‘The monster beyond the screen’
Cultural Artefact
The cultural artefact shown above is of a portrait by Adam Gillespie, which
effectively conveys the symbolic implications cyber-bullying has on its
victims. The source of this artefact, the ‘You Will Rise Project’, is a website
which seeks to provide a creative outlet for those who have been bullied
to share their personal experiences through art, and to spread awareness
of this prevalent issue. The portrait of the teenager portrays feelings of
fear, sadness and a sense of ‘losing one’s voice’ as represented by the
computer mouse covering his mouth. This artefact is a valuable expression
of how significant cyber-bullying is to public health.
Public Health Issue
It is evident that over time, bullying has transcended from that of
schoolyard harassment into a new form of abusive behaviour in which
there is an element of ubiquity and the ability for perpetrators to remain
anonymous to their victims. Labelled as the digital generation, children and
adolescents are frequently using the internet as a resource for information,
entertainment purposes or as tool to connect with peers through social
media platforms. As a consequence of technology evolving, the
opportunity for cyber-bullying also increases, enabling the psychological
wellbeing of victims to be violated. This provokes a demand for the public
to evaluate the negative health outcomes associated with cyber bullying
and develop strategies to prevent it.
Literature Review
Cyber bulling can be defined by the Parliament of Australia as ‘any cyber
communication or publication posted or sent by means of instant message,
email, interactive games, social media or any interactive device used with the
intention of frightening, embarrassing, excluding or intimidating of a minor’.
With the increase in exposure to technology among children and adolescents,
social media and online communication has formed an integral outlet for
young people to sustain peer relationships and social networks. Despite the
numerous benefits attributed to technology, human behaviour on the internet
has found to be both positive and negative, the latter being that of
encouragement of antisocial behaviour and increased loneliness among users
(Campbell, 2005). This illustrates that bullying did not originate from the rise of
technology but rather the misuse of it, provided a different mechanism for
perpetrators of cyber-bullying to cause distress for their victims.
As a result of cyber-bulling being a relatively new subject of research, there is
not a large volume of literature to provide insight, however it is a popular field
of interest. Those that are at high risk for being harassed online include those
individuals that are overweight, have physical or learning disabilities or those
who align with being gay, lesbian or bisexual (Kowalski, Limber, & Agaston,
2008). These high-risk groups parallel that of those targeted in traditional
face-to-face bulling, implying that the targets for harassment are the same
whether they are online or offline, just the medium for which it is instigated is
different.
Due to the pervasive nature of cyber-bullying it is overwhelmingly problematic
in addressing the issue and the various negative health outcomes, which
ensue. The Mental Health Council of Australia (2010) reiterates this notion,
placing emphasis of the lasting psychological implications this type of
denigrating behaviour can have on young people. There is strong correlation
between those who are victimised and those experiencing depression,
anxiety, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. Hinduja & Patchin (2010)
discuss this link between low levels of self-esteem and cyber bullying,
reinforced by a study showing that those who reported being cyber bullied
scored low on measures of self-esteem. This suggests that victims have little
self worth due to the actions of perpetrators which can continue into
adulthood, leaving them feeling like they have no control over their lives,
There is also evidence to suggest that depression is more common among
those excluded online by peers in comparison to physical violence in face-toface bulling, as victims have a strong desire to belong (Kowalski, Limber, &
Agaston, 2008). Suicide or ‘cyberbullicide’ is yet another significant
psychological outcome of cyber bullying which represents the anguish among
victims, that leads them to perceive suicide as the only option to escaping the
abuse (Hindua & Patchin, 2010). This is a tragic outcome, which demands the
public to redress the issue to prevent victims resorting to these measures.
In regards to the perceptions of cyber bullying among the different genders,
there are variances. Overall both genders (between age 13-17) hold the view
that experimenting with social media and expanding friendship groups are
positive aspects outweighing the potential risks of cyberbullying. However
females were more likely to be affected by the abuse perceiving it to be a
personal attack, whereas males were more likely to ignore acts of abuse
(Australian Communications and Media Authority, 2009)
Considering cyber bullying is such a complex issue to address and combat, it
is important to initiate awareness and strategies, which will help alleviate its
incidence. Australia was one of the first nations to establish an integrated
policy, creating the National Safe Schools Framework in 2003 in an attempt to
provide solutions for students, parents and teachers in managing bullying and
aggressive behaviours (Cross, Epstein, Hearn, Slee, Shaw and Monks, 2011).
This suggests a positive approach to identifying cyber bullying as a serious
threat to the wellbeing of children and adolescents. The strategies produced
include firstly, educating schools, student and parents of the extent of the
issue and its dissemination in homes as well as schools, secondly,
supervision of online activity by parents/teachers and finally supplying support
systems for victims so as to address psychological response to abuse before
it escalates to depression or suicidal thoughts (Campbell, 2005).
Whilst, deleting and removing the online presence of the perpetrator on social
media is deemed the most logical solution, it is evident that children and
adolescents struggle to ignore all forms of social networking in fear of missing
out.
Cultural and Social Analysis
Tajfel’s and Turner’s 1979 ‘Social Identity Theory’ was instrumental in
explaining intergroup behaviour based upon perceived status differences
between groups and the movement between those groups. This theory helps
to better understand cyber bullying as it pertains to whether a victim feels
supported or alienated by bystanders who are witness to the abuse. If
bystanders are not active in trying to stop the harassment, this is consistent
with perceptions of in-group solidarity between bystander and perpetrator
(Leman & Tenenbaum, 2014). Bystanders may want to the help the victim, but
fail to due to fear of being persecuted themselves.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1943) can also relate to cyber bullying and how
victims needs are not being met to achieve physical and mental well being.
The four levels of needs, physiological, safety, love and belonging and
esteem are not being met in the case of cyber bullying. These needs are
violated, depriving them of a sense of belonging and self-esteem that each
individual deserves. Without these growth needs being met, victims of cyber
bullying are not able to reach self-fulfilment.
Analysis of Artefact & Reflection
This artefact was a powerful representation of the psychological effects cyber
bullying has on the individual. The portrait effectively portrays the
manifestations of this abuse, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and fear.