Cyberbullying: Contemporary Issue Teenagers Face Today

Adolescence: Contemporary Issues and Resources
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Physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development all converge during adolescence. However, many adolescents face a wide range of difficulties that compromise their health and ability to function. One-third of all Internet users are under 18, making up a large and growing demographic. New methods of interaction are made possible by digital devices. Another picture emerges, however, from surveys and media coverage in the Internet age. One of the downsides of youth internet use is the increased risk of bullying and cyberbullying. Adolescent depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, academic difficulties, and suicidal thoughts are some of the negative outcomes linked to cyberbullying (Zhu et al., 2021). Healthcare providers and teachers must therefore evaluate the situation and take appropriate action. This essay looks at how cyberbullying affects adolescents, how to screen for it, and how to help those bullied online.
Cyberbullying happens on computers, cell phones, tablets, and game consoles. Cyberbullies may spread abusive words, photographs, videos, and rumors on social media, chat rooms, online games, and other websites. External stresses include peer pressure, lack of parental supervision or support, exposure to violent or inappropriate online material, trouble dealing with emotions and conflicts, and lack of understanding or abilities to avoid or report cyberbullying (Zhu et al., 2021). The Pew Research Center found that 59% of U.S. youth had been cyberbullied, including harsh name-calling (42%), spreading false stories (32%), getting unwelcome sexual photos (25%), or physical threats (16%) (Vogels, 2022). Cyberbullying may create poor self-esteem, anxiety, despair, rage, humiliation, guilt, fear, loneliness, and hopelessness. Cyberbullying victims may lose interest in school, skip classes, or drop out. Cyberbullying victims may utilize drugs, drinking, cutting, or suicide to cope or escape their tormentors.
Healthcare providers can help identify cyberbullying among teenagers by doing thorough assessments during patient visits. These assessments can be done using standardized screening tools such as the Cyberbullying Questionnaire (CBQ) or the Cyber Victimization Scale (CVS) to measure the frequency and severity of cyberbullying victimization and its impact on the patient’s well-being (Barragán Martín et al., 2021). The teenager should be asked pointed questions regard...