying can be seen among different people, especially among young individuals or groups. Cyber bullying is the worst type of bullying. There are a number of campaigns around the world to raise awareness among people against it. These campaigns not only inform people, but also brings people together for a worthy cause against cyber bullying and attempt to make laws to avoid it in future times. With the advent of technology, Cyber Bullying occurs through cell phone text messages and emails on the internet. Cyber Bullying, unlike personal bullying, is difficult to detect because it is easy to act in Cyber Bullying as an individual that might even not exist in the real world. Cyber Bullying involves sending threats and sexual comments via emails just to embarrass some person. Cyber bully, however, allows the bully to hide himself making it difficult for the victim to identify the bully and easy for the bully to make problems for someone. Prevention of simple type of bullying is easier as the person who is bulling is identified, and you can take action against him while cyber bullying does not allow you to do so.
What is the Difference Between Bullying and Cyber Bullying?
- Bullying is intimidating another individual with the use of power and authority in real social contexts whereas Cyber bullying, occurs through the usage of technology within the cyber space.
- In Bullying the person who bullies the other can be easily identified, but in Cyber bullying this is difficult.
- Action can be taken on bullies, but it is difficult to do so with Cyber bullies.
- People of all ages can be victims of bullying, but victims of Cyber bullying are mostly limited to the youth.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Rebecca1917version” [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons –
2.”Texting” by Alton [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
