The Psychology of the Swamp No. 7: Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is different than workplace or school bullying in that it is difficult to describe and identify. Cyberbullying occurs across personal digital devices and social, and public media and often involves negative, false, and harmful information that damages self-worth, self-esteem, or the character of another person.  In general, cyberbullying intimidates others, is threatening, menacing and causes mental duress. The definition of cyberbullying is very personal and can be different among varies cultures, industries, and political regions. To harm one's self-worth, cyberbullying may target personal values, and beliefs. To harm one's self-esteem, cyberbullying would seek to destroy one's personal beliefs about their gifts, talents, and abilities.  The character assassination of cyberbully seeks to destroy personal credibility by spreading rumors, and misinformation that is convoluted enough to bring into question the victim's ethics, morals, core values, and integrity. Because cyberbullying damages self-worth, self-esteem, and character the tangible evidence of a crime can be evasive and difficult to describe and identity; however, the damage that is done by cyberbullying is insidious because it can reduce communication and trust and create a global fight or flight mentality.